Injury-Hit Wales Face Uphill Battle Against Bosnia

Wales will attempt to follow up on their 2-1 victory over Andorra against Bosnia-Hercegovina this Friday (10th October) without three key players. Premier League staples James Collins and Paul Dummett, defenders for West Ham United and Newcastle United respectively, will miss the game with Safet Susic`s qualification favourites whilst Wolves youngster Lee Evans is also sidelined. The three players have been removed from the squad and will be unavailable for Chris Coleman`s side second Euro 2016 qualifier in three days against Cyprus next Monday.

Collins missed the Hammers` 2-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers last Sunday with a groin injury and has not been seen for his domestic side since appearing as a late substitute in the club`s surprise 3-1 Upton Park success over last season`s Premier League runners-up Liverpool. The 31-year-old centre-back has withdrawn from selection after a late scan and will be replaced by Merthr Tydfil-born Declan John who currently plies his trade at Championship side Cardiff City. Should 19-year-old John make an appearance against either Bosnia or Cyprus, he will earn himself only his third cap.

Versatile Crawley Town man Joe Walsh receives the call up from Coleman after Paul Dummett was forced to sit the matches out with muscular problems. Left-back Walsh has played for Wales U17s, U19s and U21s though stepping on the field of play in one of the up-coming ties would see the 22 year old makes his senior international debut. Indeed, Evans too was hoping to make his debut for his country though was forced to concede his place in the squad after suffering a hamstring injury in his side`s defeat at the hands of Huddersfield Town last Wednesday.

The trio of absentees join experienced faces Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) and Joe Allen (hernia) on the sidelines with the 25-man Wales squad now only featuring nine Premier League players and the four-time Welsh player of the year Gareth Bale. The 25-year-old is 15/1 (boylesports) to bag himself another brace after his heroics on the rubber crumb surface of Andorra`s national stadium. Eleven to five (boylesports) the price for the former Tottenham man scoring netting once.

Bosnia-Hercegovina have been made the 13/10 (bet365, Matchbook) favourites for the match-up at the Millennium Stadium. Wales can be backed at 12/5 (32red, 888sport, bet365, Betvictor, unibet) to make it six points from two games after their closely-fought Andorra win, whilst a draw is being laid at the same price with bet365 and Matchbook.

Susic`s men are looking to bounce back after falling to a shock 2-1 defeat to Group B minnows Cyprus last time out. A sixth minute Vedad Ibisevic goal was not enough to see off the island side thanks to a brace from FC Sion`s Demetris Christofi. Thirty-year-old Ibisevic has 24 Bosnia goals to his name from 60 appearances and is 21/10 (bet365) to grab another in Cardiff at any time. The Stuttgart man has scored four goals in his country`s last five games including a brace in a 3-0 friendly win over Lichtenstein and Bosnia`s consolation goal as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of eventual runners-up Argentina in their closing tie of the World Cup.

A threat from much closer to home is that of Manchester City`s Edin Dzeko who has proved himself to be in potent form in the Premier League this season. The perennial super-sub has hit the back of the net four times in all competitions for Manuel Pellegrini`s Champions League hopefuls. Thirteen to eight (betfair) says the 6 foot 3 striker will find himself on the scoresheet again tonight.

Go To bet365

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08/10/2014     © Frixo 2026