Wales host Montenegro in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday as Craig Bellamy looks to continue his unbeaten start as head coach.
Despite surrendering a two-goal lead to draw in Iceland on Friday evening, Wales will be pleased with their start in the Nations League having taken five points from three games. Currently second and in a play-off place for promotion, Wales next take on a Montenegro team without a point.
Here is everything you need to know.
Wales vs Montenegro – Match preview and team news
Form
Wales: DLDWD
After Rob Page’s reign ended after a 4-0 thrashing in Slovakia, Craig Bellamy has steadied the ship as Wales manager. A goalless draw with a talented Turkey team was a positive start, before beating Montenegro away from home.
Bellamy will have been disappointed as Wales blew a 2-0 half-time lead to draw in Iceland last time out, though five points from three games is a satisfactory start to Nations League. Brennan Johnson scored in the draw in Reykavik to continue his brilliant form.
Manager Craig Bellamy says he wants everyone to love this Wales team and “be excited” as he tries to reach the next World Cup ⚽️#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/sCuQoqOKHS
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) October 13, 2024
The winger has scored in six straight games for Spurs and added another on international duty on Friday. However, Johnson is unavailable to face Montenegro through suspension and joins Ethan Ampadu, Dan James and captain Aaron Ramsey as big-name absentees.
Fulham’s Harry Wilson has scored in his last two games and has seven goal involvements in his last eight for Wales.
Montenegro: LLLLL
Bottom of the group without a point and on a run of five consecutive losses, Montenegro arrive in Cardiff in poor form. A narrow defeat in Turkey offered signs of improvement but Montenegro need points on the board to avoid relegation to League C.
Stefan Jovetic is expected to continue leading the line and is closing in on his nation’s appearance record (86), having won 81 caps. He is Montenegro’s record scorer with 36 goals. Another of the more recognisable names in the set-up, ex-Manchester City centre-back Stefan Savic, is ruled out.
There is a place in the squad for Preston North End forward Milutin Osmajic, who came off the bench in Turkey. Ormajaic has been banned for eight EFL games for a biting incident.
Last Meeting
Montenegro 1-2 Wales, UEFA Nations League, September 9th 2024
Wales produced a quick-fire start to earn the points when the teams met last month. Craig Bellamy’s side were 2-0 ahead inside three minutes in Niksic, as Kieffer Moore opened the scoring inside the opening seconds before Harry Wilson doubled the lead moments later.
Montenegro pulled a goal back but Wales held on in torrential rain. Bellamy described the conditions – in which the players struggled to stay on their feet – as the toughest he had been involved in.
Scoring screamers in the rain 😲@harrywilson_ #NationsLeague | #TogetherStronger
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) September 9, 2024
Predicted Lineups
Wales: Ward; Roberts, Rodon, Davies, Williams; Sheehan, Allen; Brooks, Wilson, Thomas; Moore.
Montenegro: Mijatovic; Marusic, Vujacic, Sipcic, Radunovic; Bakic, Vukotic, Jankovic; Krstovic, Camaj; Jovetic.
Who is the referee?
Filip Glova (Slovakia).
What channel is Wales v Montenegro on?
Viewers in the UK can watch the match live on S4C. There is Welsh language coverage from 7.20pm BST. A live stream will be available via the BBC iPlayer.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off in Cardiff is 19:45 BST.
Odds
Wales – 11/20
Draw – 29/10
Montenegro – 21/4
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