Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for this World Cup qualifier between the top two in Group H as Bosnia-Herzegovina host Belgium in Sarajevo.

This is the first match to be held in this stadium since before the war in Bosnia, and the hosts will be hopeful of marking the occasion with a crucial victory which would make their quest to finish in the runners-up spot a lot easier. Belgium have already done their part and will be at the World Cup next summer regardless, but they could still have a telling impact on who joins them there.

First, though, let's have a look at the team news for this one...

BOSNIA STARTING XI: Begović; Vranješ, Dumić, Šunjić, Kolašinac; Bešić, Lulić; Duljević, Medunjanin, Višća; Džeko

BELGIUM STARTING XI: Courtois; Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Meunier, De Bruyne, Fellaini, Carrasco; Mertens, Hazard; Batshuayi

BELGIUM SUBS: Mignolet, Casteels, Dendoncker, Tielemans, Mirallas, Defour, Origi, T Hazard, Kabasele, Boyata, Chadli, Ciman

What can we make of those two sides, then?

Well it is no surprise to see Bosnia go with near enough a full strength side for this crucial match, and that of course means Edin Dzeko leading the line. The former Manchester City man has continued his fine form at club level into the current season and comes into this match having scored seven times in just six appearances for Roma already this season. The striker also has five goals in the current qualifying campaign, so the hosts will be looking to him more than anyone to fire them to glory today.

Dzeko is the most experienced member of the Bosnia squad with 87 caps to his name, and after today he will be only five short of the all-time Bosnian record of 93 appearances, currently held by Emir Spahic.

Dzeko already leads the way when it comes to goals, scoring an impressive 52 times in his 87 international outings to confirm himself as the country's greatest ever goalscorer. Vedad Ibisevic also brings experience and goals to the squad with 28 strikes in 80 appearances, but he does not make the starting XI today.

Bosnia boast three players who ply their trade in the Premier League amongst their squad, and all three of those start this afternoon.

Asmir Begovic of Bournemouth retains his place in goal for the hosts, while Arsenal's Sead Kolasinac continues on the left side of defence having made a solid start to life in English football. There is also a start for Everton midfielder Muhamed Besic, who comes into the side.

The inclusion of Besic is one of five changes made to the team that beat Gibraltar last month - a reflection of the step up in competition Bosnia will face here.

In addition to Besic, Dumic, Sunjic, Duljevic and Medunjanin all come into the side having missed out from the start against Gibraltar, while Cacalic, Zukanovic, Hadzic, Jajalo and Kenan all drop out of the starting lineup.

As for Belgium, their headline news is that the red-hot Romelu Lukaku is missing through injury, with manager Roberto Martinez refusing to take any risks with the Manchester United striker.

The Red Devils are likely to miss Lukaku, though. Aside from his incredible form at club level for United, Lukaku has also scored 10 goals in qualifying so far, which is only behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski in the European section. Overall he now has 24 goals for Belgium and is closing in on the all-time record of 30.

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Belgium will have to cope without Lukaku for this match, but there is still no shortage of quality on the field for the visitors.

Michy Batshuayi will lead the line in his absence having impressed during the brief chances he has been afforded at Chelsea so far this season. Batshuayi could have more game time coming up due to Morata's injury, though, so he will be keen to get into some good form for Belgium and then try to take that back to Stamford Bridge.

Batshuayi should have plenty of support when it comes to sharing the goalscoring mantle, with Mertens and Hazard behind him and Kevin De Bruyne a little further back. Martinez really is spoilt for choice in midfield, even without the suspended Witsel and Nainggolan, who wasn't selected in the squad.

Carrasco offers yet more threat in a wide area, and if all else fails then there aren't many better Plan Bs than Fellaini, who starts today having scored four goals in his last five appearances at club level.

The Tottenham Hotspur pairing of Alderweireld and Vertonghen are both named in defence, with the latter making his 93 appearance for his country tonight - just three short of the record held by Jan Ceulemans.

Between them is the former Arsenal man Thomas Vermaelen, while Chelsea's Courtois is named between the sticks as expected. It is a hugely experienced Belgium squad, with 12 players boasting more than 50 caps - and that number could grow tonight should Defour come off the bench to reach his half-century.

Some of the name on that Belgian teamsheet could be quite daunting for Bosnia to come up against, but they at least know that they are heading into this match with a much greater need to succeed than their opponents.

As things stand Bosnia are in the driving seat in the race for second in Group H, but that could all change tonight. Three teams could still realistically finish second, with Greece just one point behind Bosnia and Cyprus three behind Greece. Victory for Bosnia in both of their final two games will send them into the playoffs, but this is a huge test for them tonight.

Bosnian fans will be keeping a very close eye on events elsewhere in Group H later this evening, when Greece host Cyprus in a match which does not kick off until 7.45pm.

Defeat or even a draw for Bosnia in this match means that Greece would leapfrog them into second with a win over Cyprus, and considering Greece then host lowly Gibraltar in their last match of the campaign it would be a safe assumption that they wouldn't give second place back up from that position. Bosnia will be expected to beat Estonia in their final game, but it could be that they need something here to stay in control of the race.

Bosnia have won half of their eight matches during the current qualifying campaign, but it is their solitary defeat in their last seven outings across all competitions which could prove to be most costly.

Mehmed Bazdarevic's side had been unbeaten since their last meeting with Belgium before taking on Cyprus, but a surprise 3-2 defeat during the last international break means that they are now under pressure to pick up a result here. It is exactly a year ago to the day that Belgium ran out 4-0 winners in the reverse of this fixture, but Bosnia cannot afford a similar result here.

Bosnia are more used to winning than anything else, though. They have won 12 of their last 19 matches across all competitions, losing just four in that time, while their record is particularly impressive at home.

Bazdarevic's side are unbeaten in their last nine matches in front of their own fans - a run which includes nine wins and stretches back to another defeat at the hands of Cyprus - 2-1 in September 2014. It is more than three years since Bosnia were beaten on home soil.

This stadium is an unfamiliar one for even the hosts, though, as it hosts its first Bosnia game since before the war. The stadium was in ruins as recently as 1994, but hosts some of the biggest names in world football tonight.

Bosnia have kept clean sheets in each of their last four home games, last conceding a goal in front of their own fans in November 2015. That strike, in a 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland, is the only goal they have let in in their last seven home outings, and another clean sheet here would make it five on the bounce for the first time since November 2011.

One of Bosnia's problems during the current campaign has been consistency. They are yet to string together back-to-back qualifying wins, although they do have the chance to do that tonight following their 4-0 win over Gibraltar last time out.

Tonight's hosts have picked up 10 points from a possible 12 in front of their own fans, though, scoring 12 and conceding none, so Belgium will have to do what no other team has managed during this campaign and score away to Bosnia if they are to come away with all three points today.

Bosnia have won seven and lost just one of their last nine World Cup qualifying matches in front of their own fans, but the current campaign has not been as straightforward as their qualifying for the 2014 tournament.

On that occasion the Bosnians won eight and lost just one of their 10 matches to qualify quite comfortably, but there is a very real danger that they won't make it to the tournament at all this time around.

Belgium will definitely be at Russia 2018, though, having become the first European team to qualify aside from the hosts.

Roberto Martinez's side had their place in the tournament secured by the last international break, with a narrow 2-1 win in Greece sealing their ticket. It was a match which saw all three goals go in during a manic four-minute period, but Belgium ultimately got the job done to move unassailably clear of Bosnia.

With the quality at their disposal, there is no reason why Belgium can't go into the World Cup with realistic ambitions of going far in it. This is a golden generation for them at the moment, and while they may not be quite at the level of Germany, Spain or the other perennial favourites, they certainly have a team capable of beating any other at international level.

It has almost been a perfect qualifying campaign for Belgium too, with just two points dropped from their eight outings so far.

Belgium are eight points clear of Bosnia with two matches remaining and one of only six teams still unbeaten throughout all of the European qualifiers.

