Wales v Bosnia: Wilson can star and put 3/1 hosts on course for finals | OneFootball

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Wales thriving under Bellamy

While it was thrilling for Wales to make the World Cup in 2022 after a gap of 64 years, the lasting impression was a feeling of flatness.

With Gareth Bale no longer the force of old, Wales managed just a single point and a single goal. It was a stark contrast to the absolute joys of Euro 2016 when they went all the way to the semi-finals.

In short, Wales will be desperate to give it another crack and, with Craig Bellamy at the helm, that is very much a reality.

Beat Bosnia in this one-legged semi-final in Cardiff and they'll then take on the winners of Italy v Northern Ireland. Crucially, they would have home advantage in that final too.

Bosnia seek to end 12-year wait

Bosnia didn't make it to Qatar in 2022 or Russia in 2018 so they'll be aiming to reach the finals for the first time since Brazil 2014.

The visitors finished runners-up to Austria in Group H after winning five of their eight games. They managed just a point from the two meetings with Austria, the other 16 coming from matches against Romania, Cyprus and San Marino. That likely tells us where their level is.

For some extra context of how they match up against the hosts, Wales are 35th in the FIFA World Rankings while Bosnia are 71st, two spots below Northern Ireland.

Wales odds-on

Bellamy has brought a huge feelgood factor back to Wales but what are the bare stats?

In 16 games, he's led the Welsh to victory in half of them, with four draws and four defeats. All the losses came in a sticky five-match run last year but two of those were against Belgium and one against England.

Only the defeat to Canada should raise an eyebrow but even then there's enough to lower it again. Wales played a young, experimental side and Canada are 29th in the world, six places above them.

Beyond that, Wales have been a reliable team to bet on. They've won the matches they were expected to and, at home, they've really used the special bond with the fans, racking up five wins in their six competitive matches.

Wales are 5/618/523/10.

Wilson can star again

The smart way to bet on Wales always used to be backing the man with the wand of a left-foot to get them over the line.

And, despite Bale's retirement, that still remains the same.

Harry Wilson may not have the same superstar status as his compatriot but he's certainly making a massive impact for his country.

In fact, he was doing so before making a mark in the Premier League.

Wilson is now a fantasy staple and, in terms of goals, he's one of just nine players to have racked up double figures in the top-flight this season.

But before turning it on for Fulham he was really affecting Wales games and his numbers over a sustained period are simply excellent.

In his past 20 internationals, he's scored 11 times and has six assists. Narrow the timeframe and it's 12 goal involvements in the last 12 games (nine goals and three assists).

Wales' top scorer in qualifying (five goals, inlcluding a hat-trick against North Macedonia), Wilson, like Bale, is also a dead-ball specialist. He'll again be on free-kick and penalty duties on Friday night.

Wales worth a wager to qualify

Wilson to score in a Wales win pays around 11/4 if you want to cash in on the Bet £10 and Get £10 offer (below).

But my other bet ahead of this one is taking a wider view and backing Wales to qualify for the World Cup finals at 3/1.

Those odds are listed in the UEFA Qualification Path A - Winner market where Italy are 1/2 favourites. It's also 11/2 Bosnia and 16/1 Northern Ireland.

As mentioned, Wales would have home advantage in a potential showdown with Italy.

And, of course, this would be an Italian side scarred by failing to make the last two World Cup finals.

It was once the case where Wales were the nervous wrecks, believing that something would go wrong. But not now. Not under Bellamy.

That baton has been passed to Italy who would be under massive pressure from their own media not to muck it up again.

Cash in with Bet10 Get10

With Betfair offering punters the chance to Bet £10 and Get £10 on Football Accas and Bet Builders, it may also be worth combining some of Dave's picks.