Belgium vs Kazakhstan Prediction: Red Devils can exploit rash right-back

Belgium moved on to seven points from three games in their 2026 World Cup qualification group last Thursday, thrashing Liechtenstein 6-0 in Vaduz. Next up for the Red Devils is a Sunday (19:45 BST) session with Kazakhstan, who have lost back-to-back qualifiers 1-0, the latest to Wales in Astana earlier this week.

Below are my Belgium vs Kazakhstan predictions, complete with all the latest team news and match odds, ahead of this Group J game at Anderlecht's Lotto Park.

Team News

Belgium boss Rudi Garcia could name the same starting XI as against Liechtenstein in Vaduz, where Maxim De Cuyper, Youri Tielemans (x2), Arthur Theate, Kevin De Bruyne and Malick Fofana were all on target.

Football Odds

Alexis Saelemaekers, Charles De Ketelaere, Leandro Trossard, Timothy Castagne and Diego Moreira were all second-half substitutes on Thursday and will be hoping to earn more minutes this weekend.

Today's Football Fixtures

Kazakhstan defender Nuraly Alip is a doubt for Sunday's match after hobbling off injured against Wales. Ular Zhaksybaev replaced the Zenit St Petersburg man in Astana, and the 30-year-old could start in his place against Belgium.

Belgium vs Kazakhstan Odds

Belgium have won their last four meetings with Kazakhstan and are huge favourites (1/20) to make it five victories in a row against the Hawks on Sunday. The visitors, meanwhile, are 33/1, or a 2.9% chance, to claim just their second away win since November 2023.

Anytime Goalscorer - Maxim De Cuyper (BEL) @ 16/5

In a battle to find value, I'm backing Belgium left-back De Cuyper to strike anytime against Kazakhstan on Sunday.

The 24-year-old may be a defender, but four goals in 11 international appearances is the record of a forward, with his latest effort opening the scoring against Liechtenstein.

He only found the net once in six caps last year, but is on three in five this year.

The Brighton & Hove Albion summer signing has shown his goalscoring abilities at club level, netting 15 times across two seasons (2021/22, 2022/23) on loan at Westerlo, and he struck three times in the Belgian Pro League last term for Club Brugge before sealing his big move to England.

Kazakhstan have conceded 3+ goals in six of their last seven away games, with two defenders scoring against them in that run, and De Cuyper could add his name to that list on Sunday.

Player to Receive a Card - Bagdat Kairov (KAZ) @ 2/1

Kazakhstan's Bagdat Kairov could have his work cut out for him on Sunday, up against either Jeremy Doku or Fofana on the wing.

The 32-year-old, who plies his trade in his homeland with FK Aktobe, is likely to be deployed as a right wing-back in Anderlecht, as he was against Wales in Astana on Thursday, when he gave away one free-kick for a foul on the visiting side's left-winger, Sorba Thomas.

Fofana lined up on the left for Belgium against Liechtenstein and was fouled twice by their right wing-back, Sandro Wolfinger, who was shown a yellow card for the second of those, in just the 16th minute.

Doku, who did most of his work down the right, was also fouled twice in Vaduz and is averaging four fouls won per World Cup qualifier, having suffered six and four against North Macedonia and Wales, respectively.

Whether it's him or Fofana who starts on the left this Sunday, Kairov, who was booked six times in 12 Kazakhstan Premier League appearances (six starts) last season, and has been shown seven yellows and one red in 17 outings (16 starts) this term, could be in big trouble.

Offers

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down