Wales need Bale to perform against Bosnia

Wales recorded a 2-1 win, all be it unconvincing, against rank outsiders Andorra in their first Group B qualifying match last month and will want to build on those three points when they meet Bosnia Herzegovina in Cardiff. Bosnia had a torrid start to the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with a shock home defeat by Cyprus and will be going to Wales in search of all three points to kick-start their quest to make it the finals in France.

Although Wales should be coming in to the match with confidence, sitting at the top of the group on three points, the actual performance in Andorra left a lot to be desired, even though they were up against it playing on a plastic pitch. Andorra had lost everyone of their last 41 European qualifying matches and this puts in to perspective how lucky Wales were to have Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, who scored the winner with a late free-kick.

Wales are ranked as being slight outsiders for this match at 13/5 with bet365, despite being at home and this might have something to do with the less than convincing display in Andorra but also due to the fact that some key players are missing with injury. Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has picked up another knock playing for Arsenal and his absence will be a big blow to manager Chris Coleman as Ramsey provides one of Wales` very limited goal scoring threats. Another big name player missing for Wales in this match is Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen, a key man for gaining control of the game and these two losses probably reflect the odds for a Wales win.

If Wales are to triumph then once again it will be down to Gareth Bale, who really does carry Wales` only genuine goal scoring threat but is capable of scoring every type of goal from anywhere on the pitch. Bale is 9/2 with SkyBet to open the scoring in the game and is 5/4 with the same firm to find the back of the net at any time.

The Bosnian`s come in to the match under pressure, having lost that opening home match to Cyprus and can not afford to come away from Cardiff without at least point if they want to repeat their qualification for the 2014 world cup. Bosnia are the bookies favourites for the game at 5/4 with BetVictor and this is a reflection of the win and draw achieved by them against Wales in their last two encounters as well as their superiority in the FIFA rankings.

In their last match, Vedad Ibisevic scored their only goal of the game and is priced at 6/1 with bet365 to score the first goal in this one. However, Bosnia will be hoping that Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko can make the difference for them and he is clearly the best quality striker to feature in this match. paddypower have Dzeko at 9/2 to score the opening goal and 11/8 to score at any time. Manager Safet Susic will also be able to call upon Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic and the Italian based player is 4/1 with betfred to score at any time.

Bosnia are missing their first choice left back and having conceded two goals at home to Cyprus are not as strong as their goalkeeper Asmir Begovic would like but Wales are not strong at the back either so expect both teams to score and this is on offer at 9/10 with BetVictor. Wales are certainly the weaker of the two teams on paper but with a full house behind them and the fact that Bosnia can not afford two defeats in a row, the 12/5 for a draw with bet365 looks a good bet.

Go To bet365

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09/10/2014     © Frixo 2026