Czech Republic v Wales predictions: Czechs can strike a blow to Wales' chances

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Czech Republic v Wales in World Cup qualifying Group E on Friday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football & S4C, 7.45pm Friday

Best bet

Czech Republic
1pt 3-4 BoyleSports

Team news

Czech Republic
Vladimir Coufal, Jan Boril, Lukas Masopust and Petr Sevcik have withdrawn from the squad.

Wales
Ben Davies and David Brooks (both illness) have joined Gareth Bale (hamstring) on the sidelines but Kieffer Moore and Aaron Ramsey are back in contention.

Match preview

Gareth Bale was the hat-trick hero for Wales in last month's 3-2 success away to Belarus but he is absent for October's round of fixtures due to injury and will likely be sorely missed in Friday's key World Cup qualifier with the Czech Republic in Prague.

Three days after the Welsh came from 2-1 behind to beat Belarus they were held to a 0-0 draw by Estonia in Cardiff, leaving them nine points behind Group E leaders Belgium and level with the Czechs, who have played one game more.

It is shaping up to be a straight shootout between Wales and the Czech Republic to secure second place and a place in the playoffs but the Welsh must be mindful of the need to build a buffer before hosting Belgium in their final match.

A point would be a decent return for them at the Sinobo Stadium but they are up against very strong opponents, who are unbeaten in six home games since a 2-1 Nations League loss to Scotland in September 2020 when a Covid outbreak forced them to select from an entirely second-string squad.

Jaroslav Silhavy's side have had a strong year and impressed at Euro 2020 where they were worthy winners against the Netherlands before succumbing to Denmark in the quarter-finals.

Silhavy has a few injury problems, including the absences of both first choice full-backs – Vladimir Coufal and Jan Boril. But he has a strong midfield – anchored by West Ham's Tomas Soucek – and can usually rely on Patrik Schick to do the business up front.

The Leverkusen forward enjoyed a superb Euros, scoring five goals and sharing top-scorer honours with Cristiano Ronaldo, and he continued that fine form with six goals in seven appearances for Leverkusen in the Bundesliga this season.

The 25-year-old is probably playing the best football of his career and can expose a suspect Wales defence missing influential left-back Ben Davies, who has withdrawn from the squad due to illness.

Wales overcame defensive deficiencies against Belarus because they had a world-class forward in the side.

The availability of Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey is a positive but they definitely look short in attack in Bale's absence and likely centre-forward Kieffer Moore is going through a sticky patch.

It could be a frustrating night for Robert Page's side which would crank up the pressure further before their trip to Estonia on Monday.

Key stat

Czech Republic are unbeaten in their last six home games.

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