Wales will take on Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday, 26 March, in what could be the start of one of the best weeks in Welsh football history.
Craig Bellamy's side need to overcome Bosnia on Thursday to set up a do-or-die clash with the winners of Italy vs Northern Ireland for a place in the World Cup finals this summer.
While Wales start as favourites for the match, they should not underestimate a Bosnia side that were just 15 minutes away from automatic World Cup qualification.
Before taking a look at the rest of today's betting tips, check out our Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina prediction below.
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Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina key stats
- Wales have won four of their last five competitive home matches by a margin of two goals or more.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina have failed to win six of their last eight competitive away matches.
- Both teams have scored in each of Bosnia and Herzegovina's last five matches.
Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina preview: Hosts to cruise to playoff final
| Wales | vs | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd(Group J) | Position | 2nd(Group H) |
| 16 | Points | 17 |
| 21 | Goals For | 17 |
| 11 | Goals Against | 7 |
| 3 | Clean Sheets | 3 |
Craig Bellamy's tenure as Wales manager has been viewed largely positively by Welsh supporters, but that could quickly change if things go south on Thursday night.
Fortunately for the former Man City and Liverpool forward, his team are usually a reliable bunch on home soil. Belgium are the only side to have defeated Bellamy's Wales in Cardiff in a competitive match since he took over in July 2024, and last time out in the capital, they ran out as 7-1 winners over North Macedonia.
What is perhaps missing from his tenure to date is a big scalp against a 'big' nation. While victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina wouldn't exactly be that, it could set up a showdown with Italy, one of football's biggest powerhouses.
Wales scored a record 21 goals in a qualification campaign.
Bellamy will not be looking too far ahead, though, and will ensure his players are focused on the task at hand. On Thursday night, he will be without some big names, including Ben Davies and Kieffer Moore, due to injuries. Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsey, a stalwart of Welsh football, has been left out due to a lack of playing time.
As far as Bosnia and Herzegovina are concerned, there will still be regrets over how they let slip a 1-0 advantage against Austria in the final round of qualifying. If they had held on for a further 15 minutes, then they would already have their place in the World Cup secured.
Manager Sergej Barbarez is clearly feeling the pressure ahead of the fixture, and the build-up has been dominated by his controversial comments towards Steve Cooper, the Welshman in charge of FC Brondby in Denmark.
Wales have never beaten Bosnia in four previous meetings but the last encounter was more than ten years ago.
Barbarez accused Cooper of dropping Bosnian midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic from his Brondby side in an attempt to derail Bosnia's plans ahead of their clash with Wales. Although he has now apologised for these comments, the damage has likely already been done.
Tahirovic is expected to still play on Thursday night, but Barbarez will be without defender Dennis Hadzikadunic, who has had to withdraw from the squad and return to Sampdoria due to an injury.
Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina form guide & betting tips
| Wales | vs | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
|---|---|---|
| L-L-L-W-W | Form | L-D-W-W-D |
| 10 | Goals For | 11 |
| 9 | Goals Against | 7 |
| L-W-W | World Cup qualifying form | D-W-D |
Whispers predicts: Wales 3-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Wales were stunning last time out against North Macedonia, and if they perform with that same intensity, then 3-1 may end up looking generous towards the visitors. Wales to win with a -1.5 handicap has been priced at 5/2 by Bet365.
Bosnia and Herzegovina are a side with plenty of attacking talent, but their issues at the back are well-documented. They have both scored and conceded in eight of their last 11 matches, and both teams to score on Thursday has been priced at 19/20.
Harry Wilson is having the season of his life, and the Fulham winger netted a hat-trick in his most recent international appearance. Wilson is priced at 12/5 to score anytime on Thursday.
> Anytime goalscorer- Harry Wilson at 12/5 | Likelihood: Probable
> Handicap - Wales -1.5 at 5/2 | Likelihood: Possible
> Both teams to score - Yes at 19/20 | Likelihood: Probable