How Belgium could line up against Wales

11:30am on Tuesday 23rd March 2021
By Harry De Cosemo

Belgium and Wales will be looking to put Euro 2020 to the back of their minds as they begin their journey to reach the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday night.

The Red Devils are no strangers to Wales, having faced them in qualification before, as well as the quarter finals of Euro 2016, when Chris Coleman's side pulled off a historic upset.

Roberto Martinez may be without a few key players for this game in Leuven, but he has also received a timely boost this week.

Eden Hazard is obviously a huge miss for Belgium here, as his injury nightmares at Real Madrid continue, but his brother Thorgan should play. Axel Witsel is also missing, robbing Martinez of some much-needed craft and energy in midfield.

Elsewhere, Belgium are looking strong, with Kevin De Bruyne expected to start alongside Youri Tielemans in midfield.

The latter's Leicester City teammate Timothy Castagne is likely to start at wing-back, with Toby Alderweireld, Jason Denayer and Jan Vertonghen playing as part of a back three.

The big news is Romelu Lukaku's availability. Despite a COVID-19 outbreak at Inter, he has joined up with the squad after testing negative.