Top 3 bets for Tuesday's WC qualifiers

Do Wales have anything to play for against Belgium?

Wales have a spot in the World Cup play-offs locked up thanks to their Nations League performance, but need to finish second in their qualifying group to have a chance of being seeded in the play-offs. They’re currently three points ahead of the Czech Republic with two goals advantage, but while Rob Page’s men take on the number 1 ranked team in the world in Belgium, the Czechs have a much easier games against Estonia. Gareth Bale is out for Wales, though Belgium have injury problems of their own, and head to Cardiff without Lukaku, Tielemans, Hazard and Courtois.

Total Goal Minutes 126-236

The Czechs are expected to win their game, but just a point will be enough for Wales to clinch that potentially important second place. Given that a lot of Belgium’s bigger names are out too, it could be that Rob Page sets his side out to keep a clean sheet, knowing if they do so they’ll gain the point needed. There’s little doubt Wale would be happy with a 0-0 draw, but are they good enough to keep Belgium out, even if the visitors are without their first choice forwards?

Which game has the most riding on it?

The Dutch football renaissance is in danger of being stopped in its tracks if results don’t go their way tonight, when they face Norway. The Netherlands impressed many during Euro 2020 and after a period in the doldrums, the Dutch national team looked to be back. They have coasted through much of World Cup qualifying too, and looked to have booked their tickets to Qatar as group winners on Saturday but, from 2-0 up with eight minutes remaining, they conceded two late goals in Montenegro to draw 2-2 and put qualification back in the balance. A point at home to Norway will almost certainly be enough to qualify, but if Louis van Gaal’s team lose, they could finish third and not even make the play-offs. Norway are currently in third place, two points behind the Dutch and level on points with Turkey, who face Montenegro. Norway are without star striker Erling Haaland, who is injured.

Cross Bookings 495-575

With so much on the line tonight, punters have been busy buying a number of bookings markets in the hope that high pressure and desperation will equal tackles flying in and discipline lost. Cross-Bookings is made up of the bookings points of one team (10 for a yellow card, 25 for a red) multiplied by the bookings points of the opposition. This looks like the game with most on the line tonight, but whether that means the players will lose their heads remains to be seen.

What's happening in the South American qualifiers?

The top two face each other tonight when Argentina face Brazil. This fixture always whets the appetite, and while Brazil have already qualified for  Qatar, and Argentina have all but joined them, the opportunity to get one over on their old rivals and the extra significance of that going into the World Cup will drive both teams on to succeed tonight. With four teams qualifying from the South American group, Brazil are six points clear of Argentina, who are 12 points clear of the teams currently sharing fourth. Both of these teams’ last defeats was to the other, and all the star names are set to play, including Lionel Messi for the hosts and Neymar for the visitors.

Raphinha Play Goal Minutes 6-9

The Leeds winger has taken to international football like a duck to water, with two goals and two assists in his four caps so far. He’s also been in fine form in the Premier League, with five goals in 10 games this season, despite Leeds’s struggles. Argentina have been impressive at the back in this campaign, conceding just six goals in 12 games, but Brazil have the weapons to unlock that defence.