Wales

Wales v Croatia Betting Preview
Wales will have taken some confidence from their 2-1 away win in Scotland on Friday night, a comeback win from falling a goal behind in the game. Wales have jumped up into third place now with that win, but qualification for Brazil 2014 is a long way off. They go into Tuesday’s match against the second placed Croatia seven points behind their visitors. So even a win for the Welsh would leave them trailing by a big margin. Still, there is plenty to build on and take some confidence forward.

Wales v Croatia Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet365
Croatia 8/11, Draw 5/2, Wales 4/1

Wales v Croatia Recommended Bet:
The Welsh will have been delighted with the way they beat Scotland, coming from a goal down to take maximum points. The thing is, they still look lightweight in front of goal and have only returned an average of just a goal per game during qualification. Despite controlling large chunks of the game against Scotland, especially in the opening half an hour, they couldn’t find their way through. The goals they did score were because of a rash tackle and static defending. At the back, Wales have conceded at a rate of over goals per game. That could spell trouble against the powerful Croatians. Gareth Bale is expected to be fit for Tuesday night after being pulled off at half time in Glasgow after getting a small knock. They will have to go without the presence of Aaron Ramsey who got sent off right at the end of the game. Wales may find themselves having a hard time breaking down Croatia, who have only let two goals past them in their opening five matches. It’s a reason why Wales are underdogs.

Croatia took a good win against their bitter rivals Serbia on Friday. That kept them tracking along nicely in the race for the top, level on points with the exciting Belgium. Croatia are a very good side, and they are able to produce a physical game and one of passing and flair. They have won four and drawn one of their first five matches now on the road to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. They have netted eight goals, not particularly high, but solid enough. Their defence though has been very strong and organised, having conceded just two. They will likely have the lion’s share of the game and they have a lot more at stake in it than Wales do.

Croatia are the better team of the two and that’s not really in question. The spirit of Wales though could play a big part in this one to level the playing field a bit. It could be worth taking a Draw/Croatia Half Time/Full Time bet for a look at some value at 3/1 with online bookmaker Bet365.

Wales v Croatia Head To Head
Only three times before have the two sides met, just once competitively. That was the meeting in Osijek earlier in the group, with Croatia cruising to a 2-0 win. This will be the first time that Wales will have hosted Croatia before, and the other two matches, friendly internationals produced another win for Croatia and a draw. Wales have scored just once in those three meetings.

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Scotland v Wales Betting Preview
Sadly this may not have very much qualification bearing on Group A on the road to Brazil 2014. Scotland are bottom of the pile with just two points from four games, with Wales right above them on three points. That is a long way back off Belgium and Croatia who are occupying the top two spots with ten points each. After Wales struck back from a goal down in the first meeting to beat Scotland, will Scotland be able to strike back themselves on home turf and drag themselves off the bottom of the table?

Scotland v Wales Betting Odds at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
Scotland 5/6, Draw 12/5, Wales 3/1

Scotland v Wales Recommended Bet:
Can Scotland stop Gareth Bale? That could be the factor that decides this match. The Spurs winger scored two goals in Cardiff to guide Wales to victory when they met last October. With the immense form that he has been showing, he could be the key to the game. Scotland don’t have a particular plan to man mark him, Gordon Strachan’s men just want to take firm control of the game and push Wales back. Strachan has only had one game in charge, leading Scotland to a 1-0 friendly win over Estonia, a game which they should have won by a bigger margin. Still, a win is a win, but it highlights again their problems in front of goal. Scotland have netted just twice in their four matches in Group A so, which has left them struggling at the foot of the table. Do they have enough to edge to a win? If so, it will likley be only by a one goal margin.

Scotland may take confidence from Wales having lost both of their away matches so far in the group. The Welsh lost away to Croatia and took a 6-1 hammering in Serbia. The Welsh defence is probably the weaker of the two nations, but then they have a genuine match winner in Bale, something that Scotland will be envious of. Wales themselves have scored just three goals in heir four matches for far, and have a far worse defensive record than the Scots. With neither really going to make an impact in qualification after such poor starts, there is at least some pride to play for, and a chance to get some momentum going. Wales won their most recent match, 2-1 win over Austria in an international friendly. Following Friday’s match, Wales then host the powerful Croatian side while Scotland go to Serbia.

Scotland v Wales Head To Head
A nice long history to look back over between these two sides. There have been 106 meetings played between the two before and Scotland lead commandingly with 61 wins to 22 by Wales. There have been seven previous FA Cup qualifying matches, with Scotland leading the way against with three wins to two. The most recent coming together was that 2-1 win for Wales in Cardiff in October of 2012. The last meeting between them in Scotland was in 1997, an International Friendly held in Kilmarnock, wich Wales won 1-0. That was the same result in their last World Cup qualifier held in Scotland, a 1-0 win for Wales in Glasgow during the the 1986 World Cup qualifiers.

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Wales V Croatia
After getting their first points on the board of World Cup 2014 qualification, Wales will be a little more confident as they head to mainland Europe to face Croatia on Tuesday night. Wales staged a Gareth Bale-inspired late come back to beat Scotland in Cardiff and that just about kept their qualification hopes alive. But a lot more work has to be done and a defeat on Tuesday night could still see Wales trailing the qualification spots by seven points, which is pretty much an overwhelming uphill battle. Will the confidence of securing the win in Cardiff lead the Welsh to at least grab a point off Croatia?

