Liechtenstein vs Belgium – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Liechtenstein and Belgium meet for the first time in an anticipated World Cup qualifier at Rheinpark Stadion on Thursday.

The hosts will search for a maiden point in Group J, while the visitors aim to extend their resurgence under new coach Rudi Garcia.

Liechtenstein vs Belgium – Match Preview and Team News

Liechtenstein Team News

Coach Konrad Fünfstück has named a 23-man squad composed largely of domestic-based players and a handful plying their trade in neighbouring leagues. Veteran goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel is selected once more and is expected to marshal a back five of Livio Meier, Lars Traber, Sandro Wieser, Jens Hofer and Maxim Goppel.

In midfield, Nicolas Hasler provide experience, while Willy Pizzi and Fabio Luque-Notaro lead the attack. The hosts remain without a goal in their opening three qualifiers and will be hoping their recent Nations League goalless draw with Gibraltar can spark confidence.

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Belgium Team News

Rudi Garcia has refreshed his squad following Romelu Lukaku’s long-term absence and Amadou Onana’s hamstring injury in training. Charles Vanhoutte earns a maiden call-up as Onana’s replacement, joined by Youri Tielemans to bolster midfield.

Thibaut Courtois returns in goal after missing the summer fixtures, while the defence could feature Timothy Castagne, Zeno Debast, Arthur Theate and Maxim De Cuyper. Up front, new Juventus signing Lois Openda is favoured to lead the line in Lukaku’s absence, supported by Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku.

Form

Liechtenstein: LLLLL

The hosts have lost all three qualifiers without scoring, conceding nine goals and managing just one shot on target in those defeats. Their last positive result came in October’s Nations League, a 0-0 draw with Gibraltar.

Belgium: LLWDW

Belgium began their campaign with a 1-1 draw away to North Macedonia. They then produced a dramatic 4-3 victory over Wales after squandering a three-goal lead, rescued by Kevin De Bruyne’s 88th-minute winner.

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Predicted Lineups

Belgium: Courtois; Meunier, Debast, Theate, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Vanaken; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; Openda

Liechtenstein: Buchel; Meier, Traber, Wieser, Hofer, Goppel; Luchinger, Hasler, Sele; Pizzi, Luque Notaro

How to watch Liechtenstein vs Belgium?

UK viewers can catch the match live on ITV1 and ITV X. In Belgium, coverage is available on RTBF and VRT’s Eén. The fixture will also be streamed internationally via FIFA+.

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