UEFA EURO 2020 Qualifying: Slovakia vs Wales

Wales come into this round fighting for their Euro 2020 qualification hopes as they meet second-placed Slovakia in Trnava in Group E.

A win for the Welsh could lift them above Slovakia into the second automatic qualification spot, whilst a draw between Croatia and Hungary coupled with a home win will send The Falcons top.

 

Team news

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Slovakia have a full squad available for selection with Newcastle’s Martin Dubravka amongst their players called up for this month’s fixtures. 

Wales will be without defender, Chris Mepham after he withdrew from the squad with a calf injury. 

There are also fitness doubts surrounding Juventus’ Aaron Ramsey and Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale, as the former missed Saturday’s win over Inter Milan with a muscle issue whilst Bale has struggled for game time in Spain. 

 

Stat Attack 

• Wales are unbeaten in three of four meetings with Slovakia (W3, L1).
• Both teams have scored in three of their four meetings, only failing to do so in their last meeting in March which Wales won by a 1-0 result.
• Four of Wales’ last five conceded goals have come after half-time.

 

Prediction 

This is a real six pointer for both teams and after Wales edged their last meeting in March, I can see another tight encounter between two evenly matched teams here in Trnava. 

I therefore am expecting a hard fought scrappy game here and if Bale features, I think he could show a moment of magic that swings the three points to the Welsh. 

Prediction: Slovakia 1-2 Wales

Result: Slovakia 1-1 Wales