Wales v Croatia Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet365:
Croatia 2/7, Draw 4/1, Wales 10/1

Verdict:
Chris Coleman?s Wales will be underdogs for this fixture, there is no doubt about that. Even though they managed to get their first points of the campaign, it doesn?t disguise the fact hat Wales have been on a poor run of form. That was Chris Coleman?s first win in charge since taking over in January and it still wasn?t a convincing performance from them. They were second best in a lot of areas to Scotland and it wasn?t until Scotland really dropped back and started playing aimless long balls that Wales were allowed to get back into the match during the second half. The problem for Wales is that they really don?t have a lot to offer going forward, and they can?t rely all the time on Gareth Bale getting them out of tight spots. Still, the win should have delivered confidence as they face their first ever competitive match against Croatia. It is going to be a tough night for them though and defeat would still mean that they are going to be struggling to reach Brazil 2014.

Croatia on home soil are always tough opponents. They are ranked 11^th in the world while Wales are down in 57^th, so there is a big gap between the two sides. Croatia completed the double over Macedonia in qualification on Friday night as they won 2-1 in Skopje for the first time in three attempts. That was a very hard fought match and Croatia also had to come from a goal down to secure the win. While it was a hard fought three points, Croatia were always in more control and created the bigger threat than the defensive Macedonia We should see a more expansive Croatia at home, they are good with the ball on the deck and have a good physical presence as well. Apart from the two wins over Macedonia, Croatia earned themselves a very good point out in Belgium. At this point Belgium and Croatia still look the very strong options to seal the top two spots in Group A. Wales will have a lot of hard ball chasing and defending to do in Osijek, Croatia are just a much better rounded side and far stronger at the back. A Croatia -1.75 Asian Handicap is well priced at 23/20 with online bookmaker Bet365.

Head to Head:
The two sides have ran into each other just twice before in their history. Neither of those two games though were competitive ones. They met in Osijek back in 2010 in a friendly, which resulted in a 2-0 win for the Croatians, a fairly comfortable win at that. The only other friendly match up between Wales and Croatia resulted in a 1-1 draw, also out on Croatian soil.

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Wales V Scotland
These two sides desperately need a win. Neither have managed one yet in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers yet and are in danger of getting left behind in a tough group. Scotland have managed to get two points on the board from their opening two matches, while Wales have crashed to two defeats. Lack of goalscoring power does plague them both and this Home Nations derby should be a feisty affair with big points on offer for both. Who can conquer in Cardiff? It may be worth looking at your Correct Score, Scorecast or Half Time/Full Time bets at online bookmaker Bet365 who offer lost stake refunds on those markets if the game ends in a 0-0 draw.

Wales v Scotland Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet365:
Scotland 8/5, Wales 7/4, Draw 11/5

Verdict:
Scotland look the better of the two sides and that has been reflected in their results so far. They held Serbia to a draw while Wales got thumped 6-1 by the Serbians. However, the Scots stuttered badly against Macedonia and needed a response from Kenny Miller to salvage a point for them. The Scots just look that much stronger as a defensive unit and can grind out points. However, they do struggle up front, but they look as if they need less to fix their issues than Wales do. Scotland do set up in a solid, organised way and it does come at the expense of some forward power, but on the road in games like this, it can work in their favour. The big advantage that the Scots may have lost however is the fact that both of their previous matches were at home and they let points slip away.

So now they have to adjust and get points on the board in Cardiff. This will be a big step forward for them and it is the Scots who are looking forward more, while Wales are just looking to avoid defeat here. That is a big difference in mentality between the two, but Wales are hurting at the moment .The heavy defeat against Serbia will have knocked the stuffing out of them. Chris Coleman has now lost all four matches since taking charge back in January. Wales need to find more confidence and ways to keep tighter at the back. Scotland have all that, they just need to find a little more potency going forward, but they look in better shape. A straight out draw isn?t too bad value at all at a price of 11/5 with online bookmaker Bet365.

Head to Head:
Scotland have a healthy head to head lead between the two nations, winning 61 of the 106 matches matches. They have lost 21 and drawn 23 against the Welsh and the bookies have them down for favourites in this one, even though they are away from home. The two nations have met before in the World Cup Qualifiers, most recently in 1986 when they produced a 1-1 draw in Cardiff which followed an away win for Wales in Glasgow. Out of six matches played between the two in World Cup qualifiers, Wales have triumphed just once. The most recent meeting between the two sides was a 3-1 win for the Scots in an international friendly in May of 2011.

Wales face a stiff challenge in Serbia on Tuesday night, as they look to try and record their first ever win again the Serbs. In nine previous meetings there have been three draws and six defeats for the Welsh, and with Wales not having scored a single goal in their last three matches, they will probably face some struggles. The Welsh were defeated 2-0 at home against Belgium on Friday night, while Serbia were held to a dull 0-0 draw against Scotland This is Group A action the road to Brazil 2014 and Wales need a response. Do they have enough strike power up front though to go and break down a tricky and organised Serbian side? Their past record isn?t great, obviously and that would tend to lean things towards the home side, who are trading as favourites in the match betting odds. Wales just look very lightweight up front and Serbia will probably get most of the possession and therefore a Serbia -1.25 Asian Handicap for a price of 23/20 with online bookmaker Bet365 may fit the bill.

