Czech Republic v Wales betting tips: Wales sure to miss Bale

Preview and odds for Friday’s World Cup qualifier

Wales travel to Prague in a crucial World Cup qualifier on Friday and we look at the odds to find some Czech Republic v Wales betting tips.

Belgium are runaway leaders in Group E but with the Czech Republic in second on the same number of points as Wales, this is a key game for both sides.

Friday’s match, which takes place at the Eden Arena, is live on Sky Sports and kicks off at 7.45pm.

Czech Republic v Wales match odds

With Belgium already seemingly out of sight with 16 points from six games, the race is on for second place and the Czech Republic and Wales both go in search of their third win.

Wales have only played four matches in the group so far and could technically go within touching distance of the top spot should they win their games in hand.

While that is not likely to happen, gaining a point or more in Prague could put them in the driving seat for the runner-up berth, as they have played one game fewer than the Czechs, who are in second spot on goal difference.

The Dragons, who have lost two of their last 16 World Cup qualifiers (W7 D7), are 9/2 to win in Prague and it is 11/10 that they win or draw the game on the Double Chance market.

Czech Republic have only lost two of their last 16 home major tournament qualifiers and have won six of their last seven since a 2-1 defeat to Germany in September 2017.

They are 8/11 to defeat Wales, while the draw, which has been the outcome in two of the last four meetings, is on offer at 12/5.

Czech Republic v Wales head-to-head

Including their games as Czechoslovakia, Wales have lost every single away match they’ve played against the Czechs, losing all six in either European Championship or World Cup qualifying, most recently in September 2006.

However, they have kept clean sheets in three of their last four games against them, although they have won only one of those. It is 3/1 that Wales keep a clean sheet this time, while it is 7/5 that the Czechs win to nil.

Wales won their previous meeting in Cardiff 1-0 in March, with Dan James netting the decisive goal eight minutes from time. The visitors can be backed at 21/10 to score the first goal this time in Czech Republic v Wales betting tips.

Only once in the last four meetings has there been three goals or more scored and it is 8/15 that fewer than three goals will be scored this time.

Czech Republic v Wales team news

Gareth Bale, the hat-trick hero of Wales’ victory over Belarus, will be missing due to a hamstring injury. He has accounted for 20 of Wales’ 49 shots in their World Cup qualifiers so far, and will be a big miss.

Aaron Ramsey returns to Robert Page’s squad, while Huddersfield winger Sorba Thomas has been called up for what would be his first cap should he be selected.

Czech Republic v Wales key battles

The Czechs are tough to beat, and Wales will do well to shut down Patrik Schick (pictured above), who has been involved in 13 goals in his last 13 starts for the Czech Republic (11 goals, two assists).

He has scored in five of his last six starts for his national team and will be of interest in the anytime goalscorer market.

View the latest Czech Republic v Wales odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication