Preview: Wales vs. Czech Republic - prediction, team news, lineups

Having picked up four points from the first two games, Czech Republic travel to the Principality Stadium on Tuesday for their clash with Wales.

The hosts will aim to kickstart their World Cup Qualifying campaign after they were on the losing end in their opening fixture.

Match preview

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Wales saw their six-game unbeaten streak come to an end as they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Belgium on Wednesday at Den Dreef.

Robert Page's men took the lead inside the opening 10 minutes through Harry Wilson, but goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Thorgan Hazard turned the game on its head going into the interval, before Romelu Lukaku sealed the deal from the spot late in the second half.

The Dragons returned to winning ways straight away with a 1-0 triumph over Mexico on Friday thanks to Kieffer Moore's first-half strike.

Tuesday's hosts are yet to record a victory against their visitors in three previous attempts, but they can draw inspiration from their current home form which has seen them unbeaten on home soil since 2018.

It is also worth mentioning that the most recent of the three meetings between the sides was back in 2007, so perhaps there should not be too much reading into that.

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Czech Republic maintained their unbeaten start in Group E following a 1-1 draw against Belgium at the Eden Arena on Saturday.

Jaroslav Silhavy's men opened the scoring five minutes into the second half through Lukas Provod, but the lead lasted for only 10 minutes as Romelu Lukaku restored parity on the hour mark.

The Narodak remain at the top of the group having picked up a 6-2 win over Estonia prior to their meeting with the side ranked as the best by FIFA.

Tuesday's visitors have not featured in a World Cup since 2006, but their fantastic start to the qualifying round has put them in a good position to end that run.

Team News

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Joe Allen was forced off with an injury against Belgium, and he is expected to be unavailable for the visit of the Czechs.

Caretaker manager Robert Page rotated the team for the friendly against Mexico last time out, but he is expected to field his strongest XI for this one.

Kieffer Moore has scored in consecutive home games for Wales, and he will fancy himself to extend that run against a side that have conceded in each of their last seven away games.

Tomas Soucek netted three times in his side's demolition of Estonia, and no player has scored more goals than him in the qualifiers so far.

Lukas Provod is not far off his compatriot in the scoring charts after bagging goals in back-to-back games for his country.

Wales possible starting lineup:
Ward; Lawrence, Rodon, Mepham; Williams, Ampadu, Morrell, Roberts; James, Wilson, Bale

Czech Republic possible starting lineup:
Vaclik; Boril, Celustka, Kudela, Coufal; Holes, Jankto, Soucek, Barak, Provod; Krmencik

We say: Wales 1-1 Czech Republic

The game is expected to be an intense battle between two teams who are favourites to finish as runners-up behind Belgium. We fancy the teams to match each other all the way and expect the points to be split in the end.