Wales lost defender James Collins early in their match against Belgium on Friday night, which didn?t help things in Cardiff. However, even prior to that Belgium, one of the group favourites alongside Croatia, were well in control and on top of things. Belgium were helped out by the red card and simply turned the match in a training exercise, so easy was it for them to keep the ball and control every aspect of the game. So it suggests that even without the red card Wales would have struggled to record a result against the Belgians, and while manager Chris Coleman was angry about the sending off and the Belgian free kick which lead to the visitor?s second goal of the game, Wales have a lot of work to do. If Gareth Bale isn?t getting into the box then Wales don?t have much to offer up front and all of the responsibility seems to be on the Tottenham player?s shoulders, without much support. The loss of Collins at the back will be a massive blow as well, having started the season so well for West Ham. Serbia weren?t very inventive at Hampden Park against Scotland and they haven?t won in their last five matches (three of those being 0-0 draws).

So if Wales are brave there could be rewards for them, but Serbia should have the edge at the end of the day in this one on home soil. Neither side have a lot of goals in them, but Serbia look to have the better technical edge and the stronger of the two defences.

Wales v Serbia Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet365
Serbia 4/9, Draw 16/5, Wales 13/2

 

England V Wales

Date & Kick-Off: Tuesday, 6 September 2011 (19:45 GMT)

Venue: Wembley, England

TV Coverage: LIVE on ITV1

Preview

On Friday they did the English a massive favour by beating the then joint-leaders of Group G, Montenegro, 2-1 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Now a rejuvenated Wales travel to the English capital for the first time in almost seven years seeking to end a number of disappointing streaks and trends, but surely there?s no chance of Gary Speed?s Dragons reversing March?s 2-0 defeat in Cardiff, when goals from Frank Lampard and Darren Bent sealed a comfortable victory for Fabio Capello?s men.

This will be the fourteenth time these two neighbouring nations have clashed on the international stage, and it is of no surprise to see England way out in front with eight victories to Wales? paltry three. Not since 1984 have the Welsh triumphed over the English, and not since 1977 have they been victorious on English soil. If this doesn?t constitute a mountain, surely the form book and a quick glance at the respective team sheets will affirm Welsh fears.

With the exception of possibly Gareth Bale out on the wide-left, who could cause a still green and inexperienced Chris Smalling all sorts of problems at right-back, and Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who at just 20-years-of-age is the youngest Wales captain in history, England are vastly superior in every area of the pitch.

Just how will the visitors go about breaking down a defence which, while it has only kept four clean sheets in eleven games, was rarely troubled in Cardiff when two renew acquaintances in March. And just how on earth do they contain this untameable, multi-dimensional English attack spearheaded by an irrepressible Wayne Rooney?

The answer to the above would be not well. Wales will be aiming to avoid a fifth consecutive away defeat on Tuesday, as well as their fifth of what has so far been a retched qualifying campaign: Wales are rock-bottom of Group G and hot favourites to take home the wooden spoon, with Gary Speed?s team two-points adrift of Bulgaria and Switzerland.

Just scoring at Wembley could be seen as a mini-triumph for the Welsh, who have conjured up just one goal in their last six hours of competitive action on the road. In Bale and Ramsey they have a chance, but the fact both David Vaughan – who would have at least provided some form of cover to a fragile defence that has conceded seven goals in its previous two internationals, including that emphatic 4-1 defeat away in Switzerland last October in Euro 2012 qualifying – and Craig Bellamy, who really did lead by example with his exemplary work rate and endeavour on Friday night, are missing only makes this task more arduous and daunting.

England really did look in imperious form in Sofia and a repeat performance, especially were they to begin with the same vigour, would be enough for them to claim the win which would take them another huge stride towards Poland & Indiaraine. However, their form at Wembley in qualifying has been suspect to say the least. The Three Lions have failed to win any of their previous four home internationals, including successive draws in qualifying with Montenegro (0-0) and Switzerland (2-2), the latter a game in which Fabio Capello?s men were well below par and needed to come from behind twice just two register a share of the spoils.

So complacency could be a real issue on Tuesday, particularly at Wembley where England have struggled in front of their home support to really put on much of a spectacle. Memories of how easy the reverse encounter was in Cardiff could also prove a hindrance, as will the various national newspapers who will do their best to inform the entire nation of just how straightforward a night Tuesday should be against a nation ranked outside the top 100, let alone rock-bottom of a pretty tame Group G.

 

Match Pointers

Sat atop of Group G with a three-point cushion over Montenegro, England would be all but assured of top-spot with victory at Wembley on Tuesday; Wales, meanwhile, are battling to avoid the wooden spoon with a bottom-place finish, as well as pride.

Wales have won only three of the pair?s 13 meetings to England?s 8, with the Welsh Dragons last triumphing over The Three Lions back in 1984; however that was over in Wales, with their last victory in England dating back to 1977.

England have lost just one of their last ten internationals (W6 D3 L1), and just one of previous 18 at home (W13 D6 L1).

A rejuvenated Wales have now won two of their last three internationals, recording home wins over Northern Ireland (2-0) and more recently Montenegro (2-1).

Away from home, however, Wales have lost four on the spin including three without netting a single goal.

