Slovakia v Wales: Goals prevalent between well-matched pair

WALES are back in Euro 2020 qualifying action on Thursday night with a tough contest in Slovakia on the cards. Anthony Olsson (@Ant_olsson93) is on-hand to lend his betting views.

Slovakia v Wales | Thursday 10th October 2019, 19:45 | Sky Sports

International football is back and Wales have two huge games coming up in their quest for Euro 2020 qualification. Their first big game is away from home against Slovakia, who are three points ahead of the Dragons in second place in the group.

Slovakia boast a good home record of late having won nine of their last 13 fixtures as hosts. They’ll be hindered in this one as the game will be played behind closed doors due a ban put in place by UEFA. The home side will be looking to gain revenge for a 1-0 loss at the hands of the visitors back at the start of the campaign.

Realistically, Wales need a win in this match to keep alive their hopes of qualification and they’ll have a collection of stars back to help. Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen, Harry Wilson and Daniel James are all expected to feature. The inclusion of these players makes Wales a much better side and they could help them defy their odds of 21/10 to win the match.

Since the start of qualification for Euro 2016, Wales have gone W9-D3-L4 when Bale, Ramsey and Joe Allen have all played at least a half each. Whilst that stat doesn’t make Wales unbeatable, it definitely does show that they’re a much better side.

This game is a tricky one and neither side is currently in great form. Slovakia’s home record is made up of wins against a lot of poorer sides on the international scene; they were also recently hammered 4-0 by Croatia. Wales have struggled to score goals in the campaign with only four in as many games. They have also conceded four goals and failed to keep a clean sheet against Azerbaijan.

I do feel that Wales a very capable of putting a good performance but there are question marks over their away form with four losses in five. It’s also hard to trust the strength of Slovakia’s home record and I think that this one most likely ends in a draw. The stalemate is 11/5 (Bet365) and I think that’s a good angle for two sides who look evenly matched.

I do like the Both Teams To Score angle in this one. Slovakia have been able to score in four out of their last five here and I think they should be again in this match with Wales not being overly strong at the back. Wales possess a lot of talent in front of goal with Bale and Wilson and I think they’ll be dangerous on the break. BTTS is 21/20 (William Hill) and I’m happy to take that on.