Match Preview – Wales vs Israel | 06 Sep 2015
Posted By admin on September 11, 2015
Last Updated: 06/09/15 4:13pm
Wales striker Gareth Bale runs over to the bench after scoring against Cyprus
Wales can seal their place at a major tournament for the first time in 58 years with victory against Israel on Sunday.
Chris Coleman's side head into their Euro 2016 qualifier at the Cardiff City Stadium on the brink of ending more than half a century of heartache away from world football's biggest stages.
The hosts enter the game in buoyant mood after Gareth Bale's 82nd-minute header sealed victory in Cyprus, and they will be looking to build on that display, as well as their positive performance in their last game in Cardiff, where they defeated Belgium.
Israel also have automatic qualification ambitions after a 4-0 win over Andorra on Thursday kept them in touch with the top two in Group B.
Eli Guttman's side are just two points behind second-placed Belgium and will be out to atone for their 3-0 home defeat to Wales when the sides met back in March.
Team news
After arriving back from Cyprus on Friday, Wales are not expected to make too many changes against Israel.
Midfielder Joe Ledley has been forced to pull out with a hamstring injury so Nottingham Forest's David Vaughan has been called up to the squad.
Israel will be without a number of regulars due to injury, including Lior Refaelov, Rami Gershon, Sheran Yeini and Omer Damari.
Stats
Wales are aiming to qualify for their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup.
Wales are unbeaten in a record nine competitive games (W6 D3) going back to September 2013.
Bale's header secured Wales' victory over Cyprus which leaves them one win away from securing European qualification
Gareth Bale has either scored or assisted eight of Wales' nine goals in 2016 European Qualifiers (six goals, two assists).
Wales have kept five clean sheets in their six Qualifiers, including their last four, but they have never gone five successive internationals without conceding.
Israel are looking to qualify for their first major tournament since the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
Betting
Sky Bet make Wales odds-on shots to secure the three points they need against Israel (18/5) to book a place in the Euro 2016 finals.
Chris Coleman's men lead Belgium by three points and are 1/3 to qualify as Group B winners with Belgium 2/1 shots to overhaul them.
Gareth Bale scored the winner against Cyprus last week and the Real Madrid man has been Price Boosted to 9/4 to net in a home win while Aaron Ramsey is 8/1 (from 6/1) to open the scoring.
Watch live coverage of Wales v Israel on Sky Sports 1 HD from 4.30pm on Sunday.
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Match Preview - Wales vs Israel | 06 Sep 2015
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