 

Betting Verdict

With Wales at their strongest on Friday against a Montenegro side who play far too negatively for my liking, I actually quite liked Wales? chances in Cardiff, and they duly delivered with an impressive and thoroughly deserved 2-1 victory. Gareth Bale and Craig Bellamy in particular were outstanding, inspirational with their efforts as the Premier League duo took the game to a stubborn and well set-up Montenegro side. However the latter, Bellamy, who is no doubt buoyed by his recent move to Merseyside with Liverpool, will serve a one-game suspension along with David Vaughan.

The task would have been verging on impossible anyhow, but without Vaughan and Bellamy, two players who play key roles – Vaughan in shielding a vulnerable defence and Bellamy setting the bar for his team-mates with his second to none work ethic – you do worry that a mauling could be on the cards. If England begin in the same vein with which they dominated and toyed with Bulgaria in Sofia, then that could prove to be the case.

As underwhelming as England have been in recent games at Wembley, dispatching of a Wales team ranked 117^th in the world shouldn?t be taxing. Ashley Young and Theo Walcott will terrorise the Wales full-backs while there is simply no stopping Wayne Rooney on current form, the forward who now has seven goals in his first four competitive starts in 2011/12 for club and country.

The one ray of light for Wales is Gareth Bale, as the Tottenham winger will have the beating of England right-back Chris Smalling for pace, but getting the speedster into a position where he can actually turn and run at the England defence will be seldom I feel.

Match Prediction: England to WIN – 1/7 PaddyPower

Value Bet: Gareth Bale to Score – 13/2 Boylesports

 

Match Odds

England to WIN – 1/7 PaddyPower

Draw – 7/1 Bet35

Wales to WIN – 20/1 VictorChandler

 

Special Bets

England to WIN by 4 or more goals – 13/5 PaddyPower

England to be winning 3-0 at Half-Time – 11/1 SkyBet

Gary Cahill First Goalscorer – 25/1 BetFred

Wayne Rooney to score a Hat-Trick – 12/1 WilliamHill

 

Wales V England

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 26 March; 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: Millennium Stadium; Cardiff, Wales
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD1

There is never a shortage of spectators whenever the Three Lions clash with a British neighbour, and there will barely be an empty seat in the house when John Terry & Co trot into the Dragon?s den on Saturday as England prepare to do battle with Wales inside a capacity Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

It promises to be a fascinating contest for so many reasons. Not only are both teams desperately seeking to put disappointing qualifying results last time out to bed ? Wales going down 4-1 in Switzerland while the English were held to a 0-0 draw at Wembley by Group G leaders Montenegro ? further spice has been added to an already saucy fixture with news regarding the captain?s armband in both camps.

Fabio Capello?s decision to remove the armband from the seemingly always injured Rio Ferdinand has enraged some fans, while some were incensed when news broke that it was John Terry who was to be handed the role on a full-time basis. I have no doubt he?s the right man for the job ? I have no time whatsoever for this role model rubbish, as England have hit the stage now where they simply must have the best man for the job ? now it?s down to Terry to galvanize his troops and prove to one and all that Capello, for once, has got one of the big decisions correct.

Wales, meanwhile, left the naming of their new captain to the last minute, although the appointment was just as jaw-dropping as England?s. Aaron Ramsey, at just 20-years-of-age and having accumulated a mere 11 caps for his country, is set to lead the Dragons out on Saturday in a bold move by Gary Speed in naming the youngest ever Wales skipper.

The one thing Speed has done is deflect some of the attention away from Gareth Bale?s absence, although that hasn?t stopped many believing that the pendulum has swung massively in England?s favour.

Bookmakers have also acted accordingly, and now England are a best-priced 1.44 (4/9) with Coral to win Saturday?s eagerly-anticipated contest in Cardiff. Wales, however, have been allowed drift right out to 9.00 (8/1) with PaddyPower, with the support for the Welsh in the betting rings scarce to say the least.

 

Wales

- Pointless Wales have lost every one of their three qualifiers thus far and are already facing a mammoth task with regards to qualifying for the finals.

- Wales were surprisingly beaten 1-0 by Bulgaria in their only home EURO 2012 qualifier thus far, that being their fourth consecutive qualifying defeat after losing their final three 2010 World Cup qualifiers in Wales to Russia (1-3), Germany (0-2) and Finland (0-2).

- Manager Gary Speed is without arguably his most destructive attacker in Gareth Bale, whose lightening-quick pace out on the left-wing would have put England full-back Glen Johnson?s resolve to the test for 90 minutes.

Topping the group would appear out of the question now that Wales are ten-points adrift of Group G leaders Montenegro, while even a runners-up finish is seemingly beyond them. Manager Gary Speed insists it is all about the future from now on, with qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil a realistic target for everyone, according to the former Welsh international now turned coach. In the meantime, though, all the focus falls on Saturday?s mouthwatering match-up with England as the Welsh Dragons go in search of their first points of the campaign against the highest seeded nation in the section.

The entire Wales camp was rocked ahead of the big game with news that Tottenham?s Gareth Bale would sit this one out, more as a precaution rather than a direct injury. If truth be told, Bale is one of only a select few potential match-winners in Gary Speed?s Wales squad, so now we are all left scratching our heads as to whom, if anyone, will step up to the plate on Saturday and really take the game to England, just as Gareth Bale would have done with his blistering pace.

