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Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Wales; European Championship Qualifying Group B

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Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Wales. European Championship Qualifying Group B.

Bilino Polje.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 2

  • M Djuric (71st minute)
  • V Ibisevic (90th minute)

Wales 0

    Bosnia and Herzegovina v Wales preview: Chris Coleman's men on brink of Euro 2016

     Wales player Gareth Bale celebrates
    Image: Wales need a point to guarantee qualification for Euro 2016

    Wales travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday night knowing a draw will see them reach a major finals for the first time in 58 years.

    Chris Coleman's men sit top of Group B heading into the final two European Qualifiers, needing just a point to secure their place at Euro 2016, although they will qualify regardless if Israel fail to beat Cyprus.

    Wales are unbeaten in the eight games so far, conceding just two goals as they have edged towards an historic moment for the country.

    The game comes exactly a year since Bosnia and Herzegovina held the Welsh to a goalless draw in Cardiff, and that result will be enough to see Coleman's side book their place in France.

    Live Euro 2016 Qualifiers

    But a win will leave them in pole position to win the group and potentially give them a more favourable draw at next summer's tournament.

    Team news

    Gareth Bale looks set to feature for Wales after shaking off a calf problem to return as a substitute in the Madrid derby last weekend.

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    Joe Allen and Joe Ledley are both available after recovering from injury, while Wolves midfielder David Edwards is also in the squad despite initially looking unlikely to feature with a knee problem.

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    Wales midfielder David Edwards admits there's a little anxiety in the group

    David Cotterill is out after picking up a hamstring injury playing for Birmingham City, so Wes Burns has been given a first Wales call-up.

    Bosnia are sweating over the fitness of Edin Dzeko, with the Roma striker staying in Italy as he fights to be fit despite a knee injury.

    The hosts will, however, be without Everton's Muhamed Besic, who is suspended after being sent off against Andorra.

    Opta stats

    Wales have yet to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina in three attempts; losing 0-2 in a friendly in August 2012 and drawing on two occasions (February 2003 and October 2014).

    Chris Coleman's men have failed to score in their last two meetings with Bosnia, including last October in this qualifying campaign (0-0).

    Past failures spur on Gunter
    Past failures spur on Gunter

    Chris Gunter admits previous near misses have made Wales more determined this time around.

    Wales have lost only one of their last 13 internationals, winning seven and drawing five.

    Bosnia have found the net in each of their last five matches, winning three (D1 L1).

    Gareth Bale has been involved in eight of Wales' nine goals in qualifying (six goals, two assists).

    Edin Dzeko has scored seven in seven appearances for Bosnia in Euro 2016 qualification.

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    Jamie Redknapp previews Wales' European Qualifier against Bosnia & Herzegovina.

    Charlie Nicholas' prediction

    I tell you what, this is a toughie for them, it really is. They're so close but yet so far. We know Wales are going to get there but I see this being a dangerous one for them.

    The one thing we know is Bosnia are going to be strong at home, although it will be a huge boost for Wales if Edin Dzeko isn't fit. There's all the hype around the man of the moment for them, Gareth Bale, but he's only just back from injury for Real Madrid and might not be in great form.

    While they're definitely not a one-man team, as they really have played some great stuff, you need to be on fire to come away from a place like Bosnia with a result.

    CHARLIE PREDICTS: Bosnia 2-1 Wales (Sky Bet odds - 15/2)

    Betting

    Wales are 16/5 to book their place in the Euro 2016 finals with a victory and 23/10 to progress with a draw, while Bosnia are 10/11 to boost their own qualification hopes. Chris Coleman's men may be all but assured to be booking their flight to France but they are up against odds of 50/1 to win the tournament, with Germany currently considered 3/1 favourites. Edin Dzeko heads the first goalscorer market at 7/2, while Gareth Bale is almost half the price of any of his team-mates at 5/1, with the Real Madrid star 9/2 to score in a Wales win. Jamie Redknapp and the Soccer Saturday pundits have provided their first goalscorer and correct score predictions in their Sky Bet tips here.

    See Bosnia and Herzegovina v Wales live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 7pm. Watch the game and all the remaining decisive European Qualifiers for £6.99 with a NOW TV special offer Week Pass - no contract