Wales are a very tough team to break down. Manager Chris Coleman often went with a five-man defense to provide a solid base, and it worked like a charm during qualifying. They gave up just four goals as they reached a major international tournament for the first time since 1958.
Wales has a tough time playing against overly defensive teams down, but they should be able to continue playing their preferred counter-attacking style – with star man Gareth Bale leading the charge – in at least two of their three group games.
The all-British combination of England and Wales is priced at +230 to finish as the top two in Group B.
Team Weaknesses:
Wales are incredibly reliant on Bale to supply their goals. The Real Madrid star delivered seven of the team’s 11 goals in qualifying, and is a +3,300 sleeper to be the top scorer at the Euros.
However, if Bale is not at his absolute best in France, it’s hard to see exactly where the goals are going to come from. Aaron Ramsey is a good goal-scorer for a midfielder, but he’s not as prolific as Bale, while Hal Robson-Kanu, who is actually a speedy winger masquerading as a striker, has just two goals in 30 caps.
Team Stats (During Euro Qualifiers):
Category
Stat
Goals Scored Per Game
1.1
Goals Conceded Per Game
0.4
Goal Attempts Per Game
13.4
Pass Completion Percentage
88%
Ball Possession Percentage
52%
Starting Lineup:
Position
Name (Age)
Career Caps
Goals
Goalie
Wayne Hennessey (29)
56
0
Defender
Chris Gunter (26)
66
0
Defender
James Chester (27)
10
0
Defender
Ashley Williams (31)
58
1
Defender
Ben Davies (23)
19
0
Defender
Neil Taylor (27)
27
0
Midfielder
Joe Allen (26)
25
0
Midfielder
Aaron Ramsey (25)
38
10
Midfielder
Joe Ledley (29)
61
4
Midfielder
Gareth Bale (26)
58
19
Forward
Hal Robson-Kanu (27)
30
2
Writer’s Prediction
Wales make it through as the third-place team in Group B, but the round of 16 is as far is they go.
