World Cup
Oct 15, 2013 8.00pm
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HT : 0 0
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  • Kevin de Bruyne 64' goal
  • yellowcard Craig Bellamy 79'
  • goal Aaron Ramsey 87'

Preview: Belgium vs. Wales

Belgium vs. Wales

Wales may have been out of World Cup qualification contention for some time, but they could still finish third in the standings if they were to collect a positive result in Brussels on Tuesday evening.

That does seam an unlikely feat, though, because not only would Chris Coleman's side need to beat group winners Belgium, but they would also require bottom-of-the-table Macedonia to defeat Serbia at the Gradski Stadion.

Of course, any result that Wales were to achieve would have to be attained without the presence of talisman Gareth Bale, who is injured.

The encounter will also mark Craig Bellamy's last in international football after the Cardiff City attacker recently confirmed his retirement from Wales duty.

Meanwhile, despite having already qualified, hosts Belgium are still expected to name a strong starting lineup for the clash. It should mean that Premier League-based Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Jan Vertonghen will all feature, although Tottenham Hotspur's Moussa Dembele is an injury doubt.

Wales have lost five of their nine meetings with the Red Devils, with their last win coming back in 1993 when Ryan Giggs was among the goalscorers.

Recent form

Belgium: WWWDWW

Wales: WLDLLW

Possible starting lineups

Belgium Courtois; Van Buyten, Vertonghen, Lombaerts, Alderweireld; Fellaini, Defour, Witsel, Hazard, De Bruyne; Lukaku

Wales: Myhill; Ricketts, Gunter, Williams, Davies; Collison, Ledley, Vaughan, Ramsey, Williams; Bellamy

Sports Mole says: 3-0

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