Belgium manager Roberto Matinez and Wales acting Manager Rob Page will match wits on Wednesday, as two top 20 ranked (FIFA/Coca Cola World Ranking) teams clash in the Group E World Cup Qualifier. The Red Devils have the supposed home advantage, but stadiums remain empty. The 2018 World Cup Bronze Medallists can look to their form and top FIFA ranking for confidence.

Wales 19th place world ranking speaks to the strength the Dragons possess. In the most recent fixture between Wales and Belgium in July 2016, Wales emerged 3-1 victors. Of the last five matches played between them, Wales has won two, Belgium; one and the other two ended in draws.

Both teams want to start their World Cup Qualifying campaign on a solid foot. On paper, this fixture and the return leg; represent the most challenging opposition either squad will face in Group E. The winner of this game could very well win the group and avoid the playoffs.

Romelu Lukaku has joined up with the Belgium squad despite a COVID-19 outbreak at Inter Milan. Eden Hazard and Axel Witsel have missed out due to injury. All other players are available for Roberto Martinez.

Despite being called up, Aaron Ramsey is unlikely to play for Wales due to injury. Rob Page will welcome the returning Wayne Hennessey and Joe Allen. No other fitness concerns or suspensions noted for Wales.

The current crop of Belgium players has been referred to as a golden generation for some time now. Elite players like Kevin De Bruyne are at their peak, meaning they are closer to the end of their career; however, Belgium continues to produce young players at a very high level. Belgium can litter the field with World Class players such as Thibaut Courtois in Goal, Toby Alderweireld in defence, De Bruyne in midfield and Lukaku leading the line.

Belgium should line up with the customary 3-4-3 that can convert to 5-3-2 out of possession. With pace, skill and quality in wide and central positions, Belgium has several options to move the ball up the pitch allowing the Red Devils to advance. Belgium can also play the ball long for Lukakum, who can run into space and take on defenders or hold up the ball. The Belgians also have excellent passing and shooting skills.

If Belgium has any weaknesses, the defence is where they appear inferior compared to other positions. The players are not the most compact in defensive positions; Belgium is therefore vulnerable to conceding goals, keeping one clean sheet in the last seven games.

Wales has talisman; Gareth Bale, available and in form for this fixture. He makes things happen on the field and Wales become a more potent force with him. Bale’s presence is critical since the team struggles to score goals. Wales will line up with the 4-2-3-1 system that compacts the midfield with a defensive double-pivot shielding the defence. Wales has eight clean sheets in ten games, so the system has severed the team well.

The Welshmen pose a major counter-attacking threat through the pace of Daniel James and Bale. They provide width; however, the fullbacks do love to get forward. When the fullbacks make offensive runs, the wingers can cut into central positions and overload the offensive third. Bale will have a free role, and the expectations will be on him and players like David Brooks to create opportunities or attempt shots.

This fixture is interestingly poised, the classic defence against attack. The Belgians can outscore any opposition if they happen to concede. The Welsh defenders face a stern test, but they can withstand the waves of attack Belgium will attempt. An away draw against the number one ranked national team in the world would not be a bad result for Wales, but Belgium will have too much strength in attack. Wales will struggle to keep them out. Expect Belgium to come away 3-1 winners.

Pascal Jansen has put AZ Alkmaar on the right track since taking over in early December. The Cheeseheads have won five of their last six, and a win on Sunday, March 21st, would move them level on 55 points with visiting PSV Eindhoven. Although they have been convincing going forward, AZ have only kept one clean sheet during the current run of form. Jansen knows the urgency of fixing his defensive frailties against a talented PSV Team.

Roger Schmidt’s men have been unbeaten in their last six; even though they dropped points in three of those games, they should not be too disappointed about draws against Ajax and Feyenoord. Nonetheless, they now trail Ajax by eight points. PSV will want to avenge the 1-3 defeat they suffered in mid-January, with AZ captain Teun Koopmeiners scoring a double. The Rood-Witten will also want to keep hold of their Champions League place. Only a 0-4 loss or worse can cause PSV to slip to 3rd place.

Three AZ Alkmaar players will miss the game due to injuries. Centre-back Pantelis Chatzidiakos, Midfielder Fredrik Midtsjo and forward Jeremy. All other players are available.

PSV have five players on the injury list. Centre-back Timo Baumgartl, midfielder Richard Ledezma, midfielder Mauro Junior, midfielder Ryan Thomas, and Forward Maximiliano Romero.