Most impressive, though, has been their goalscoring. Lukaku and co have plundered 35 goals in their eight matches - a tally no other side could beat prior to the latest round of fixtures. They have been tight at the other end too, with just three goals conceded meaning they also have the joint-most miserly defence in qualifying.

Belgium would have expected to qualify in top spot given the opponents in their group, but they are still in good form and scoring three or more goals in five of their eight qualifiers is nothing to be sniffed at.

That includes separate hauls of six goals, eight goals and nine goals, which is some improvement on the scoring front as before the current campaign Belgium scored three or more goals in a game on just one occasion from their previous 19 World Cup qualifiers.

A 9-0 thrashing of Gibraltar means that Belgium now have 15 goals from their last four matches, all of which have ended in victory for the Red Devils.

Another win this evening would make it five on the bounce for the first time since October 2015, while also extending their unbeaten record to 12 matches across all competitions. Belgium have not lost since a 2-0 defeat to Spain last September, winning eight and drawing three since then.

In World Cup qualifying matches that unbeaten run stretches back even further - 18 games, to be exact. Belgium lost six of their 10 games during qualification for the 2010 World Cup, but since then they have won 15 and drawing three of their 18 such outings.

In all qualifiers Belgium have only lost one of their last 28 outings stretching back to 2011, winning 22 of those and losing only to Wales in June 2015.

Incredibly, Belgium have also won their last nine away World Cup qualifying games while conceding just two goals in the process, which needless to say is their best ever run of that kind.

The last time Belgium failed to win a World Cup qualifier on the road was their 2-0 defeat in Estonia in 2009 - a result which at the time was Belgium's fourth away loss in a row and eighth without a win. It is safe to say that not many expected a run of nine consecutive wins to follow.

PREDICTION! Right, we're 10 minutes away from kickoff in Sarajevo, which means that it is time for a prediction!

This is a tough one to call this evening. Belgium have named a strong side and look like the favourites on paper, but a positive result would mean so much more for Bosnia. Any dropped points for the hosts would open the door for Greece to leapfrog them later, but they are coming up against the best team in the group by some distance. I'm going for a score draw.

Sports Mole says: Bosnia 1-1 Belgium

These two sides have met on seven previous occasions, and the head-to-head record is split evenly down the middle over that time.

Each country has won three and drawn one, although all of Bosnia's victories came in a row between 2005 and 2009. Tonight's hosts are winless in their three most recent meetings with Belgium.

The most recent of those came exactly one year ago today, and it was an occasion Bosnia will not remember fondly as Belgium ran out comfortable 4-0 winners.

A Spahic own goal broke the deadlock in the first half before Hazard, Alderweireld and Lukaku all got on the scoresheet too. It was a more convincing win than many expected, and Bosnia will remember that tonight.

Belgium have actually won the last two meetings between these two sides, scoring seven goals and conceding just one, but both of those came on home soil.

The Red Devils have never beaten Bosnia in their own back yard, drawing one and losing two of their three previous visits. The most recent one of those came during qualifying for Euro 2016, when Nainggolan cancelled out Dzeko's opener in a 1-1 draw.

Right, we're just a couple of minutes away from kickoff in Sarajevo, so let's have a quick reminder of the team news tonight...

BOSNIA STARTING XI: Begović; Vranješ, Dumić, Šunjić, Kolašinac; Bešić, Lulić; Duljević, Medunjanin, Višća; Džeko

BELGIUM STARTING XI: Courtois; Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Meunier, De Bruyne, Fellaini, Carrasco; Mertens, Hazard; Batshuayi

KICKOFF: Here we go then! Belgium get us underway in Sarajevo!

The first thing to note is that the playing surface here is truly dreadful. There is plenty of quality on show today, but they may find it difficult to shine in these conditions.

Nightmare start for Bosnia! Belgium break the deadlock after less than four minutes, and it is another goal for Meunier during this qualifying campaign - his fifth already!

The full-back is involved in the build-up as he plays the ball out to Hazard before continuing his run into the box. Hazard returns the favour with a low cutback which finds Meunier, and he slams the ball home. It took a couple of deflections on the way through, but it looked to be going in anyway.

Meunier and Hazard link up again down the right flank as the former gets in behind once more, but his low pass in towards Batshuayi is cleared at the near post. It is all Belgium right now, though!

SAVE! Almost a quick response from the hosts as Medunjanin gets in down the right flank, but his low drive is kept out at the near post by Courtois. Easy enough for a goalkeeper of his quality.

Bosnia have responded fairly well to that early setback, having been outplayed during the first five or six minutes. Belgium do still look dangerous going forward, though, so the hosts need to be wary.

Important defending from Kolasinac as he clears the ball from pretty much on his own line after another good break from Belgium. Carrasco put the ball into the box, but Kolasinac deals with it well.

Bosnia are in the unenviable position of not knowing quite how damaging a defeat here will be until later tonight, when Greece are in action against Cyprus.

YELLOW CARD! Besic is often a safe bet for the first card of the game, and sure enough he is the first name in the book this afternoon for a trip on Hazard.

There haven't been many genuine sights of goal since that early opener, but Belgium do still look dangerous almost every time they come forward. The visitors are seeing more of the ball and have a degree of control of this game at the moment.

A little better from Bosnia as Vranjes hoists a high ball into the box which Dzeko beats Vermaelen too. The striker's header is neither a shot nor a knockdown, though, and Courtois is able to gather it comfortably.

YELLOW CARD! Carrasco is the first Belgium player in the book following a heavy challenge, which rules him out of Tuesday's meeting with Cyprus.

Duljevic suddenly bursts into life for Bosnia to bring the ball down the left flank before sliding a pass down the channel for Dzeko. Vertonghen slides in and makes a good challenge, though, stopping Bosnia's attack in its tracks.

SHOT! This is better from Bosnia now. Medunjanin picks the ball up just outside the area and finds himself in space to take a touch and go for goal. His curling strike has Courtois worried, but it flies narrowly over the crossbar.

The hosts come forward again and this time Kolasinac gets the better of Fellaini down the left before standing a cross up into the middle. Dzeko's movement sees him escape his marker momentarily, but the ball is just a fraction too high.

The playing surface really is poor here. A simple pass along the floor ends up bobbling all over the place and a little earlier a bouncing ball just stopped dead because of the pitch. Could it have an impact on the result here?

Concern for the visitors here as Fellaini goes down off the ball. It looks like a problem with his knee, and he may not be able to continue here.

BELGIUM SUB: Sure enough, there is the change. Leander Dendoncker replaces the injured Fellaini.

Huge goal for Bosnia as they equalise on the half-hour mark!

Dzeko is so often the goalscorer, but this time he turns creator by collecting the ball in the box and reaching the byline before squeezing a cross into the middle. His delivery crucially takes a deflection off Vertonghen and then a helpless Courtois, leaving Medunjanin with the simplest of finishes at the back post. He will never score an easier one!

That goal had been coming due to Bosnia's improvement in this match, and the hosts will be desperate to build on that momentum now. It is just the fourth goal Belgium have conceded in this qualifying campaign.

Belgium had just gone off the boil before that equaliser, but they have quickly regained some control over the game now. They are back to controlling possession, which in turn is prevent Bosnia from building any momentum.

Almost a hairy moment for Dumic as he slides in to cut out a cross and turns the ball towards his own goal, but there is not enough power on it to trouble Begovic.

More good pressure from Belgium as they continue to knock on the Bosnia door, although the hosts will be pretty pleased with how the game has gone since that early opener.

Bosnia have turned this one around! They take the lead with just six minutes to go until half time, given a helping hand by Vertonghen.

The Tottenham defender completely misjudges a huge hoof forward from Begovic, and that allows Visca to suddenly find himself clean through on goal. The forward takes his time, but not enough for the Belgium defence to get back and he drills his low strike past Courtois.

YELLOW CARD! Another yellow card is shown to Duljevic.

CHANCES! How are Belgium not level here?! It is an incredible double save from Begovic as he denies first Batshuayi and then Vermaelen from point-blank range. A low strike is turned goalwards by Batshuayi from the edge of the six-yard box and the initial save from Begovic is good, but the follow-up effort to deny Vermaelen is even better. Belgium should have scored, but take nothing away from the saves.

It's all happening now! Bosnia come forward down the left flank this time and a pass is played in to the feet of Dzeko, who is expertly dispossessed by Vertonghen inside the area.

OFF THE POST! Begovic was the hero moments ago, but he is almost at fault here! Hazard latches on to a loose ball on the left side of the area and puts a low cross back into the middle which Begovic only succeeds in diverting against his own post. Batshuayi is quick to react, but under pressure he can't squeeze the rebound home from close range.

A thrilling first half comes to an end in Sarajevo, then, and as things stand it is a huge win for Bosnia.

Victory is the only way for the hosts to ensure that second place remains in their hands heading into the final game, and that is the case right now. Bosnia needed to come from behind, but they have responded really well to an early setback and take the 2-1 lead into the break.

It took less than four minutes for Belgium to break to deadlock in Sarajevo as Meunier made it five goals for the qualifying campaign following a one-two with Hazard. The full-back blasted his finish into the top corner via a couple of deflections, although it looked as though it was going in even without the touches from the defenders.

Bosnia hit back with the equaliser on the half-hour mark when Medunjanin was left with the simplest of finishes at the back post after Dzeko had squeezed his cross oast Vermaelen and Courtois, and the turnaround was completed just nine minutes later.

This time it was a mistake from Vertonghen which led to the goal, with the defender misjudging a long ball forward to allow Visca clean through on goal. The shot itself was quite close to Courtois, but he couldn't keep it out.

Belgium did respond well to that quickfire double, though, and but for a miraculous double save from Begovic they may be level. The Bournemouth shot-stopped denied Batshuayi and then Vermaelen from point blank range with a superb piece of goalkeeping to keep his side ahead.

Begovic did almost score an own goal shortly afterwards, but he was saved by the woodwork having tried to intercept a low cross from Hazard.

KICKOFF: Bosnia get us back underway for the second half in Sarajevo, and the first thing to tell you is that there has been a change at the interval. Youri Tielemans is on for Mertens.

CHANCE! Almost another quick start to a half from Belgium as Batshuayi does well to get in front of his man and meet a cross. Meunier swings the ball in towards the near post, but Batshuayi can only nod it wide.

Dzeko has had a growing influence in this game as time has ticked by, and it is no surprise that Bosnia's threat has grown along with it. He is just so important for the home side.

Speaking of Dzeko, the ball falls to him inside the area but Belgium are quick to surround him and prevent him from getting a shot away.

OFF THE LINE! Belgium are queuing up to have a go here! First Batshuayi does really well to stay on his feet inside the area despite being surrounded by blue shirts. He can't get a shot away himself, eventually dropping it back for Hazard who in turn flicks it for Alderweireld. The Tottenham man tries to feed his finish into the bottom corner, but Vranjes makes a brilliant goal-saving block on the line.

Bosnia need to get their foot on the ball here. They have started this second half slowly and Belgium could well have equalised since the interval.

YELLOW CARD! Vermaelen is the latest name in the book for a sliding challenge on Dzeko. No complaints there.

SAVE! The resulting free kick is met by Dumic, and his looping header is enough to worry Courtois. The keeper appears to stumble briefly as times stands still, but he recovers to make what should have been a routine stop.

SHOT! Almost another chance for the hosts as this time Sunjic gets his head to the ball to flick it on. Nothing comes of that, but moments later a long ball is played to the back post for Medunjanin, who drags an ambitious first-time volley wide of the near post.

Belgium are back level, and it is a real poacher's goal from Batshuayi!

Carrasco is the creator with a brilliant turn inside the area to escape the attentions of his marker, but his low strike is straight at Begovic. The keeper cannot hold on to it, though, spilling it into a dangerous area which allows Batshuayi to tuck it home from close range. Begovic will be disappointed with that one!

Bosnia have less than half an hour to get their noses back in front in this match. Only victory will leave them in control of the race for second.

Bosnia have had plenty of joy from set pieces already in this second half. The latest falls at the feet of Lulic, but he can't fire his resulting effort anywhere near the target.

BOSNIA SUB: The hosts make their first change of the evening as Mato Jajalo replaces Besic.

De Bruyne hasn't been as majestic as we are used to seeing him tonight. Belgium have the chance to break here, but it comes to an end courtesy of an inexplicably poor ball from the Man City man. Blame the pitch, Kev.

Belgium are looking the more likely to go on and get a winner now. The visitors come forward again here and a better final pass ay lead to a third goal, but Begovic comes out to claim it before Hazard.

SAVE! Begovic is called into action again here as he tips Tielemans's low drive wide of the target. Batshuayi was once again sniffing around, but Begovic pushed it to safety this time.

Vertonghen redeems himself for the earlier error, marking his record-equalling 96th cap with what could well be the winner!

A corner is flicked on by Meunier towards the back post where the Tottenham man is waiting, and he is left with a simple finish. Medunjanin was on the line, but he didn't fancy coming out to challenge Vertonghen by the looks of things!

Bosnia now have just 20 minutes to swing this match back in their favour. Defeat may not be catastrophic should Greece also lose later, but as things stand it is out of their hands.

BOSNIA SUB: The hosts make another change as Izet Hajrovic replaces Visca.

CHANCES! Begovic has had a mixed game, but he may have just kept his side in the match here! Batshuayi finds himself clean through on goal against the keeper, who stays big to make a good save. The danger has not entirely passed, though, and it is soon back in the Bosnia box, but a sliced effort from Carrasco loops onto the roof of the net.

This has been a really good game, which you may not have expected considering the state of the pitch. It has been action-packed from the first whistle, and we're not done yet.

BOSNIA SUB: A third and final throw of the dice for the hosts as Vedad Ibisevic replaces Medunjanin.

Concern for Bosnia here as, just seconds after making their final change, Vranjes goes down in pain. The hosts may need to see this game out with 10 men if he cannot continue.

Vranjes is back on his feet and looks like he will be fine to continue.

CHANCE! Bosnia are not giving up on this one, but a cross from the left is a fraction too high for Ibisevic and he can only glance a header off target.

CHANCE! Was this the chance? It falls to Dzeko, who is exactly the man they want, but he puts his effort wide of the target under pressure from Vermaelen. It was lovely inter-play from Ibisevic to set up the chance, but Dzeko cannot finish it off.

Bosnia have their equaliser, and what a big goal it could prove to be!

The resulting corner is played into a good area, and Dumic is there to plant his header home from close range. It is dreadful marking from Belgium, but Bosnia do not care one bit.

Incredible! Just a minute after being pegged back, Belgium are ahead again!

Meunier lifts a clever pass into the path of Carrasco, who tucks his finish past Begovic at the near post. What a game this is!

Big chance for Bosnia to apply another twist to this incredible match! Kolasinac gets into a good area down the left channel, but his ball into the box goes agonisingly across the face of goal!

BELGIUM SUB: Belgium make their third and final change of the match as Carrasco is replaced by Nacer Chadli.

YELLOW CARD! Duljevic goes into the book late on for a poor challenge on Meunier.

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this match.

YELLOW CARDS! A couple of yellow cards for Batshuayi and Kolasinac come in quick succession.

Phew! What a game that was - seven goals, plenty of action and a quagmire of a pitch to boot.

When all is said and done, though, it is a hugely damaging defeat for Bosnia. Things are now out of their hands in the race for second place, and should Greece beat Cyprus later tonight then they will have all but secured second place with only Gibraltar to come after that.

There are positives for Bosnia from this performance, which will go down as their best for some time, but ultimately they came up short this evening.

Right, that is all we have time for this evening!

Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for this thrilling contest as Belgium dent Bosnia's World Cup hopes with a topsy-turvy 4-3 win in Sarajevo. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for coverage of the 7.45pm kickoffs too. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!