Star quality to settle it
After the success of 2016, the path to Euro 2020 begins now for Wales. A second successive European Championship appearance will largely depend on winning games such as Sunday’s home encounter with Slovakia. But can The Dragons deliver?
Big guns back
The defeat of Trinidad on Wednesday night in Wrexham won’t live long in the memory for Wales and Ryan Giggs. A blend of youth and experience saw the hosts eventually squeeze past opponents ranked 93rd in the FIFA rankings.
The absence of Bale and Ramsey meant Wales were far from full tilt on the night, nonetheless, a win is a win and this will only breed confidence ahead of Sunday when we can expect the two golden boys of Welsh football to return to the starting XI.
It’s hard to come across a pair so vital to one nation’s chances of success than these two. Without them, Wales are a distinctly average outfit. But with Bale and Ramsey in full flow, they’re are a force to be reckoned with as we all found out at Euro 2016 when the tournament debutants made headlines by reaching the last four.
Spirit of 2016 needed
Wales’ first game en route to the semis three years ago, was in fact against Slovakia. A 2-1 opening victory back then was crucial in the context of the group with England to play next. They of course lost to the Three Lions in Lens but the taking of all three points beforehand gave them the platform to then go and progress the way they did.
Giggs’ side need to inject early impetus
Wales need to do likewise here. With a trip to Croatia to follow In June, Giggs’ side need to inject early impetus into qualifying and strike an early blow to the hopes of a side they're in direct competition with for second place.
You’d expect World Cup finalists Croatia to occupy top spot and so that leaves Wales fighting it out with Slovakia, and possibly Hungary, for that elusive runners-up position. As with the last time this fixture was played, the stakes are high, even this early on.
Homesick Slovaks
The significance of this game won’t be lost on recently appointed Slovakia manager Pavel Hapal but he has inherited a side that just do not seem to enjoy life on the road.
This was apparent early on for Hapal who managed to oversee a win at home in the Nations League but witnessed his side lose away to the Czech Republic, a defining result that cost them relegation.
The fact this was the sixth loss in seven away fixtures (in all comps), is perhaps the more pressing matter for the new boss though.
Slovakia’s last success as a visiting team came against Lithuania almost two years ago.
An inability to back up a solid sequence of home results with points away from Trnava is an issue Hapal will need to address if Slovakia are to compete in this group.
Betting tip
Don’t be misguided by Wales’ struggles the other night - the hosts may have struggled in breaking down inferior quality but they were without their star duo.
The return of Bale and Ramsey, well rested and raring to go, is a game changer that should swing the points in favour of the home side.
Backing a Wales win seems a no-brainer especially with odds of 23/20 (2.15) providing good value.
