Wales v Czech Republic predictions: Tomas Soucek a key danger man for Czechs

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Wales v Czech Republic in the World Cup 2022 European Qualifiers on Tuesday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event, 7.45pm Tuesday

Best bet

Tomas Soucek first goalscorer
1pt each-way 10-1 bet365

Team news

Wales
Defenders Ben Davies and Tom Lockyer were forced to withdraw from the squad, as was Joe Allen who limped off in the defeat to Belgium. Aaron Ramsey and David Brooks are out and Hal Robson-Kanu, Rabbi Matondo and Tyler Roberts have been sent home after breaching protocols.

Czech Republic
Jaroslav Silhavy has a full-strength squad to choose from with Vladimir Darida and Patrik Schick back in contention.

Match preview

Premier League spectators will know all too well about the dangers of Tomas Soucek and the towering Czech Republic midfielder may cause serious harm to Wales's World Cup qualifying hopes at the Cardiff City Stadium.

This is a game that already carries great significance in Group E as defeat for Wales would leave them without a point after two matches and seven behind the Czechs.

With heavyweights Belgium also involved in this section, the Dragons’ qualification prospects are likely to rest on their personal duel with Czech Republic and an early home defeat could be costly.

Wales were beaten 3-1 in Belgium in their first World Cup qualifier last Wednesday, but they scored with their only effort on goal and there was an obvious gulf in class.

There is no shame in being no match for Belgium, but the problem for Wales is that the Czech Republic were extremely competitive when they hosted The Red Devils just three days later.

Full of confidence having kickstarted their qualifying campaign with a 6-2 rout of Estonia, Jaroslav Silhavy’s men served it up to the Belgians and fully deserved a 1-1 draw.

The Czechs had less possession but they won the shot count 14-9 - they had six efforts on target to Belgium’s four - and were a constant threat from set-pieces.

Things could have got even better for Czech Republic late on as a Soucek header was cleared off the line, and the in-form West Ham man could be the difference in Wales.

The box-to-box midfielder has been one of the most influential players in the Premier League this season and he continues to chip in with vital goals as West Ham hunt down European qualification.

The 26-year-old has grabbed nine goals in 29 Premier League starts this term and he is proving just as effective for Czech Republic, netting seven times in 32 appearances.

Soucek bagged a hat-trick in last week’s 6-2 win over Estonia and prior to that opened the scoring as the Czechs toppled Slovakia 2-0 in the Nations League.

In a game likely to be decided by fine margins, set-pieces could be all-important and there is no better weapon to have than Soucek.

However, the happy Hammer is proving just as dangerous from open play, so at 10-1 he warrants each-way support to grab the game’s first goal.

Although Czech Republic appear the likely winners, while they were doing battle with Belgium, Page was able to select a weakened line-up as Wales recorded a 1-0 friendly success at home to Mexico.

A refreshed squad should give the hosts some sort of advantage and they are buoyed by an 11-game unbeaten run on their own patch.

Key stat

Tomas Soucek has scored eight goals from just 18 appearances for club and country in 2021.

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