Euro 2016 Qualifier preview and odds: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Wales

Published on: 09/10/2015

Euro 2016 Qualifier preview and odds: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Wales

October 10, 2015 19:45pm Stadion Bilino Polje

Euro 2016 Group B

Wales are agonisingly close to confirming their place at their first major international tournament in over 50 years. On Saturday they face a Bosnia and Herzegovina team that still has a realistic chance of making the play-offs.

Wales on the brink

Chris Coleman`s men will almost certainly be lining up at next years UEFA European Championships in France, but until qualification is mathematically confirmed the Welsh Coach is not getting carried away.

A win or draw in Zenica would be enough to spark celebrations in Wales but they can still qualify automatically with a defeat depending on how other results play out.

If they lose both of their remaining games and Israel win both of theirs, Wales could be forced to enter the play-offs providing Belgium beat Andorra.

The last time a Welsh national team featured in the finals of a major tournament was back in 1958 when they made it to the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup in Sweden. On that occasion, Jimmy Murphy`s men were beaten by eventual champions Brazil.

Bosnia and Herzegovina retain play-off hopes

Bosnia and Herzegovina have their own targets in mind with a place in the play-offs still up for grabs. In order to progress, Mehmed Badarević`s team need to overhaul third-ranked Israel and a win against Wales would keep their Euro ambitions alive going into the final game.

Israel have a better record in their head-to-head games and would progress to the play-offs should they finish level on points with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Team news

The hosts will be without Muhamed Beić who is banned for the final two group matches. Meanwhile, Roma`s Edin Dzeko faces a race to be fit for Saturday`s clash.

Wales will be without the injured David Cotterill who has been replaced in the squad by Wes Burns of Bristol City.

Recent form (Euro Qualifying)

Bosnia and Herzegovina: WLWWL

Wales: DWWWD

Betting odds and tips

The two sides played out a 0-0 draw in their first Group B encounter in Cardiff. That was the first time they had ever met in a competitive match.

The home side`s last five matches have all paid out in the Over 2.5 goals market however only one of Wales` last five games has produced this outcome.

Wales are currently enjoying the longest unbeaten streak in the clubs history - a record that stretches back 10 competitive games - and have only conceded three goals during that spell.

Avoiding defeat will be the priority for Chris Coleman and we may see a slightly more cautious approach from the Welsh. A point would be enough to see them through and you can back the draw at 13/5 with Bet365. Meanwhile, Real Madrid star Gareth Bale can be backed at 21/10 with Unibet to score anytime.

Published on: 09/10/2015

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (09/10/2015 10:39:13) but are subject to change.