Qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues at apace over the next week or so, with plenty of teams capable of booking their spot as one of the 48 in North America next summer.
After a major improvement internationally in the last half a decade or so, as well as their domestic game getting better with the recent qualification of Kairat Almaty to the UEFA Champions League, Kazakhstan have perhaps drifted again in the last 12-18 months.
Wales, on the other hand, look set to be one of the more exciting teams for the next couple of years under the management of Craig Bellamy, but five dropped points in their opening four qualifiers leaves them in a position whereby this is a must win game at the Astana Arena.
The Sporting News previews this one with the latest betting odds, tips and predictions.
Kazakhstan vs. Wales prediction
Kazakhstan managed to ease themselves past Liechtenstein in March but a 1-0 loss at home to North Macedonia in June perhaps shows their level a bit better than that victory.
Wales have often flattered to deceive under Bellamy but do look to be improving and should win reasonably comfortably here. To do so, they are priced up at 11/20 with Ladbrokes, whilst the draw is 16/5 and Kazakhstan are out at 19/4.
The Sporting News' Score Prediction: Kazakhstan 0-2 Wales
- Wales to beat Kazakhstan in Astana is given a 64.5% probability by Ladbrokes.
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Kazakhstan vs. Wales expected lineups
Here's how we think these two sides will line up at the Bernabeu.
Kazakhstan predicted lineup vs. Wales
(3-5-2, right to left)
Seysen (GK) — Kairov, Malyi, Alip — Astanov, Orazov, Muzhikov, Zainutdinov, Vorogovskiy — Samorodov, Satpaev
Injured: Pokatilov
Suspended: None
Wales predicted lineup vs. Kazakhstan
Wales lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left)
Ward (GK) — Williams, Rodon, Mepham, Davies — James, Sheehan — Johnson, Wilson, Thomas — Brooks
Injured: Ampadu, Burns
Suspended: None
Kazakhstan vs. Wales latest odds, correct score betting
Our 2-0 prediction is at good odds with Ladbrokes, but there are plenty of other possible score lines that are worth looking at for this one. Here's a look at some of the most likely outcomes according to the bookmakers.
Result | Odds* |
Wales 1-0 | 17/4 |
Wales 2-0 | 5/1 |
Draw 1-1 | 13/2 |
Wales 2-1 | 7/1 |
Draw 0-0 | 15/2 |
*Click odds to bet direct with our selected partners. Odds correct at time of publish.
Back your correct score pick with Sky Bet for £50 in FREE bets when you bet £10 on accas
Kazakhstan vs. Wales team news
- Kazakhstan have endured a lot of change in recent times, with experienced players such as Aleksandr Marochkin and former captain Askhat Tagybergen having now retired from the national team.
- They are also without injured goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov, whilst the likes of Marat Bystrov, Islambek Kuat and Bauyrzhan Islamkhan have been left out of the squad by manager Ali Aliyev.
- Craig Bellamy has been criticised by some for his exclusion of in-form Rubin Colwill, who has started the League One season extremely well with Cardiff City.
- However, that position of the pitch is perhaps where Wales are most blessed, with the deeper midfield role now up for grabs after Ethan Ampadu’s injury, and Josh Sheehan seemingly in line to start.
Kazakhstan vs. Wales Bet Builder tips
Our bet builder for this game is for Brennan Johnson to have two or more shots on target (11/5), Wales to score over 1.5 goals in the game (4/5), Serhiy Maliy to receive a card (6/5) and Sorba Thomas to provide an assist (13/8), which comes to overall odds of 27/2 with Ladbrokes.
You can check out the latest odds and bet direct with our selected partners using the bet builder tool below.
Kazakhstan vs. Wales Head-to-head
Kazakhstan and Wales have only ever faced each other on one other occasion, and that came in the reverse fixture in this qualification campaign back in March at the Cardiff City Stadium.
The Welsh dispatched of the Kazakhs by three goals to one on that occasion a few months ago, with Daniel James, Ben Davies and Rabbi Matondo getting on the scoresheet.
How to watch Kazakhstan vs. Wales: Live stream, TV channel
- Date: Thursday, September 4
- Venue: Astana Arena, Astana, Kazakhstan
- Time: 3:00 p.m. BST
- TV/Stream: BBC, BBC iPlayer