' TEAM TONIGHT: WALES V SERBIA ' MATCH THREAD

WALES v SERBIA
World Cup Qualifier
Saturday 12 November 2016
Kick off: 19:45
Cardiff City Stadium

TEAM NEWS 12/11/16


Ramsey is back for the first time since the Euro 2016 Belgium game.

Gareth Bale,Joe Allen, Ashley Williams and Ramsey will all start


Serbia are without suspended Manchester City left-back Aleksandar Kolarov.

The match is a 33,000 sell out


08/11/16
West Ham defender James Collins has withdrawn from the Wales squad for their World Cup qualifier against Serbia on 12 November.

The 33-year-old, who has won 50 caps, has a calf injury and will be replaced by MK Dons defender Joe Walsh.


7/11/16
Squad Update: Ben Davies has been withdrawn from the squad through injury and is replaced by Adam Matthews

Wales defender Ben Davies was ruled out of Tottenham's north London derby clash with Arsenal on Sunday only five days before Wales meet Serbia in a crucial World Cup qualifier.





Latest News

Russia and the 2018 World Cup remains the goal for Wales after their European adventure, though they will have to recover from their first qualifying setback in some time after the dropped points at home to Georgia last time around.

Serbia entered the group as third seeds after a dismal European campaign, but most were aware they will be a far more dangerous threat to top the group. With wins over Moldova and Austria and a draw with the Republic of Ireland, they are showing as much and head to Cardiff as the form side fancying their chances.


The Squads

Wales

Goalkeepers W Hennessey (Crystal Palace), D Ward (Huddersfield Town, on loan from Liverpool), OF Williams (Inverness Caledonian Thistle)

Defenders B Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), J Chester (Aston Villa), J Collins (West Ham United), P Dummett (Newcastle United), C Gunter (Reading), N Taylor (Swansea City), A Williams (Everton)

Midfielders J Allen (Stoke City), D Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers), E Huws (Cardiff City), A King (Leicester City), T Lawrence (Ipswich Town, on loan from Leicester), J Ledley (Crystal Palace), S MacDonald (Wigan Athletic), A Ramsey (Arsenal), D Cotterill (Birmingham City), J Williams (Ipswich Town, on loan from Crystal Palace).

Forwards G Bale (Real Madrid), H Robson-Kanu (West Bromwich Albion), S Vokes (Burnley)


Serbia




Serbia



FIFA World Cup™ finals history
Serbia played their first official international match as an independent nation on 16 August 2006, beating Czech Republic 3-1 away. Before then, they had been part of two countries that now no longer participate: Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro. Serbia's inaugural independent FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign was for South Africa 2010, and they surprisingly booked their ticket to the tournament after emerging from a group with France, Austria, Lithuania, Romania and Faroe Islands. However, once there, the Beli Orlovi (White Eagles) were unable to make it past the group stage. Serbia failed to reach Brazil 2014 after posting four wins, two draws and four defeats in a qualifying group with Belgium, Croatia, Scotland, Wales and Macedonia.

The team
Much like their predecessors, the current Serbia side are among Europe’s best in terms of technique, and the squad boasts a number of first-rate players, the majority of whom play in some of the continent’s top leagues in England, Italy and Germany. For example, Branislav Ivanovic is not only one of Serbia’s most experienced players, he is also one of the best full-backs in the Premier League. Aleksandar Kolarov and Matija Nastasic help him form a solid rearguard, while Filip Djuricic and Aleksandar Mitrovic are dangerous up front.

The coach
Slavoljub Muslin was named Serbia head coach after departure of Radovan Ćurčić. Though this is his first coaching appointment in international football, the former Red Star Belgrade and Lille defender has had a long coaching career at the club level, having managed clubs in France, Morocco, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Belgium, Russia, Belarus and Cyprus. In his native Serbia, Muslin led Red Star Belgrade to three domestic league titles.

The stat
11 – The number of World Cup tournaments Serbia have participated in. Between 1930 and 1998 Yugoslavia took part in nine finals; Serbia and Montenegro played at Germany 2006 and four years later Serbia reached South Africa.

