Estonia v Wales predictions: Welsh forwards look ready to make their mark

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for the World Cup 2022 qualifier between Estonia and Wales on Monday

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event, 7.45pm, Monday

Best bet

Over 1.5 Wales goals
2pts 10-11 general

Team news

Estonia
Thomas Haberli is unlikely to make any changes from the team that beat Belarus 2-0 on Friday

Wales
Gareth Bale remains sidelined with a knee injury while defender Ben Davies and midfielder David Brooks withdrew from the squad before the draw with the Czech Republic.

Match preview

While Wales manager Robert Page would likely have settled for a point in the Czech Republic before Friday's 2-2 draw, he will probably see it as a missed opportunity, so that should ensure a positive approach to their clash with Estonia.

Wales have been clocking up the air miles ever since they were marooned in the outpost of Baku in Azerbaijan for two of their four Euro 2020 matches, but they have shown they can find the net on the road and they should have nothing to fear against the Estonians.

Gareth Bale is missing again with a knee injury, but stand-in skipper Aaron Ramsey scored a well-taken goal in Prague, while Daniel James, galvanised by his move to Leeds United, scored a fine equaliser to earn the Dragons a point.

What suggests a missed opportunity, though, was goalkeeper Danny Ward allowing a Ramsey backpass to slide in under his foot for an own goal, but that aside, it seems like Wales are moving in the right direction under the guidance of stand-in boss Page.

It looks a battle between Wales and the Czech Republic for the playoff place from Group E and a trip to Tallinn could present a timely opportunity for the Dragons to boost their goal difference after scoring seven goals in their five qualifiers to date.

A better chance to do that slipped away when the two teams met in Cardiff earlier in the campaign and played out a goalless draw but Wales did go close enough on a few occasions to suggest the Estonian defence is vulnerable.

Thomas Haberli's side received a tonic by beating Belarus 2-0 at home on Friday, but they lost 5-2 to Belgium, fell 4-2 in the reverse fixture against the Belarusians and were also beaten 6-2 by the Czechs.

Wales were proactive on their trip to the Czech Republic, even though they did end up chasing the game, and that performance was in keeping with the way they have approached their away games in this campaign.

They won 3-2 in Belarus, even if Bale was on hand to score all three goals, and they took the game to group leaders Belgium early on, taking the lead through Fulham's Harry Wilson before falling 3-1.

After conceding an average of three goals per game, it is worth chancing that Estonia won't be able to stop Wales scoring at least twice.

Key stat

Wales have scored in seven of their last eight World Cup qualification and Nations League away games

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