Ireland vs Wales Prediction & Betting Tips - UEFA Nations League

Prediction published on 09/10/2020, 04:27  by James | Modified on 09/10/2020 at 05:27 in UEFA Nations League Prediction

Familiar foes Ireland and Wales do battle at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday in League B of the 2020-21 Nations League campaign. The countries have met four times in the last three years and must be sick of the sight of each other. Wales travel to Dublin with two wins from two in the group, a record which puts them top of the table. Ireland, in third place, are yet to win a group match and know that further slip-ups could see them sink to the bottom of the group, the relegation spot. Both teams will be licking their wounds after suffering defeats in the build-up to this match, albeit defeats with very different tones. Ireland lost their Euro 2021 play-off match against Slovakia on penalties after a goalless draw. They are winless under new boss Stephen Kenny, drawing two and losing one of the three games he's been in charge. However, there was evidence of the bright new dawn promised under Kenny in that play-off, Ireland playing slick football throughout that a natural finisher probably would have benefitted from. Unfortunately for Ireland, they were missing two of their best forwards in Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah, who were pulled from the squad without explanation, the likely reason being that they were exposed to a member of staff who tested positive for Covid-19.

Wales, without key players like Gareth Bale, lost 3-0 to England in a friendly in their most recent outing. They have won their last two encounters with Ireland and are unbeaten in their last two trips to Ireland. Whoever scores first knows that they are likely scoring the winning goal as only one of the last six clashes between these countries featured both teams scoring. Wales may be top of the group but they have also failed to win five of their last seven away matches. While Ireland are winless in three, we expect their players to take further confidence from the play in that Slovakia game. Back a home win.