In the absence of Bale, the majority of the limelight as far as Wales are concerned will fall on their new skipper, with Arsenal?s Aaron Ramsey set to become the youngest ever Wales captain at just 20-years-of-age. But apart from the fact he?s making all the headlines off the pitch by claiming the captain?s armband, this is a player with the technical ability, vision and awareness to potentially open up a well-drilled England defence packed to the rafters with outstanding quality.

Over two years have passed since Wales last won a meaningful fixture on home soil, when beating minnows Liechtenstein 2-0 in Cardiff back on 11 October, 2008. Since then, Wales have gone on to record four straight home defeats in qualifiers ? three were during 2010 World Cup qualifying while the other was against Bulgaria in 2012 EURO qualifying. There quite literally is no better fixture to break a losing sequence than against one of your fiercest local rivals, however I, along with so many other pundits, are finding legit arguments to suggest how, why and where the game maybe won for Wales at a premium.

 

England

- After two wins and one draw, registering seven points from their first three qualifiers, England sit second in Group G and trail surprise leaders Montenegro by three points.

- England have won 11 of their previous 13 qualifiers (World Cup/EURO), five without conceding.

- Fabio Capello is without the injured trio of Ben Foster, Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard but has big names such as John Terry, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney all fit.

As always, it is never easy nor straightforward whenever England are concerned. At one stage, after back-to-back victories over Bulgaria at Wembley (4-0) and Switzerland in Basel (1-3), England appeared to be in cruise control and set for a smooth ride through to the finals. Along came Montenegro, who finished 2010 as the pacesetters in Group G, as surprising as that was, to throw a spanner in the works and hand the media yet more negativity to latch onto.

Saturday?s trip to Cardiff will be about writing a few wrongs in a fixture they should win with an element of comfort, especially now that the Welsh are without their superstar, Gareth Bale. It?s important the Three Lions make an immediate return to winning ways, which they?ve already managed in many ways; beating Denmark in Copenhagen 2-1 earlier in the year in an international friendly, as goals from Ashley Young and Darren Bent hand England a morale-boosting victory, in a timely manner as well.

A routine win at the Millennium Stadium, a venue most of the England set-up will be familiar with, as it was where several major English domestic finals were held not so long ago, would knock the Montenegrins off the top of Group G and see England return to the summit. Anything less would be an embarrassing result in fairness, as with the quality Fabio Capello has at his disposal, England really should be beating this sort of opposition at a cantor, regardless of where the fixture is to be held or whether it?s a local derby ? this, of course, is a manager under intense scrutiny from the media for his poor handling of the captaincy situation.

The backlash should England come a cropper in Cardiff would be enormous, what with everyone expecting England to run away with this match, let alone win it. Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard?s absences through injuries is a blow although shouldn?t be telling, while there is even a suggestion that Capello maybe set to dump Lampard, who hasn?t been up to standard for quite some time and has a dismal time of things in South Africa last summer, and replace him with a newer model in the form of Arsenal?s teenage superstar, Jack Wilshere.

 

Head-to-Head

Wales wins ? 15
England wins ? 64
Draws ? 21

In Wales

Wales wins ? 6
England wins ? 30
Draws ? 12

 

Betting

Match Prediction: England to WIN ? 1.44 Coral

There has been a lot of unnecessary fuss made about Bale?s latest injury setback, and how the Welshman?s absence has paved the way for an English victory in Cardiff. If I?m honest, I didn?t see how Bale was going to really affect the game anyway. I had 4-1 etched into my head before I heard the news. That simply becomes a more tidier and routine 4-0 now that Wales? creative options have taken a serious hit.

On a serious note, I had my fair share of concerns before I even heard the news that Gareth Bale would play no part in proceedings. Defensively they are extremely vulnerable, their midfield doesn?t have the necessary creative influence to really trouble a heavily protected England goal while up front, although Craig Bellamy can be a handful with his pace, there isn?t a proven goalscorer, certainly not at international level.

It should be very easy for Fabio Capello?s men. Nothing more needs to be said other than this could be a handsome win for the Three Lions should they really go out with a determination and desire to want to score goals.

Value Bet: England to WIN 4-0 (Correct Score) ? 23.00 BlueSquare

 

Match odds (Win-Draw-Win):

Wales ? 9.00 PaddyPower
Draw ? 4.75 VictorChandler
England ? 1.44 Coral

 

Switzerland V Wales

Tuesday, 12th October ? 19:30 GMT
UEFA EURO 2012 Qualifier: Group G
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD2

 

Switzerland

Group G Position: 5th
Group G Form: LL

The Swiss have yet to break out of the starting blocks in EURO 2012 Qualifying. Rooted to the bottom of Group G thanks to back-to-back defeats at the hands of England and Montenegro, even Tuesday night rivals Wales find themselves better off in the standings than a Switzerland side ranked 17th in the world, just one of many reasons why Tuesday?s meeting with the Welsh is a must win game for Ottmar Hitzfeld?s charges.

When the draw was made, just about everyone came to the conclusion that England?s main competition in a pretty lightweight Group G would be that of Switzerland. However, so far at least, that hasn?t proved the case as defeats to England (3-1) and Montenegro (1-0) have left them bottom of the group and still searching for their first points of the campaign. Tuesday, though, brings about the arrival of Wales, who like themselves are pointless and potentially just a couple more disappointing results away from early elimination.

