SM
Sports Mole words bigger AMP 2
Wednesday, March 19
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Will Wales need another Bale-out in World Cup qualifier against Estonia?

:Headline: Will Wales need another Bale-out in World Cup qualifier against Estonia?:
The two sides have never met in a competitive fixture.
Sports Mole
Will Wales need another Bale-out in World Cup qualifier against Estonia?

Wales play Estonia in a 2022 World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.

Victory would take Wales – who beat Belarus 3-2 in dramatic fashion on Sunday – into second spot behind Group E leaders Belgium.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the talking points surrounding the Cardiff City Stadium clash.

In Bale Wales trust

Gareth Bale celebrates Wales' World Cup qualifying win against Belarus on Sunday (Alexei Nasyrov/AP)

The full list of superlatives for Gareth Bale ran out in Wales a long time ago. For this is a man who almost single-handedly dragged his nation to a first major tournament in 58 years and, when he got there, he galvanised Wales to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016. Bale's desire to inspire Wales knows no bounds but, even by his own lofty standards, his performance against Belarus was extraordinary. The 32-year-old's second international hat-trick, including a stoppage-time winner, took his record goals tally to 36 in 98 games. More importantly, it kept Wales' World Cup qualifying dream alive.

Rodon return needed

Wales' defensive frailties were badly exposed in Kazan as Lokomotiv Moscow striker Vitaly Lisakovich proved too hot to handle. Chris Mepham and James Lawrence looked an uncomfortable centre-back pairing and Belarus should have been out of sight at half-time. Ethan Ampadu is available against Estonia after visa issues prevented him from travelling to Russia. But the news Joe Rodon has joined up with the squad after injury is a huge boost as the Tottenham man is the best centre-back that Wales possess.

What next for Wilson?

Harry Wilson has had a difficult few months in a Wales shirt (Nick Potts/PA)

Harry Wilson's last contribution in a competitive Wales fixture was to kick Denmark defender Joakim Maehle at Euro 2020 and get sent off. Wilson's international fortunes were little better last week when his penalty in the Helsinki friendly against Finland was saved. Wilson was banned for the Belarus qualifier but he has been in good form for new club Fulham. Wilson has scored twice in three games (he was sent off in the other) since his summer move from Liverpool and is expected to have a big part to play in the number 10 role against Estonia with Aaron Ramsey injured.

State of the group

Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has fired Belgium to the top of Wales' World Cup qualifying group (Raul Mee/AP)

Wales' dramatic late win against Belarus kept them within touching distance of Belgium, seven points behind the world's top team with two games in hand. But Belgium have shown little sign of slipping up and Romelu Lukaku's 67th goal on his 100th appearance fired them to a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic on Sunday. Belgium have 13 points and 20 goals from five games. Wales' more achievable ambition is beating the Czechs to second spot and booking a play-off place in March. Victory against Estonia would lift Wales two points above the Czechs with a game in hand ahead of their trip to Prague next month.

Wales' winning record

Robert Earnshaw celebrates scoring from the penalty spot in a 1-0 win when Wales last met Estonia in May 2009 (Barry Coombs/PA)

The two countries have met twice – but never in a competitive fixture. The first meeting came in a Tallinn friendly in May 1994, two years after Estonia's first FIFA-recognised match as an independent nation following the break-up of the Soviet Union. Wales won 2-1 with Ian Rush and David Phillips scoring before Martin Reim pulled one back for Estonia from the penalty spot. Bale and Ramsey were in Wales' youngest-ever starting line-up when the Dragons won a May 2009 friendly 1-0. Robert Earnshaw's 26th-minute penalty secured the Llanelli victory.

body check tags ::

amp_article__462606 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-09-07 10:35:06:
html db last update - 2021-09-07 10:35:06 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Share this article now:
MU
Read Next:
'I am really proud of him' - Wales boss Robert Page salutes Daniel James
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Gareth Bale Harry Wilson Joe Rodon Aaron Ramsey James Lawrence Ian Rush Chris Mepham Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories.
 
Recommended Next on SM
'I am really proud of him' - Wales boss Robert Page salutes Daniel James
'Next week' - Key meeting 'set to be held' to discuss Man United forward's future
Osimhen latest: Man United-linked striker 'to communicate major decision in April'
Confirmed draw, fixtures for UEFA Nations League knockout stage and playoffs

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal291610353242958
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest29166749351454
4Chelsea29147853371649
5Manchester CityMan City29146955401548
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29121164842647
8Fulham2912984338545
9Aston Villa2912984145-445
10Bournemouth29128948361244
11Brentford29125125045541
12Crystal Palace2810993633339
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd29107123740-337
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs291041555431234
15Everton2971393236-434
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2997133349-1634
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2975174058-1826
18Ipswich TownIpswich2938182862-3417
19Leicester CityLeicester2945202565-4017
20Southampton2923242170-499
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Barca 'could swoop' for soon-to-be free agent after £100k-a-week Prem 'snub'

1

B'
Barca 'could swoop' for soon-to-be free agent after £100k-a-week Prem 'snub'

'Next week' - Key meeting 'set to be held' to discuss Man United forward's future

2

'W
'Next week' - Key meeting 'set to be held' to discuss Man United forward's future

Preview: Botswana vs. Algeria - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

3

PB
Preview: Botswana vs. Algeria - prediction, team news, lineups

Formations and full-backs: Tuchel's three crucial decisions for first England game

4

FA
Formations and full-backs: Tuchel's three crucial decisions for first England game

Dutch wonderkid 'wanted by Barca' to solve important issue in squad

5

DW
Dutch wonderkid 'wanted by Barca' to solve important issue in squad

Contract update: Real Madrid defender 'close' to signing new deal

6

CU
Contract update: Real Madrid defender 'close' to signing new deal

Osimhen latest: Man United-linked striker 'to communicate major decision in April'

7

OL
Osimhen latest: Man United-linked striker 'to communicate major decision in April'

Ronaldo's Al-Nassr to launch 'stunning move' for Arsenal star

8

RA
Ronaldo's Al-Nassr to launch 'stunning move' for Arsenal star

Preview: Ethiopia vs. Egypt - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PE

Preview: Rwanda vs. Nigeria - prediction, team news, lineups

10

PR
1x1


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .