Our betting expert has three Wales vs Kazakhstan tips for Saturday’s 2026 World Cup qualifying match at the Cardiff City Stadium (7.45pm kick-off). Scroll down for the analysis behind his selections.
By Luke Seychell
- Liam Cullen to score at any time @ 6/5 with bet365
- Corner handicap – Wales -5 @ 21/20 with bet365
- BetBuilder – Over 2 goals, Wales to win and both teams to score – No, Islam Chesnokov to be booked @ 7/1 with bet365
Cullen to kick on from Iceland encounter
Wales have not played since beating Iceland in November but Craig Bellamy’s squad and their fans will be confident as they start their World Cup qualifying campaign against Kazakhstan.
The nations will meet for the first time in their Group J encounter, with games against Belgium, North Macedonia and Liechtenstein still to come.
Bellamy has set high standards during his short tenure and Wales are unbeaten in six games under the former Newcastle and Liverpool forward.
He has already led Wales to promotion in the UEFA Nations League and their 4-1 win over Iceland in November effectively guaranteed at least a playoff for World Cup qualification.
Swansea striker Liam Cullen was key to that victory over Iceland and after scoring twice and grabbing an assist, he will be one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Cullen has scored 11 goals in 38 appearances for Swansea this season and he should be given plenty of chances to score against a Kazakhstan side who have lost eight games in a row away from home.
- Wales vs Kazakhstan Tip 1: Liam Cullen to score at any time @ 6/5 with bet365
Wales can dominate from the outset
Kazakhstan will have sharpness on their side as a team on Saturday after they beat Curacao 2-0 on Wednesday.
However, Saturday’s contest should be one-sided from the first whistle. During their six games in the Nations League last year, Kazakhstan lost five and they failed to score a single goal.
They won only 13 corners in that time and Wales should be able to rack up the set-pieces as they look to record a comfortable win.
Bellamy’s side won seven corners against Iceland and nine against Montenegro in their recent home games in the Nations League, and with Kazakhstan being weaker opposition, the hosts should reach double figures this time.
- Wales vs Kazakhstan Tip 2: Corner handicap – Wales -5 @ 21/20 with bet365
Visitors should struggle on the road
Wales have lost only one of their last 16 games in all competitions and they have scored four goals in three of their last eight matches at home.
They should be able to find the target against their visitors, who have conceded two or more goals in eight consecutive away games.
Kazakhstan’s inability to score in their six Nations League games suggests they will struggle to trouble Wales at the back, and the hosts conceded only once in three home matches in that competition last year.
The visitors will no doubt dominate the foul count as they try to slow down Bellamy’s troops, and forward Islam Chesnokov will do well to avoid punishment.
Chesnokov committed more fouls than any other Kazakhstan player in their six Nations League games last year with 15, picking up two yellow cards in the process. He was also fouled nine times, so the stats suggest he likes to get involved in any flare-ups.
- Wales vs Kazakhstan Tip 3: BetBuilder – Over 2 goals, Wales to win and both teams to score – No, Islam Chesnokov to be booked @ 7/1 with bet365