In fairness, the Swiss were never going to dominate the group but better, far better, was expected from them especially as it was them who claimed the scalps of European and World champions Spain in South Africa ? The only team to have beaten Spain during the summer?s finals. But instead of getting straight back down to business, Switzerland appear to be nursing what seems a World Cup hangover, having not won since those finals. In fact, Switzerland have only managed one goal since the World Cup came to an end, while in ten matches since the turn of the year, Ottmar Hitzfeld has seen his charges manage just five goals, so it shouldn?t take the former Champions League winners long to detect the problem. And it could lead to the former Bavarian making a brave but perhaps correct move in dropping a Swiss legend in the form of Alexander Frei. While the FC Basel striker may have a decent goal return for his country, having scored 40 goals in 80 caps, Frei hasn?t scored an international goal in over a year meaning it could be time to thrust fresh blood into the limelight.

Either way, Hitzfeld needs to make changes of some sort if he?s to changes Switzerland?s fortunes on the pitch. Then again, Switzerland began in a similarly sluggish fashion when gaining qualification for the 2010 World Cup, beginning with one point from their opening two qualifiers before winning six of their following seven qualifiers. If the Swiss are to resurrect their campaign then victory over Wales on Tuesday night is imperative, as anything less would leave them in a fragile state.

 

Wales

Group G Position: 4th
Group G Form: LL

Pointless Wales will find EURO 2012 Qualifying just that if they don?t get their act in gear quick and start picking up some points, with the Welsh Dragons yet to register their first point in EURO Qualifying Group G and seemingly appear all but out of the running already, with their just six games left for Wales to redeem themselves and somehow drag themselves out from the pits of despair and back into qualification contention.

The change in management, with John Toshack resigning following stinging criticism after Wales opened their account with a 1-0 defeat away in Montenegro and Brian Flynn taking charge in his place, has done nothing to improve the team?s fortunes on the pitch, if not hamper their chances of making the cut for Poland & Indiaraine further. The 1-0 home defeat to Bulgaria on Friday was their second 1-0 loss of the campaign ? losing to Montenegro first time out last month ? and have Switzerland?s inferior goal difference to thank for keeping Wales off the bottom of the table.

The good news for all you brave Welsh folk is your opponent on Tuesday night are that of Switzerland, who may well be a great deal better than yourselves on paper but are also pointless after two outings. However, the bad news is the Swiss have played the group?s best performers up till now in England and Montenegro, whereas Wales also lost the latter but were beaten by a Bulgarian side which was swept aside by the English in a 4-0 rout. Whatever way you look at it, Wales are in dire straights. It?s impossible to put a positive spin of things as Wales are now at the bottom of the barrel and will find life tough scraping out results.

I would love to sit here and say ?Wales simply have to throw everything they have at Switzerland and go for it? but that just isn?t possible. Two strikers who can get goals at this level ? Craig Bellamy & Robert Earnshaw ? are out of action and not at Flynn?s disposal, while the rest of the team just doesn?t hold up against world-class outfits. Now, the Swiss aren?t exactly world-class but they are an established side boasting a manager with tactical nous and several dangerously talented individuals. It just doesn?t bode and matters could soon turn from worse to dire ? We?ve already passed the bad to worse stage I?m afraid.

 

Match Prediction: Switzerland to WIN ? 1.50 Boylesports

The Welsh looked ordinary away in Montenegro first time out and just as hapless second time out, also in defeat, at home to Bulgaria. The latter result in particular will be a bitter pill to swallow for both the Wales fans and players, who genuinely believed victory was achievable against a nation far superior in the technical department.  The fact of the matter is, Wales are still a distance away from the level of standard needed to be competitive at this level, while the absence of strikers Robert Earnshaw and Craig Bellamy hasn?t helped and will once again aid them in their downfall on Tuesday night against a Switzerland desperate to relocate the winning track.

Over/Under: Over 2.5 Goals ? 2.25 Unibet

I worry for Wales. Although they were only narrowly beaten by Bulgaria on Friday, the fact it was a match which had everyone hopeful, some even expectant, of victory means regaining that level of optimism will be doubly difficult, especially as their next task is a great deal more difficult, perhaps even inevitable. If the Swiss seize the initiative early on then we see no way back for Wales, with a rout on the cards possibly. 

First Goalscorer: Alexander Frei ? 5.00 SkyBet

Its been a long time coming but Frei, playing in a familiar club environment, can finally end his year-long drought for an international against hapless and hopeless Wales. Plus, from what I remember, Frei takes all the penalties.

 

Match Odds:

Switzerland ? 1.50 Boylesports
Draw ? 4.30 Unibet
Wales ? 8.00 WilliamHill

 

Wales V Bulgaria

Friday, 8th October ? 19:30 GMT
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD3

 

Wales

Group G Position: 3rd
Group G Form: L

If you?re a Wales fan, and more credit to you if you are, then 1976 should be a poignant year as it was the last time Wales qualified for a major tournament; the 1976 European Championship. The plan is to be competing in the 2012 Championships in Poland and Indiaraine but their hopes have already been dashed by an early defeat in Montenegro, while the departure of John Toshack as manager has also cast doubts over the togetherness of the team at a time when they desperately need points in order to drag themselves back in Group G contention, although, what with England running riot, it would seem only second place is now up for grabs anyhow

To be brutally honest, Wales were never going to top Group G anyway, with the play-off?s always the realistic goal for a country starved of competition. 34 years is an awfully long time to go without an appearance at a major finals. Heck, England entered a year of depression when failing to make the cut for the 2008 EURO?s, so we understand your pain. The problem recently has been the lack of depth within Welsh football, or simply just the lack of talent in the Wales set up. That has steadily improved over the years but it still isn?t enough to really make them contenders when it comes to qualifying from what are always going to be difficult groups because of their lower seeding.

