A World Cup qualifier with huge implications will take place on Monday night as Wales play host to Belgium.
The two nations are currently embroiled in a fierce battle with North Macedonia for top honours in Group J.
Craig Bellamy’s third-placed hosts have won three of their five group games to date, the most recent of which was a narrow 1-0 success away at Kazakhstan last month.
Having had no competitive fixture to fulfil in midweek, the Dragons warmed up for this crunch clash by falling to a 3-0 friendly defeat against England at Wembley.
As for Belgium, they are in danger of missing out on a place at next year’s World Cup after being held to a 0-0 draw when hosting North Macedonia on Friday night.
That being said, the Red Devils remain masters of their own destiny, as a win on Monday night would see them move to the summit of the section.
How the bookies view it: Belgium to bounce back
Despite Friday night’s aforementioned 0-0 draw against North Macedonia, Belgium will arrive in the Welsh capital as odds-on 8/13 favourites with Boylesports.
Wales are as big as 7/2 on Boylesports to take top honours on Monday night while a share of the Cardiff City Stadium spoils can be backed at 11/4 with the same bookmaker.
Head to head: Familiar foes
Having come up against each other in both World Cup qualifying and the Nations League in recent years, this fixture has been a recurring one on the international circuit of late.
Belgium ran out 4-3 winners when the pair crossed paths back in June, in a game that brought up two of my three selections.
Players to watch: Doku to deliver?
After registering two on-target efforts during Friday night’s stalemate with North Macedonia, Jeremy Doku looks worthy of support to hit the target at least once here at 10/11 on Ladbrokes.
Ethan Ampadu was shown a card during the reverse fixture and the Welsh midfielder looks a strong contender to tackle his way into trouble again here at 11/5 on Bet365.
Predicted line-ups
Wales manager Bellamy will be unable to call upon the services of injured duo Aaron Ramsey and Daniel James.
Belgium boss Rudi Garcia could make some changes to his starting XI following his side’s stumble on Friday night, though they will have to make do without injured midfielder Youri Tielemans.
Wales: Darlow; Williams, Mepham, Rodon, Davies; Ampadu, J. James; Johnson, Wilson, Thomas; Moore
Belgium: Courtois; Castagne, Debast, Theate, De Cuyper; Onana, Raskin; Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard; Openda
Anything else catch the eye?
Given that a draw doesn’t really suit either side here, backing both teams to score looks a little overpriced at 4/5 with Boylesports.
As alluded to, this bet would have been a winning one when the pair faced off in Brussels earlier this year.
It’s also worth noting that this selection would have proven profitable in Wales’ home win over Kazakhstan, as well as their draw away at North Macedonia.
GambleAware