A bright start for Wales, plenty of early intensity.

Who had five seconds in the, 'when will Kieffer Moore give his first foul away?' sweepstake? Congratulations to you.

Turkish referee Ali Palabıyık gets us under way at the King Baudouin Stadium.

Nathan Blake
Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

It's going to be difficult tonight, no doubt. But every time we seem to write this team off, we seem to pop up with a result.

I believe Wales can get a result. They seem to be a bit of a bogey team for Belgium so fingers crossed.

Some match facts, for your perusal.

• Belgium have never lost a home match against Wales in seven previous meetings on home soil (four wins, three draws), winning 3-1 in the most recent game at Den Dreef in March 2021.
• Since beating Belgium 3-1 at Euro 2016, Wales are winless in three matches against the Red Devils, drawing two and losing one.
• Belgium have won four of their past 10 matches (three draws, three defeats), having won eight of their previous 10 (one draw, one defeat). Their previous three defeats before this run came across a sequence of 38 matches.
• Wales have lost three of their past five matches (one win, one draw), losing 3-2 to the Netherlands last time out. They have not lost consecutive games since June 2021 at the Euros finals against Italy and Denmark.
• Belgium are the leading scorers in the Nations League with 37 goals, scoring in every game. The Belgians have also conceded 23 goals, with the 60 goals in their matches the most of any nation.
• In their last 13 away matches, Wales have either kept a clean sheet (six times) or conceded at least twice (seven times), shipping 18 goals.
• ·Brennan Johnson has scored in his past two appearances for Wales - his first two senior international goals - although he has not ended on the winning side in either (one draw, one defeat).
• Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi has been involved in five goals in his last six appearances for Belgium (three goals, two assists), including an assist against Wales in June.

Image source, Getty Images

Danny Gabbidon
Former Cardiff and Wales defender on BBC Radio Wales

Rob Page will be hoping he has a full squad in Qatar, but injuries can happen.

The one constant you would like to see is the system. You could argue having the ability to adapt is also a good thing, but Rob Page will want to nail down some tactical stuff as well - the system we are going to play at the World Cup, which players can come in and play.

We also need to win one of these two games. If we can stay in the top tier then fantastic, although these two games are about much more than the Nations League.

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at the King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels

This is the first thing you see when you leave the press room at the King Baudouin Stadium.

Sure, it's a red devil, Belgium's mascot, but is anyone else reminded of the Laughing Cow (off of the cheese)?

Image source, BBC Sport

Chris Mepham says Nations League games against Belgium and Poland offer Wales the chance to gain World Cup momentum.

While Wales are aiming to avoid Nations League relegation this week, their two fixtures are also the last for Rob Page's side before the World Cup.

"It can be difficult to give your full focus when you've got the opportunity of a lifetime around the corner," said Bournemouth defender Mepham.

"But these games are really important to fine-tune what we need to work on.

"We don't have the luxury of a warm-weather training camp where you can bond with each other, train, build your fitness and have some preparation games.

"These are our preparation games and it's important we take any sort of momentum from these games to the World Cup."

Read more: Chris Mepham says Nations League games can give Wales World Cup momentum

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at the King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels

Vincent Kompany, Mousa Dembele and Thomas Vermaelen are being interviewed on the pitch as guests for this game.

Given the amount of caps on display in tonight's Belgian team, I'm half expecting the three of them to sneak on to the bench.

Now this is pretty funny.

Ahead of the ninth Belgium v Wales fixture in the past 10 years, Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne has admitted he is "bored" playing against Wales.

This is the fourth time they have played in the past 18 months.

"I think half of my international career has been against Wales," De Bruyne said.

"I don't know why. It's a little bit boring. I think it is 12 times I have played them, it is always the same teams."

Image source, Getty Images

Danny Gabbidon
Former Cardiff and Wales defender on BBC Radio Wales

The World Cup is Gareth Bale's big focus.

It's just great to hear him talking about football again, when for a while the focus seems to have been on other things.

He seems in so much more of a better place than he was. He is a massive player for us still.

Nathan Blake
Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

I thought America was the perfect place for Gareth Bale from day one.

He has had a lot of muscle injuries.

People were saying Italy, Cardiff, for me he needed to go away and play where there is not as much pressure. There is pressure, but not as much as there would have been in Europe.