Fans do at least have a couple of reasons to be positive with regards to the state of the team. The goalkeeper slot never goes uncontested, with Wayne Hennessey and Boaz Myhill both considering themselves up for the job. Both Gareth Bale and Joe Ledley have come on leaps and bounds in recent season, with Bale arguably enjoying the best spell of his career currently with Tottenham Hotspur, while the experience of playing in the Champions League against some of Europe?s finest will prove invaluable, while Joe Ledley is now mixing it with the big boys up in Scotland with Celtic. Finally Wales are beginning to produce some stars for the future, and hopefully forward Simon Church, currently of Reading in the Championship but a player every I talk to rates highly, will complete a switch to a big team sooner or later. However, until the majority of this Welsh set up sign for bigger clubs, thus competing against the very best and at the most demanding level, Wales will struggle to remain competitive on the international scene, as proven just a month ago away in Montenegro against a side not all that great in fairness.

This will, of course, be Brian Flynn?s first game in charge of Wales, although on a strictly caretaker basis. Flynn has confirmed that he is seriously interested in the post on a full-time basis but will need to boost his stock if he?s to impress the Welsh FA. However, life has been made tougher for Flynn without Craig Bellamy and Roberto Earnshaw who between them seem to score the majority of Wales? goals these days. It means there isn?t a single topflight striker in the Wales squad for Friday?s encounter, just eight altogether in fact, to lament my concerns over the state of Welsh football.

 

Bulgaria

Group G Position: 5th
Group G Form: LL

Like their opponents, Bulgaria are also under new management after the resignation of former coach Stanimir Stoilov following a disappointing start to Euro Qualifying. Bulgaria opened their account with an emphatic 4-0 defeat at Wembley against England, although they were better than the scoreline suggested, before shooting themselves in the foot next time out with a 1-0 loss at home to Montenegro, who have now gained full control of second spot with back-to-back wins over both Wales and Bulgaria.

Before qualifying for the EURO?s started, Bulgaria were favourites to clinch second position, with the assumption being that England would comfortably qualify via a top of the table finish. That assumption is baring fruit, with England top of the group following successive wins over Bulgaria and Switzerland meaning Bulgaria have a job on their hands just to claim the scraps. And new Bulgaria manager Lothar Matthaus will quickly come to realise that getting his hands on England?s sloppy seconds won?t be easy, with his team already squandering two opportunity to add crucial points onto the board leaving him with just six games to turn their fortunes around. It kinda looks impossible to the naked eye, and it effectively will be should they suffer defeat in Cardiff on Friday, but victory in Wales would rekindle their Euro aspirations and perhaps the recruitment of a German great may just provide the kick up the backside the Bulgarians were clearly in need of.

In fairness, we didn?t think Bulgaria performed all that badly against England at Wembley a month ago. Technically they were sound, passing the ball around both at ease and in an accomplished fashion, while their attacking play was often a joy to watch; getting the ball forward not just with pace but with precision. So why were they on the receiving end of an English hiding? Simple really, and former Bulgaria coach Stoilov touched on this very matter in the aftermath of the two losses, Bulgaria don?t have a recognised striker. Stoillov bemoaned Berbatov?s decision to enter into retirement and it was easy to see why, as had Berbatov played then England wouldn?t have kept a clean sheet against them, that?s for sure. The Bulgarians had their chances, manufactured all on their own doing, but spurned every single one of them.

Matthaus doesn?t have a notable striker to call upon either for Friday?s ?Must Win? encounter with Wales. Ivelin Popov (Gaziantespor) and Dimitar Rangelov (Maccabi Tel Aviv) ? and those ?things? in brackets are the clubs they play for ? will start up front in Cardiff for Bulgaria. Between them, the pair have scored just four goals in 36 appearances, so is it any wonder Stanimir Stoilov lost patience with Bulgaria? For all their majestic play in the centre of the park, Bulgaria let themselves down big time in the final third. You get the impression that the next couple of years are going to involve a lot of stress and heartache for new Bulgaria coach Lothar Matthaus.

 

Match Prediction: Draw ? 3.30 Ladbrokes

Such a difficult match to weigh up, with both sides lacking in the quality department in the final third of the pitch although the strong Welsh contingent inside the Millennium Stadium will be pinning their hopes on Wales putting home advantage to good use as they look to bounce back from a disappointing venture to Montenegro in their only outing in qualifying thus far, which means they?re not out of it just yet and would definitely turn into immediate contenders with victory on Friday.

