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Gavin Beech

Wales vs Austria prediction and odds: Back Wales to see off Austria in crucial World Cup play-off clash

Back our 7/4 Wales vs Austria prediction with Betfred and get £60 in bonuses!

Just two matches stand between Wales and their first World Cup finals appearance since 1958.

Robert Page's side face Austria in a potentially tricky clash at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday night and the winners will go on to play Scotland or Ukraine (who won't meet until June, for obvious reasons) for a place at the Qatar World Cup.

Wales qualified for the play-offs courtesy of a second-placed finish behind Belgium in Group E and their only defeat in the entire campaign came against Roberto Martinez's side in Belgium. The Cymru held the world's top-ranked side to a draw in Cardiff.

Austria are actually narrow favourites for this match despite being ranked ten places below Wales in the FIFA rankings and having only qualified for the play-offs because of their UEFA Nations League finishing position.

They could only manage fourth in their World Cup qualification group, losing back-to-back games against Israel and Scotland in September.

Austria performed relatively well at the Euro 2020 and only lost out to eventual champions Italy in extra time of their last 16 tie, but they have rarely reached the same same level of form since and inconsistency was a real issue in their qualifying group.

Franco Foda's side failed to win half their Group F games, losing four, despite being in what looked a pretty ordinary section besides Denmark.

Their only clean sheet in their last six World Cup matches came against the Faroe Islands and they have shipped goals against the likes of Moldova, Israel and Scotland in that period - all of whom are ranked much lower than Wales.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: Marco Verratti of Italy runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Marko Arnautovic of Austria during UEFA Euro 2020 Round of 16 match between Italy and Austria at Wembley Stadium (Photo by Shaun Botterill - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) (Photo by Shaun Botterill - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Wales v Austria prediction

Wales are unbeaten in their last 16 home fixtures and they look marginally overpriced against an Austrian side that has been struggling on the road of late.

The Austrian's have had issues defensively and it's hard to see Wales, with Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey set to start, not finding a way through. With that in mind, the hosts look a decent bet at 7/4.

Recommended bet: Wales to win @ 7/4 with Betfred

Wales vs Austria odds with Betfred

  • Wales - 7/4
  • Draw - 19/10
  • Austria - 13/8

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