The biggest Group B Euro 2012 qualifying match this Friday, June 12 is certainly the Wales vs Belgium showdown at Cardiff City Stadium in Wales. Both teams share the top of the group table with 11 points from identical undefeated records of three wins and two draws. However, Belgium takes the top spot due to their superior goal difference. The Belgian squad has scored 13 goals in their five outings and have allowed just one against for a plus-12 ranking. Wales is plus-five with seven goals for and two against.
Wales vs Belgium
- Euro 2016 Betting Preview – bet365 lists Belgium as the favorites to win the game at 8/11 with Wales 4/1 and a draw at 5/2
Each team needs to look in the rear view mirror since third-place Israel is right behind them with nine points, followed by Cyprus with six, Bosnia and Herzegovina at fine and Andorra with none. Belgium will have to face the Welsh without defender Vincent Kompany as he’s suspended for this game. These teams met earlier in the qualifying round and played to a 0-0 draw in Brussels, Belgium back in November. Overall, these two teams have met 11 times in the past with Belgium winning five games, losing three and drawing three.
Wales has fared pretty well at home though, with three victories and two defeats in their five meetings. But the bad news is they’ve lost their last pair of outings in Wales against Belgium and they were both World Cup qualifiers. Wales should have gained some confidence from their November draw in Brussels, especially since the Belgian squad is full of stars while Wales boasts just one in forward Gareth Bale of Real Madrid.
These two teams found themselves in the same group for 2014 World Cup qualifying and Belgium went home from Wales with all three points in the bag from a 3-0 victory. They also earned a point at home with a 1-1 draw in Brussels. Wales has posted clean sheets in each of their last two Euro 2016 qualifying contests and overall they’re on a five-game unbeaten streak at home in Cardiff with three wins and a pair of draws. But whatever Wales can do Belgium can do better as they’ve posted three clean sheets in Group B play and are undefeated in their past seven qualifying games away from home, with six wins and a lone defeat.
Bale will be playing in his 50th senior international match for Wales on Friday. Bales leads his team in Euro 2016 qualifying with four goals in five games This is also another anniversary contest for Wales as it’s the country’s 100th European Championship game. Their record going into it reads 38 wins, 41 losses and 20 draws. Marouane Fellaini of Manchester United leads Belgium in Euro scoring with three goals in five outings.
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Written by Ian S. Palmer
