Moldova v Wales preview: Joe Allen set to return for crucial away day

Joe Allen and Neil Taylor have returned to Wales’ squad for their World Cup Qualifier against Moldova in Group D on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports Mix.

With three games remaining Wales sit third, two points behind Republic of Ireland in second, but if they win their last three games they will be guaranteed a top-two finish and could even challenge for top spot.

However, if Wales suffer a reverse to Moldova they will be unable to finish top of the group if Serbia beat Ireland on Tuesday night.
Only the nine group winners in qualifying automatically earn a place in next year’s tournament in Russia, while the eight best runners-up enter the play-offs.

Moldova, who have not won any of their last 17 competitive fixtures, are ranked 159th in the latest FIFA World Rankings and only five UEFA countries are ranked lower.

After scoring seven goals for Wales in 2016, Gareth Bale has yet to register for his country this year, suggesting that a Bale-inspired performance could be on the horizon.

Bale was too hot to handle for Moldova last September when he scored twice.

Thankfully for Chris Coleman, Wales found a new hero on Saturday in the form of Liverpool forward Ben Woodburn, who scored a stunning winner against Austria just 261 seconds after stepping on to an international pitch for the first time.
Team news

Joe Allen and Neil Taylor have returned to the Wales squad for their trip to Moldova after serving their respective suspensions.

Coleman has a decision to make whether to hand Woodburn a starting role after his match-winning cameo on Saturday.
Moldova are set to be without injured pair Petru Racu and Alexandru Gatcan, but experienced defender Vitalie Bordian is available after suspension.

Opta stats

This will be the fourth meeting between these two sides. Wales have won the last two, after losing their first game against them back in 1994 (2-3).

No Welshmen has scored more goals against Moldova than Gareth Bale (2 – level with Gary Speed)

Wales lost their only previous fixture in Moldova 3-2 in October 1994.

Wales are winless in six away games (D3 L3), their worst run since August 2002 under Mark Hughes (a run of seven).
Wales have lost just one of their last 19 qualifying matches (W9 D9) for either the European Championships or World Cup since losing 3-0 to Serbia in September 2013.

Moldova haven’t won a home international match since October 2013, when they beat San Marino; they have drawn four and lost 10 since that win.

That win over San Marino in 2013 – by a 3-0 scoreline – is also the last time the Moldovans have kept a home clean sheet.

Betting

Wales are strongly fancied to get the job done and can be backed at 4/11 for the win. Moldova are 9/1 for the upset and you can get 100/30 for the draw. Ben Woodburn will be brimming with confidence after his winner at the weekend and Sky Bet have boosted him to 9/2 to score at anytime in a Wales victory.

Meanwhile, Bale is a 9/4 shot to open the scoring.Euro Soccer Bonus

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