Expect Jansen to set up his team with his favoured 4-3-3 formation. AZ like to play possession football and have good quality on the ball in terms of passing accuracy.  He needs the team to remain compact to prevent being outnumbered in midfield, especially when Koopmeiners surges forward from left midfield to join the attack. Forward Jesper Karlsson may have to drop into the middle third as cover in case possession is lost. AZ has the speed and quality to launch dangerous counter-attacks from the defensive third. Myron Boadu can get on the end balls played through into space to deadly effect.

Schmidt’s PSV, play a fluid 4-2-2-2 system. They also like to play possession football, but unlike AZ, they love to shoot. Their full-backs also love to push into midfield and support the attack. Max Phillips leads the team with seven assists from left-back while Denzel Dumfries has five from the right. PSV possess quality throughout the pitch, but they may find themselves having to chase the ball and press against a confident, quality AZ team playing at home. Mario Gotze, Cody Gakpo, Eran Zahavi and Donyell Malen all possess goal threats and can form a fluid front four when in possession.

Both teams must be mindful of recent defensive frailties. The PSV full-backs leave space that Boadu and Karlsson can exploit. PSV can also benefit from space available on the left, where most of AZ’s attacks emerge. AZ will have to pay special attention to pressing and closing down shooting opportunities for Zahavi and track runs by the speedy Malen. Both teams have quality on set pieces, so they will need to avoid conceding dead ball situations. 

The margins will be close in this match as neither team wants to lose ground in the push for Champions League places. AZ’s form and home advantage will give them the upper hand in this fixture. The tactics used and the ability of the players to prevent or take chances will be the difference-maker. AZ should do the double over PSV with a 2-1 victory.

Graham Potter has changed the style of play of Brighton, but they have not gotten enough. Their failure to score adequately explains why they need to win this relegation six-pointer against Newcastle United on Saturday. The Seagulls have only scored five goals in their last five games, but they will need to find goals this time around. In the previous fixture, Newcastle put three unanswered goals past them. Three points would take up to 32 points, although they will remain in 16th place behind Burnley. Brighton have the most difficult run-ins to close out the season with fixtures against both Manchester teams, Everton, Chelsea, West Ham, Leeds and Arsenal.

Steve Bruce’s men continue to struggle for good form; he has found his Newcastle team almost devoid of attacking players with a lengthy injury list. The Magpies unluckiness with injuries has resulted in them being even more goal-shy than Brighton with three goals in the last five matches. A win for Newcastle would move them to 16th place and 31 points. Newcastle also face teams that present serious goal threats in Spurs, West Ham, Liverpool, Arsenal, Leicester and Man City. Steve Bruce must be anxiously hopeful of welcoming goal-scorers and creators from injury sooner rather than later.

Adam Webster, Aaron Connolly, Florin Andone, Solly March and Tariq Lamptey remain out injured. Dan Burn, who had hamstring tightness in the game against Southampton, could be available for the game.

Newcastle have Callum Wilson, Fabian Schar and Allan Saint-Maximin out due to injury. Miguel Almiron is close to a fitness return and could make the squad.

Brighton kept four clean sheets in the Premier League between January 16th and February 3rd; however, they have not kept a clean sheet since then. The team was defensively compact during that period. They will need to return to that type of form to remain in the EPL, and Newcastle presents a massive opportunity to get a clean sheet with their depleted attack.

Potter is likely to set up with a 4-4-2 formation. He has set up his team to play possession football out from the back with Ben White, who has an excellent passing range, distributes the ball anywhere on the field. Brighton will need to get the ball to players like Adam Lallana and Pascal Groß, who can shoot from a distance or play in Trossard, Welbeck and Maupy. It will be difficult for them as Newcastle play a defensively compact game but have only managed two clean sheets in the last eight games. Their defensive struggles are partly attributable to their inability to hold the ball up and get the team up the pitch. They will also be looking for a clean sheet against a goal-shy Brighton.

Steve Bruce has deployed 4-3-1-2 and 4-3-3 formations. Jonjo Shelvey and Ryan Frazer, playing in a false nine role, provide quality ball distribution. Newcastle, do not have any attackers capable of holding up the ball and allowing them to move up the pitch. They will need to look to play in pacey Dwight Gayle and Joelinton.

Both teams cannot afford to lose this game as the loser will take a massive step closer to relegation. The defence will be on top with these goal-shy teams; however, both teams have quality on set pieces. Corners and freekicks could be pivotal in deciding who wins the game. Brighton playing at home; will have the initiative, we are going for a 2-0 home win.