Slovakia vs Wales Prediction: EURO 2020 Qualifiers

10.10.2019

Slovakia and Wales face off at the Anton Malatinský Stadium in Trnava on Thursday in one of the most open Euro 2020 qualifying groups. 22Bet – online sports betting site offers their view on what the outcome would be.

Wales currently lies fourth group E but with a game in hand and just four points behind top-placed side Croatia.

Slovakia sits second on nine points and will hope to pull clear of Hungary who also travels to Croatia on Thursday.

Wales and Slovakia faced in each other in the last European Championships in France, with Wales coming out 2-1 winners, while they also had the best of the reverse fixture in Cardiff winning 1-0.

Team News 

Wales will be without Bournemouth winger David Brooks who has sustained an injury that Wales manager Ryan Giggs fears could keep him out the rest of the qualifying campaign.

However, Derby County player Tom Lawrence has retained his place in the squad despite his recent involvement in a drink driving incident that left Richard Keogh injured.

Gareth Bale will be available following his return to favor at Real Madrid, while Manchester United winger Daniel James will hope to translate his excellent club form onto the international stage.

Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey has also been named in the squad after missing the most recent round of fixtures through injury.

For Slovakia, former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel is back in the squad after returning to football with the Turkish club İstanbul Başakşehir.

Skrtel left former club Atalanta in September without playing a single minute of football.

Coach Pavel Harpal will have captain Marek Hamsik to choose from, as well as Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

Ondrej Duda, who scored the equalizer in the Euro 2016 group stage match between these two sides, will also be available for selection.

Match prediction

Wales has been inconsistent since Ryan Giggs took over from Chris Coleman as manager following their failed attempt to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

At times their attacking quality has shown, but the defensive solidity shown during their run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 has not been on display often enough.

Slovakia continues to prove a tricky opponent but has once again failed to take the step up and win against top tier opponents.

As well as their defeat to Wales, Slovakia lost 4-0 against World Cup finalists Croatia and will want to prove they are able to win against sides like Wales, that have designs on another run to the knockout stages of a major international tournament.

Talisman Hamsik is now 32, but Slovakia will have plenty of hopes placed on 22-year-old attacking midfielder László Bénes who has impressed for Bundesliga table-toppers Borussia Mönchengladbach.

For Giggs, this is a make or break match with a defeat likely putting an end to Wales’ hopes of qualification.

Slovakia is a strong side, but with Bale and Ramsey back in the team and playing well at club level, Wales are my favorites for a 1-0 victory in Trnava.