King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels – 17:00

It’s nearly upon us, the crunch qualifying match between Belgium and Wales. Although it was only last month it seems so long ago since the double header against Bosnia-Hercegovina and Cyprus in Cardiff, but luckily international football is finally back!

Coleman, for once, has very few injury problems in his squad. Jonny Williams is one noteworthy omission after picking up an injury for Ipswich against Watford. Andy King is suspended after his red card against Cyprus but Gareth Bale is back to full fitness after recovering from his buttock injury.

The Premier League duo of Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen return to the squad after missing the qualifying double header last month.

Belgium has a few more concerns than the Welsh camp, the most notable absentee being captain Vincent Kompany, who is missing after picking up a calf strain. This could see the defensive pairing of Nicolas Lombaerts and Toby Alderweireld at the back.

Wales go into the fixture as big underdogs and as the 34th best-ranked team in the world. They will be playing against a Belgium side that recently reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup and are currently fourth in the FIFA world rankings.

Playing the fourth best side in the world, at their home patch, in recent years would have been a daunting task for a travelling Welsh side, but not this time. There is a an unfamiliar optimism amongst many Welsh players, staff and fans alike, with many wondering if this could be the time for Chris Coleman’s men to produce a shock?

Before we get too carried away lets look at the previous games between the Red Dragons and the Red Devils.

Previous Encounters

Since their first encounter back in 1949 there have been a total of 10 fixtures between the two European nations. It is the Belgians who have the upper hand winning half of those ten games. The rest have ended with two Welsh wins and three draws.

Wales have never won in Belgium and have not beaten their opponents in the last four meetings. This run stretches to a 2-0 home victory back in 1993. The goals that day came from a stunning free kick struck by a youthful Ryan Giggs and calm header home by Ian Rush.

Last Meeting

15 October 2013 – Belgium 1-1 Wales

Kevin De Bruyne (64); Aaron Ramsey (88)

Wales snatched a late draw in Brussels to put a slight dampener on Belgium’s world cup qualifying party. Kevin De Bruyne had looked to give the home side the victory after seizing on a defensive mishap with 25 minutes left in the tie. Wales did not give up and got their just rewards with just a few minutes left on the clock. Craig Bellamy, in his 78th and final Welsh appearance, linked up with Aaron Ramsey who calmly slotted the ball under Thibaut Courtois to give Coleman’s men a hard earned point.

Star man – Eden Hazard

Chelsea star Eden Hazard is one of the best players in world football and has been nominated for this year’s ballon d’Or as a result. After making his debut in 2008, the former Lille man has already gained more than 50 caps for his country. He has just six goals but with no doubt be a constant threat on Sunday evening.

One to watch – Divock Origi

Divock Origi currently plays for Lille while on loan from parent club Liverpool. He could be seen in the Premier League as early as January if reports are accurate about the Merseyside club recalling him from France. At 19 years of age he has 11 caps and 3 goals for Belgium, including one from the bench against Iceland less than a week ago. He may not start as he battles with Christian Benteke and Romelu Lukaku for a starting spot but he is one to watch if he does feature and in the near future.

Last time out

Belgium 3-1 Iceland

Goals from Nicolas Lombaerts, Eden Hazard and Divock Origi were enough to see off an in form Iceland in friendly in Brussels. Lombaerts had given the home team the lead with just over 10 minutes gone but the lead lasted just two minutes with Finnbogason latching onto a corner on the back post.

A powerful strike from distance by Divock Origi restored the lead with Romelu ensuring the win tapping into an empty net in the 73rd minute.

Last Match Line-up

Starting XI: Courtois, Vanden Borre (Meunier), Alderweireld, Lombaerts, Vertonghan Fellaini, Dembele (Lukaku), Witzel, Hazard (Origi), Januzaj (Mertens), Benteke (Praet)

Subs Not Used: Nainggolan, De Bock, Mingolet, Gillet, Denayer, De Bruyne, Chadli