Wales travel to Prague to face Czech Republic on Friday evening

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Wales travel to Prague to face Czech Republic on Friday evening in a crucial World Cup 2022 qualifying clash for both sides. The teams are level on points ahead of the game at Eden Arena in their battle for second place behind runaway Group E leaders Belgium.

Belgium already look to have won World Cup Qualification (WCQ) Group E, so the battle for second place and that all-important playoff spot looks set to be between the Czech Republic and Wales. The Czechs, who had an impressive Euro 2020 showing, were only downed by a late goal in Cardiff in the reverse fixture, but revenge here would be sweet considering it would put the Czech Republic three points clear of Wales with just Belarus and Estonia to play in the group.

That’s easier said than done, especially when Wales have impressively kept the hosts goalless in three of the four previous H2Hs (W1, D2, L1) – albeit the Czechs’ win was in the only previous meeting on their own turf. To repeat that victory in this crucial clash, scoring first is key, as seven of the Czech Republic’s last eight competitive matches saw the first scorer go on to win.

Wales were left rueing missed chances in September as they were held goalless in Cardiff by Group E minnows Estonia, a result that could come back to burn the ‘Dragons’ in their quest for a first World Cup appearance since 1958. The hosts do have a WCQ game in hand on their opponents though, but still have a fixture vs Belgium to play too, so boss Robert Page knows his side must go for victory if they want to obtain second spot in Group E.

With both sides sitting on seven points and goal difference the potential tie breaker, Wales need goals, but six of their last nine wins came by just a 1-0 scoreline.

Date: 08/10/2021
Time: 21:45
Venue: Sinobo Stadium (Prague)
Pick for this match:
“1” – @ 1.65 ( BETWINNER )