He feels wanted and needed again and I am so glad he has gone to America because I think we will see the best of him in the World Cup.

Wales captain Gareth Bale says he will be in "great shape" for the World Cup after rediscovering his joy for club football at Los Angeles FC.

Bale enjoyed nine trophy-laden years at Real Madrid but his final seasons were tainted by injuries, patchy form and criticism from fans and Spanish media.

The 33-year-old has been rejuvenated by his summer move to LAFC and a warm welcome from the club's supporters.

"It feels nice, the fans have been really supportive over there," he said.

"They've been really patient as well which is good. I'm enjoying playing there, the atmosphere is incredible, they're all supporting the team."

Read more: Wales captain Gareth Bale will be in 'great shape' for World Cup after LAFC move

Image source, Getty Images

Danny Gabbidon
Former Cardiff and Wales defender on BBC Radio Wales

I look at Joe Rodon and I see him as a future captain of Wales.

He is already a very mature young lad, but I think he is growing.

Wales defender Chris Mepham admits the side do have one eye on the World Cup in Qatar ahead of their final two Nations League games this week.

Speaking of the youngsters, former Wales international Matthew Jones has been named Wales Under-21 manager.

Jones, 42, replaces Paul Bodin, who left the role in July after almost three years in charge.

Ex-Leicester City and Leeds United midfielder Jones had been Wales Under-18 boss since 2020.

Jones has also been part of Gemma Grainger's Wales women's coaching set-up during their bid to reach the 2023 World Cup.

Llanelli-born Jones, who won 13 caps for Wales, was forced to retire at the age of 23 in 2004 because of knee and back injuries.

Read more: Matthew Jones - Ex-international midfielder named Wales Under-21 boss

Image source, FAW

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at the King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels

If Fulham midfielder Luke Harris comes on for his debut tonight, at 17 years and 171 days, he will be the fourth youngest player to represent Wales' senior men's team.

Third is Ethan Ampadu, second is Gareth Bale and youngest at just 16 years 207 days is Harry Wilson, who earned his first cap at this very same stadium in 2013.

If not today, some day soon, opportunity knocks for two teenagers who are included in the Wales squad for the first time.

Wales have called up teenage Birmingham City midfielder Jordan James, as Wales look set to beat England to capping the exciting prospect.

Uncapped James, 18, has played for England Under-20s and was last week included in the Wales Under-21 squad.

His father, Tony, is a former professional footballer who helped Newport County to promotion to the Football League.

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham's Luke Harris has also been called into the Wales squad and he could feature tonight.

The 17-year-old attacking midfielder has only made one senior appearance for Fulham, in the EFL Cup this season.

But Harris has caught the eye of Wales manager Rob Page.

Although Harris' experience at senior level is limited, his record at age-group level is impressive.

The Jersey-born player debuted for Fulham Under-18s as a 15-year-old and last season established himself in the Premier League club's under-23s, scoring 13 goals in 17 league appearances.

"He (Harris) has been in the system now for a few years. He's a talent and an exciting prospect, he's doing really well at his club and he scores goals," Page said.

"When you have someone with that talent - albeit that he's just turned 17 years old - then I am not bothered about his age.

"For these two games, I think it's a great opportunity for him to come in and get a taste of it, to experience it, and for us to have a look at him. We can see what we have seen at club level."

Image source, Luke Harris

Nathan Blake
Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

The players who are out, they are genuine injuries. They will be wanting to make sure they are fit for the World Cup.

It's no surprise to see Gareth Bale sat on the bench.

He has gone to America and done really well. He seems to be happy and the body seems to be in a good shape, touch wood.

These games can be a headache but it's also an opportunity to blood more youngsters. It's a great opportunity for them and a great yardstick for Rob Page.

Wales will again be without several important players tonight.

Midfielders Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen and Harry Wilson are all injured, as is defender Ben Davies.

Captain Gareth Bale's involvement is limited having featured mainly as a substitute for LAFC this season.

After tonight's encounter in Brussels, Wales host Poland at the Cardiff City Stadium three days later in their final match of this Nations League campaign.

Wales have drawn one and lost three of their four games to date, with results not helped by manager Robert Page having to field largely second-string sides in two of those fixtures as he prepared for what would turn out to be an historic World Cup play-off victory over Ukraine in June.

That means Wales need at least one win from these two matches if they are to remain in the top tier of the Nations League.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency