IN terms of stating the obvious it ranks alongside wise words such as ‘the sun is hot’ but on the occasion of his 50th international cap, it is Gareth Bale who holds the key for Wales tonight against Belgium.

There is an undoubted feel good factor engulfing Welsh football fans at the moment, with the players seemingly never happier, full of belief that this really is their opportunity.

However, it is very much worth reiterating that tonight is a huge bonus clash for Wales, exciting, certainly, but far from the make or break, do or die contest it is being made out to be.

Biggest game for generations? Absolutely not. It’s not even as big a game as Wales’ last qualifier in Haifa. Nor their last double-header at the Cardiff City Stadium against Cyprus and Bosnia; where four points was a must.

It might seem defeatist, but Belgium are highly likely to win the group, as they should do, being that they are the number two ranked side in world football. Lose tonight, and in the grand scheme of the group, Wales will still be in a stronger position than they’d have dreamed.

This is unquestionably Belgium’s golden generation of players and when you are in a position whereby one £30 million star is interchangeable with his deputy, a £25 million star; it is no surprise results begin to reflect such strength.

It might have only been a friendly, but Belgium tore apart a very good France side in Bordeaux just last week, the movement of the likes of Eden Hazard and Dries Mertens enough to worry even the most optimistic Wales fan.

Wales have proved themselves adept at shutting up shop on away days, they’ve twice gone to Brussels in qualifiers and earned a hard fought point in just over a year, but that isn’t going to be effective in front of a packed Cardiff City Stadium desperate to believe.

Wales will have to show more attacking intent and frankly they need to, because Belgium’s weaknesses are almost exclusively defensive.

Man-for-man, there is no disputing the away side have better quality and far greater depth, but doubts about manager Marc Wilmots and his tactics continue in his native country, because while they might be talented, there is no element of surprise with this group.

Belgium are rigid and slavishly married to a 4-3-3 system, where they’ll look to take a stranglehold of the game with their physical midfield, led by the snarling Alex Witsel who complements Kevin De Bruyne, the Budesliga footballer of the year.

Hazard, Christian Benteke and a host of other give them fierce options for their front three – and Wales aren’t helped in the absence of injured defenders James Collins and Ben Davies – but there are weaknesses at the back.

We won’t point any fingers at the sublime Thibaut Courtois in goal, who has won two league titles in the past two seasons, but the Belgium back four is certainly one that could be exploited.

They are without their best defender – Manchester City’s suspended skipper Vincent Kompany – and they are likely to line-up in Wales with a rookie 19-year old in central defence and natural centre backs Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld at left and right back respectively.

And this is where Bale’s role will prove to be key. The 26-year old has scored four already in this campaign, a fine return from five appearances, but it would be a mistake to deploy him as a lone central striker.

It won’t work just to give the ball to Bale and hope he can deliver, Wales need to be cleverer than that in working out where to give him the ball and the areas of the pitch where he’ll most hurt Belgium.

And tonight, that’s out wide.

We’ve waited patiently for Sam Vokes to return, someone who can naturally hold up the ball, so why not play him as the number nine, if not the ever-dependable Hal Robson-Kanu.

Wales will surely look to stiffen up their midfield with maintaining possession absolutely vital, so look to see Andy King recalled from suspension after his fine end to the campaign as part of Leicester City’s miracle escape.

Joes Ledley and Allen will also help to protect what will surely be a Welsh back four, while the onus is entirely on Aaron Ramsey to provide Bale with the ammunition to hurt the Red Devils.

It’s by no means impossible that Wales can win tonight, especially as anyone who saw of the World Cup last year will have seen that Belgium are often guilty of flattering to deceive.

However, man for man they are the superior side and in terms of the group, there need to be no panic or premature celebration whether Wales win, lose or draw.

But if they play it smart, as they have throughout the campaign, Wales can pull off the upset tonight.

And if they don’t, it will be their ability to bounce back next season which will determine whether this campaign is the one for Wales, or if we are heading towards yet more glorious failure.

Because for Coleman’s boys; after tonight, there will be no more bonus games.