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Gareth Bale’s imperious form for Wales
He may have been booed and jeered for his putrid showings with Real Madrid in the recently concluded season, but has been a knight in the shining armour for his national side throughout the qualifying campaign.
Gareth Bale, when in national colours, seems to conjure his fierceful best and thanks to his rich vein of form, Wales are second to Belgium only on goal difference. The Madrid superstar has struck the onion bag 5 times in the last 6 outings and is certainly the man whom The Dragons will turn towards for goals.
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Wales haven't participated in any major tournament in the last 57 years and the expectation of over 30 lakh masses is riding on him to break the jinx.
Will exhaustion have an impact on Belgium?
Though missing pivotal players is one thing, notable absentees coupled with some other players totally sapped of energy ahead of a key fixture is a completely different proposition.
After returning from the Brazilian showpiece last summer, the Belgian players have had very little time to catch some Zs. The likes of Vertonghen, Hazard, Courtois, Chadli and Mousa Dembele, after a gruelling season in EPL, immediately jetted off to Australia for the post-season tour.
After winding it up, were forced to fulfill their international commitments as they were drafted in the line up for the game against France just 3 days ago.
One can only imagine the height of physical and mental stress these players have been enduring. Players have worn to a frazzle after a congested list of games and are staring the down the barrel of its side effects in this game against Wales.
Wales running high on confidence
A run of 6 unbeaten games has left Wales gushing with confidence and it is indeed turning out to be the season to remember. The nation, ranked 22nd in the world, can feel the Panglossian atmosphere engulfing them again and also considering the fact that teams like Brazil, Germany, Italy and Belgium themselves, have been beaten here in Cardiff, the Dragons must have had fire lit up in its belly.
After a string of impressive performances, there is a genuine belief that this Wales side can make it big this time and this optimism may give them the mental edge heading into the game.
