Belgium host Kazakhstan at Lotto Park in a Group J clash in the UEFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Belgians are looking to maintain a solid home record and face a Kazakhstani side, struggling on their travels.
Belgium have made an unbeaten start to their campaign in Group J, with two wins and a draw in their opening three matches. They come into this clash off the back of an impressive 6-0 away victory over Liechtenstein in their previous fixture.
Sitting third in the table with games in hand, the task for Belgium will be to maintain their momentum following that result in Kazakhstan. Rudi Garcia’s men have a good record in front of their fans, winning six of their last eight home matches in all competitions.
It has been a poor qualifying campaign for Kazakhstan, who have picked up one win from their four matches. They have lost the other three fixtures, including a 1-0 home defeat to Wales on Thursday.
These results are part of a poor overall record for Kazakhstan, who have lost eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions. They also struggle on their travels, losing nine of their last 10 away matches.
How the bookies view it: Bookies backing Belgium
The bookies have installed Belgium as overwhelming favourites, with a home win priced at 1/10 by BoyleSports. An unlikely victory for Kazakhstan is valued at 22/1, while a draw is set at odds of 6/1.
Head to head: Belgium hold the advantage
Belgium have a fine record in this fixture, picking up four wins and two draws from six previous matches against Kazakhstan. The last meeting between both teams was a Euro 2020 qualifying clash, with the Belgians claiming a 2-0 away victory.
Players to watch: De Bruyne to make a mark
Napoli star Kevin De Bruyne could be the spark for Belgium in this match, having found the net in the last two matches. With the captain providing the ammunition for the likes of Lois Openda and Jeremy Doku, the Belgians could be backed to score over 1.5 goals (Belgium over 1.5 goals – priced at 1/6 with BoyleSports).
Galymzhan Kenzhebek scored Kazakhstan’s last goal and could be the one to watch on Sunday. The forward has a good understanding with Maksim Samorodov, and both men can combine to produce over 0.5 goals (Kazakhstan over 0.5 goals – set at odds of 7/4).
Probable line-ups:
Belgium will be without striker Romelu Lukaku, who is currently sidelined with injury. Thomas Meunier should feature in defence alongside Zeno Debast. While Youri Tielemans should line up in midfield with De Bruyne, with Doku in attack alongside Openda.
For Kazakhstan, Mukhammedzhan Seysen should keep his place in goal, while Erkin Tapalov, Sergei Malyi and Nuraly Alip are set to feature in defence. Kenzhebek and Islam Chesnokov are expected in midfield, with Samorodov leading the attack.
Belgium: Courtois, Meunier, Debast, Theate, De Cuyper, Tielemans, De Bruyne, De Ketelaere, Doku, Fofana, Openda
Kazakhstan: Seysen; Tapalov, Astanov, Malyi, Alip, Vorogovsky; Kenzhebek, Chesnokov, Zhumat, Orazov; Samorodov
Anything else catch the eye?
There were over 1.5 first-half goals in Belgium’s win over Wales (First half over 1.5 goals – priced at 7/10 with BoyleSports). The hosts won both halves in their last two matches against Kazakhstan (Belgium to win both halves – valued at 20/23).
Belgium have scored at least three goals in three of their last four matches and could be backed in the handicap market (Belgium -2 handicap – offered at 20/21).
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