World Cup 2022: Clash with Czechs is a Crucial Test for Wales

Wales vs Czech Republic

It’s far too early to press the panic button, but when the Czech Republic head to the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday they’ll find their hosts under some early pressure.

As they embark, hopefully, on the road to Qatar 2022 Wales have been drawn in a tough Group E with Belgium, the top ranked side in the world, alongside difficult opponents Belarus and Estonia. And, while these are early days, an expected defeat to Belgium would turn into double disaster if the Welsh can’t avoid another setback against the dangerous Czechs.

World Cup 2022: Wales vs Czech Republic could actually turn out to be an early battle for second place, so it’s fair to say there is an awful lot riding on the hosts’ second game of the Qatar World Cup qualifiers.

Talking Points

Wales reliant on Bale (as always)

Robert Page’s Wales were swept aside by Belgium in their opening fixture where, despite going ahead early on, they were never really in the game. Harry Wilson gave the Welsh the perfect start but goals from Kevin de Bruyne, Thorgan Hazard and Romelu Lukaku took the match away.

Gareth Bale provided Wilson’s opener but, in the absence of Aaron Ramsay, the Real Madrid man stands out as the one world class player who Page can call upon. But at 31 years of age and without regular football over the past couple of seasons he is less reliable that he was three or four years ago. For sure, the brilliance is still there and it will shine from time to time, as Spurs fans will testify, but Wales need Bale to fire every time he pulls on the red shirt.

You only have to name-check Belgium’s three scorers to see the breadth of quality they will come up against and the Czech Republic have some impressive players in their ranks.

The hosts will be without the experienced midfielder Joe Allen, who lasted only seven minutes against the Red Devils and will be sidelined by a soft tissue injury. And James Lawrence, who currently plays for St Pauli, is unsure whether he will be allowed to travel due to COVID restrictions.

Page rested his first 11 in a friendly against Mexico on Saturday, a game the second string won thanks to a well taken goal by Kieffer Moore, so the boss will be pleased he has some options.

Soucek so good for Czechs

Tomas Soucek and the rest of Czech Republic squad are eager to claim a win over Wales in their World Cup 2022 qualifier — Czech Republic midfielder Tomas Soucek celebrates after scoring their fifth goal versus Estonia

At 42^nd in the FIFA World Rankings the Czech Republic is way behind Wales, currently as high as 18^th, but head coach Jaroslav Silhavy won’t worry about that when his team arrives in Cardiff.

West Ham’s Tomas Soucek has been in brilliant form this season as the Hammers have emerged as surprise European football contenders. He scored in the recent 3-3 draw with Arsenal and he bagged a hat-trick as the Czech Republic destroyed Estonia 6-2 in their opening fixture. Soucek’s going to be in the thick of the Wales vs Czech Republic highlights and I wouldn’t rule out another goal for the happy Hammer.

Silhavy’s men followed up that good start with an equally impressive result against Belgium. Lukas Provod scored a fine goal from distance, with a fierce low shot into the corner, to give the Czechs a well earned draw against Roberto Martinez’ stars.

With Sevilla’s Tomas Vaclik in goal, Hertha midfielder Vladimir Darida as skipper and Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrick Schick and Burnley’s Matej Vydra up front the visitors have plenty of quality running through the team.

History

Wales have met the Czech Republic twice previously, in the 2008 European qualifiers where they played out a goalless draw in Wales while the Czechs won their home fixture 2-1.

Recent form is comparable. Both teams have won three, drawn one and lost one of the last five games and Wales are unbeaten in 11 games at home while the Czechs are unbeaten in four, home and away.

The team’s respective starts to these qualifiers give the Czech’s a slight edge, though we only able to compare results against Belgium.

Betting Tip

	Wales vs Czech Republic	Czech Republic Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 1.73
	March 31, 02:45 (GMT+8)

Keep it here at SBOTOP for all the latest World Cup action as the matches carry on coming thick and fast this week.

This is one of the most fascinating games of the round and the Wales vs Czech Republic betting odds say all three results are in play. The visitors are slight favourites at 2.24 with Wales at 2.74 and the draw at 2.99.

It is a crucial game for Wales, who are strong at home, but I suspect there will be some nerves on show. Both teams would probably settle for a draw right now and, for an outside bet, 1-1 is available at odds of 4.64.