Wales vs. Belgium: Dragons and Devils try set rivals' Euro hopes aflame

Wales has confounded expectations in reaching the quarter-finals in its first major tournament since 1958, and against an improving Belgium on Friday it has reason for optimism.

The Red Dragons took four points off the Red Devils in their Euro 2016 qualification group, with Marc Wilmots' side not troubling the scoresheet in either match.

"We're like their bogey team, aren't we?" said Gareth Bale. "Hopefully that edge gets into their heads, you never know."

But Belgium now has three wins coupled with three consecutive clean sheets after the opening game loss to Italy, which would suggest Wilmots is finally getting an idea of what his best team is.

With a semi-final offering against an underwhelming Portugal, Belgium and Wales are in prime position to make a real assault on the European Championship.

Injuries and suspensions

Wales

Injuries: None

Suspended: None

Semi-final suspension if booked versus Belgium: Ben Davies, Aaron Ramsey, Neil Taylor, Sam Vokes

Ashley Williams has been given the all clear despite having his shoulder tightly strapped up following the defeat of Northern Ireland. If his left arm fell off overnight you suspect the captain would still try to convince Chris Coleman he can play, though.

Belgium

Injuries: Eden Hazard (doubt), Jan Vertonghen (ankle)

Suspended: Thomas Vermaelen

Semi-final suspension if booked versus Wales: Vertonghen, Thomas Meunier, Axel Witsel, Marouane Fellaini, Michy Batshuayi

Vertonghen will miss the rest of the tournament with an ankle ligament injury. Hazard's slight quadriceps concern at halftime against Hungary appears short-lived: he went on to bag a goal and an assist in the second stanza and was able to join group training on Thursday.

Projected lineups

Wales starting XI: Hennessey; Chester, Williams, Davies; Gunter, Allen, Ledley, Ramsey, Taylor; Bale; Vokes

Belgium starting XI: Courtois; Meunier, Alderweireld, Denayer, J. Lukaku; Nainggolan, Witsel; Carrasco, De Bruyne, Hazard; R. Lukaku

What to watch

Wholesale changes are required in the defence due to the suspension of Vermaelen and, most damagingly, the Euro-ending injury to Vertonghen. Jason Denayer is a fantastic talent who featured prominently before the tournament started, so should start in the middle alongside Alderweireld. At left-back, Romelu's younger brother Jordan Lukaku should be given the nod.

Kevin De Bruyne operating on the right didn't work particularly well, so he's now working much more dangerously in the middle, while Hazard looks reinvigorated after doing the bare minimum for Chelsea in 2015-16. The right-wing is still up for grabs, though: Dries Mertens doesn't look natural in that position, so Yannick Carrasco should be considered for a starting berth again.

Up front has posed unforeseen issues. Romelu Lukaku has looked distracted and lonely in attack, perhaps more concerned where he'll be playing his club football by September rather than immediate matters, and Batshuayi proved a lively option off the bench against Hungary. Considering Williams' delicate shoulder, Wilmots will have to decide which forward is most willing to partake in a potentially fruitful physical duel with the Swansea City defender.

Coleman, meanwhile, has little to ponder in his lineup. The back three of Williams, Davies, and James Chester have been tough to crack, and Joe Allen and Joe Ledley excellently break up play and protect in front.

The one question is perhaps in the strikeforce, an area of the pitch that is lacking but admittedly doesn't carry a requisite of goals. The job is to hold up the ball, and also to stretch the opposition defence to open up spaces for Bale to exploit. Hal Robson-Kanu did this job superbly in qualification, but Burnley's Vokes has been preferred in the last two outings.

The largely flat showing against Northern Ireland, however, may prompt a rethink.

Prediction

With a slight reshuffle sacrificing striker Lukaku, or simply a more sprightly performance from the Everton man, could be devastating for the Welsh. The sloppiness in possession against Norn Iron in the Round of 16 would be leapt upon by Radja Nainggolan and Witsel, and Wilmots has an embarrassment of riches to choose from for his attacking quartet.

Belgium 2, Wales 0