We have no doubt where the match will be won and that is in midfield, where Bulgaria play their best football. While the Bulgarians have struggled for fire-power without Dimitar Berbatov, if you allow them to create chance after chance then the law of averages would suggest a goal will come about at some point, probably from a midfielder judging by their forwards? abysmal scoring returns for their country. Wales need to but their opponents off at the source and that means whoever starts in midfield, probably David Edwards, David Vaughan, Joe Ledley and Gareth Bale, need to make their presence felt very early on and not allow the Bulgarian to get up ahead of steam. Boss the midfield and we feel the match and three massive points are there to for the taken for Wales.

However, with the way these two have been playing in the final third, we can?t see past a stalemate in Cardiff.

Soccer-Betting Value Bet: 0-0 Correct Score ? 8.50 Unibet

 

Match Odds:

Wales ? 2.75 WilliamHill
Draw ? 3.30 Ladbrokes
Bulgaria ? 2.88 Bet365

 

Montenegro V Wales

Friday, 3rd September ? 18:30 GMT
EURO 2012, Group G Qualifier

 

Montenegro

Zlatko Kranjcar, father of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Niko, will manage the newest international team on the block as Montenegro aim to qualify for their first major tournament since gaining full UEFA membership in 2007, when splitting from neighbours Serbia. However, Kranjcar has already bemoaned the lack of the country?s most coveted star in Fiorentina?s Stevan Jovetic, who famously scored a brace against Liverpool in the 2009/2010 UEFA Champions League but will not feature for his country against until next year as he recovers from a serious knee injury.

Despite being an active international side for just three years, Montenegro are ranked a modest 72 in the world and find themselves twelve places better off than their Group G opponents Wales in the latest FIFA rankings. That doesn?t, however, entitle Hrabri Sokoolovi to three points and the team will need to battle on gamely without their star player if they wish to make the perfect start to qualifying, although household names are few and far between. One name in particular, though, which does stand out is AS Roma?s clinical finisher, Mirko Vucinic, whom has racked up 9 goals in 19 appearances for Montenegro and will look to inspire team-mates with his goals as he leads by example as team captain.

The home side will feel they have already won the mental battle between themselves and Wales having beaten the Welsh in the only previous meeting between the two, when Montenegro recorded a 2-1 win in Podgorica via goals from Jovetic and Radomir Djalovic. The former is obviously not available to strike again against the Welsh but the fact this fixture is being played in the exact same venue could have a huge baring on the outcome of the game.

 

Wales

It?s been 44 years since Welsh fans last entertained the fact that they were competing in a major tournament, with the 1976 European Championships their last and only major qualifying triumph for the country since participating in their also one and only FIFA World Cup back in 1958. On both occasions Wales reached the quarter-finals, an omen perhaps should John Toshack complete the Welsh dream and take his country of birth to the 2012 European Championships in Poland-Indiaraine.

I don?t know about you Welsh fans out there but this current crop assembled by Toshack seems a half-decent bunch to me, with a useful mixture of hardened Premiership veterans and genuine world-class potential. All Wales fans need to complete the mix would be Ryan Giggs? announcement that retirement is no longer for him, although that?s an unlikely scenario. To be honest, Wales have a player in the form of the great Ryan Giggs, arguably the greatest Welsh player to have ever lived alongside Ian Rush of course, in Tottenham?s coming of age defender/midfielder Gareth Bale, who in the last couple of seasons has come on leaps and bounds in the Premiership and is beginning to earn the worldwide reputation for being a lethal winger for Spurs.

Taking into account my little knowledge of the Montenegro team, I would say Wales are more than a match for their Group G openers and only need to cast the away factor aside to claim a positive result in Podgorica this Friday. Granted their defence is a little suspect, but the wealth of attacking options now at John Toshack?s disposal finally makes Wales a tidy little force to be reckoned with. The seemingly hostile relationship between manager and Bellamy seems to have diminished as the now Cardiff striker is set to start in Montenegro, of which any one of Simon Church, Ched Evans or Robert Earnshaw would provide a suitable strike-partner, although preference is likely to be for the pace of 29 year-old Robert Earnshaw. It is, though, the amount of creativity in the midfield which impresses us the most and will have Wales fans in unison believing that 2012 could be the year when Wales end their wait for participation in a major tournament.

 

Match Verdict: Wales to WIN ? 4.50 Bet365

You cannot underestimate how much weaker Montenegro are without their linchpin, Stevan Jovetic, who really does make the team tick. Everything positive goes through the Viola playmaker, and now the hopes of a nation rest upon Mirko Vucinic shoulders, just about the one and only remaining high profile name inside the camp.

John Toshack will be missing his fair share of key components too, with Darcy Blake, Brian Stock and Andrew Crofts all dropping out with injuries, but there?s something potent about Wales? attacking line which has us thinking that perhaps Toshack?s side will produce a performance of high calibre needed to overhaul the Montenegro team on their own patch. The form of two players in particular will be pivotal; Gareth Bale looking to continue where he?s left off for Spurs this season when scoring twice at the weekend in a 2-1 win over Stoke City, while Craig Bellamy now has his confidence and self-belief back following his loan move back to his homeland, Cardiff.

At enticing odds, we?re on the Welsh to spring a mini surprise by beating Montenegro in their own backyard.

Soccer-Betting Value Tip: Craig Bellamy First Goalscorer ? 9.00 VCbet

Match Odds:

Montenegro ? 1.91 PaddyPower
Draw ? 3.40 Boylesports
Wales ? 4.50 Bet365