Matchday Four of the World Cup qualifiers rolls on this Monday with Belgium aiming to bounce back at home against in-form Wales, while Croatia face a stiffer test against surprise group leaders Czech Republic. Here are my thoughts along with a suggested bet for each encounter.
Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, Spain have emerged as early frontrunners in the outright markets at 11/2, followed closely by Brazil at 6/1 and France at 13/2. England sit just behind at 7/1, with defending champions Argentina priced at 8/1. Germany also feature among the main contenders at 10/1, while most other nations are available at 12/1 or greater, offering potential value further down the board.
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BELGIUM v WALES – Click here to bet
Belgium return home this Monday under mounting pressure, after a disappointing 1-1 draw away to North Macedonia left them fourth in the standings. Rudi Garcia is still searching for his first back-to-back win as head coach, with the Red Devils registering just one victory in their last eight competitive matches — a concerning trend for a squad expected to top the group. That said, Belgium tend to be a different force in Brussels, and the expectation is that they’ll raise their game in front of the home crowd.
There’s no shortage of talent in the Belgian camp, with Jérémy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Romelu Lukaku among those capable of turning a match in an instant. However, their defensive record remains a concern — Belgium have kept just one clean sheet in their last ten outings across all competitions and continue to allow opponents too many chances.
Wales, by contrast, come into this one in fine form. Their 3-0 win over Liechtenstein on Friday pushed them to the top of the group with seven points from a possible nine. Craig Bellamy’s side are now unbeaten in nine matches (W5, D4), and confidence is clearly growing within the Welsh camp. The Dragons have kept four clean sheets during that run and will aim to frustrate Belgium while looking to hit on the break.
Wales have also shown they can go toe-to-toe with Belgium in recent years, including that memorable 3-1 win in the Euro 2016 quarter-finals. Notably, they’ve scored in each of their last six consecutive meetings with the Red Devils.
Head-to-Head
These two sides have met 17 times in total, with Belgium unbeaten in 12 of those clashes (W7, D5, L5). Their most recent meeting came in the UEFA Nations League in 2022, where Belgium claimed a 2-1 victory. The Red Devils are unbeaten in the last four encounters overall, with two wins and two draws.
Betting
Belgium – 4/9
Draw – 15/4
Wales – 13/2
Verdict
Belgium haven’t been at their best of late, but they usually respond at home. Expect a reaction in Brussels, especially with Wales offering a more open threat than some of Belgium’s recent opponents. The visitors are in great form and should contribute to an entertaining encounter, but Belgium’s firepower should see them claim a positive result here.
Suggested Bet: Double Chance and Both Teams to Score – Belgium/Draw and Yes at 5/4
CROATIA v CZECH REPUBLIC – Click here to bet
Croatia host Czechia at Opus Arena in Osijek on Monday, aiming to build on their dominant 7-0 win over Gibraltar that launched their World Cup qualifying campaign in style. It was a ruthless response from Zlatko Dalić’s side following their Nations League quarter-final exit, and they’ll be keen to carry that momentum into a sterner test here.
The Blazers are unbeaten in nine home matches (W6, D3) and have demonstrated their strength at this venue against high-quality opposition such as Italy and Portugal. Veterans like Luka Modrić continue to pull the strings in midfield, while emerging stars such as Luka Sučić and Joško Gvardiol are stepping up impressively. Croatia have kept five clean sheets in their last nine home outings, conceding just five goals during that run.
Czechia arrive as surprise group leaders after winning all three of their opening games. Their latest result — a confident 2-0 win over Montenegro — extended their unbeaten run to eight matches (W6, D2). Ivan Hašek’s side have conceded just five goals in that stretch and look disciplined and well-organised heading into this clash.
Still, their away form against elite opposition remains a concern. While they are unbeaten in their last three away fixtures, Czechia haven’t beaten a top-25 ranked team on the road since 2018 (Poland, ranked 20th at the time). Croatia’s midfield control and experience in tight matches could prove decisive here.
Head-to-Head
These sides have met four times in total, with Croatia narrowly edging the record (W2, D2). Their most recent clash ended 1-1 at the European Championship in 2021.
Betting
Croatia – 17/20
Draw – 27/10
Czechia – 33/10
Verdict
Czechia have started brightly, but Croatia at home is a major step up. The hosts have a strong record in Osijek and rarely drop points against mid-tier opposition. Czechia can make this competitive and will fancy their chances of scoring, but Croatia’s quality in possession and depth of experience should be enough to claim all three points.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result – Croatia at 17/20
Click here for betting on all of this week’s international matches
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