The former stars
Stjepan Bobek, Dragan Dzajic, Branko Zebec, Mateja Kezman, Sinisa Mihajlovic, Savo Milosevic, Dejan Stankovic


Wales



FIFA World Cup finals history
Wales have only appeared at the finals once, in 1958 when they were led by the great John Charles. They reached the quarter-finals after a 2-1 win over returning runners-up Hungary, with a solitary Pele goal then sending them home. They have struggled in qualifying since, coming close in bids to reach 1982 and 1986 but lost out to Czechoslovakia and Scotland respectively on goal difference.

The team
Not lacking in individual talent, The Dragons are blessed with the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, while Joe Ledley and Joe Allen help make up a dynamic midfield. Behind them, the likes of English Premier League regulars Ben Davies, James Collins and captain Ashley Williams feature in a solid backline.

The coach
Though still a manager in the early stages of his coaching career, aged 44, Chris Coleman already has 12 years’ experience in the hot seat. Since taking charge of the nation he represented 36 times as a player in 2012, there have been promising signs that they could make their return to the World Cup.

The stat
35 – The number of days after Gareth Bale's 17th birthday when he became Wales' youngest-ever goal-scorer.

The former stars
John Charles, Ian Rush, Gary Speed, Ryan Giggs, Ivor Allchurch, Neville Southall


Qualifying Group & Fixtures

GROUP D
Austria
Wales
Republic of Ireland
Serbia
Moldova
Georgia

2016
September 5 Wales 4-0 Moldova
October 6 Austria 2 - 2 Wales
October 9 Wales 1 - 1 Georgia
November 12: (h) v Serbia

2017
March 24: (a) v Republic of Ireland
June 11: (a) v Serbia
September 2: (h) v Austria
September 5: (a) v Moldova
October 6: (a) v Georgia
October 9: (h) v Republic of Ireland


Previous Meetings

11 Sep 2012 Serbia v Wales L 6-1 FIFA World Cup
10 Sep 2013 Wales v Serbia L 0-3 FIFA World Cup


Tickets

The match is now sold out


Match Odds

Wales 5/4
Draw 11/5
Serbia 9/4

Guess The Score

Post your predictions below

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Wales 3 Serbia 1

Wales 3 Serbia 1

I hope you are right!

Wales 3 Serbia 1

I hope you are right!

Owain, I am Quite Confident

1-0 wales

Serbia were at the 2010 World Cup? I thought they'd never qualified (as an independent nation, anyway).

Wales defender Ben Davies was ruled out of Tottenham's north London derby clash with Arsenal on Sunday only six days before Wales meet Serbia in a crucial World Cup qualifier.

Davies picked up an ankle injury in his side's 1-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday night.


It comes as a huge blow for Wales manager Chris Coleman whose side face Serbia at the Cardiff City Stadium only six days after the north London derby.

Swansea City's Neil Taylor has been out of form so far this season and, with the potential loss of Davies, Coleman could be facing a tough selection headache ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Serbia.

Squad Update: Ben Davies has been withdrawn from the squad through injury and is replaced by Adam Matthews

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It's about time we beat Yugoslavia!

Chris Coleman: Wales boss prepares to face Serbia four years on from 6-1 defeat

By Dafydd Pritchard

BBC Wales Sport

Tuesday 8th November 2016

Wales lost their first five matches under Chris Coleman, including the 6-1 defeat by Serbia in September 2012

Chris Coleman still shudders at the mere mention of Serbia.

It is four years since Wales were mauled 6-1 in Novi Sad, but it only takes a word for the humiliation to come flooding back.

It was a fourth loss in Coleman's fourth game in charge of his country, the worst start by any Wales manager in history.

It was Wales' heaviest defeat for 16 years, no mean feat for a nation which had languished outside of the world's top 100 for much of that time.

All this - and the nightmare of the game itself - is indelibly etched on Coleman's mind.

The wretched defending, the fury of the travelling Welsh fans, the loneliness of the walk from the pitch back to the changing room - it is all as vivid as ever.

"They [the fans] paid a lot of money and travelled a long way to watch a shambles and that was my fault. I had to take responsibly for that," says Coleman.

"I've never been afraid of criticism - my skin's thick enough to accept anything that comes my way. There's nothing worse than when you feel like you've let your country down and I did that in a big way.

"It still haunts me, to be honest. But I think that's quite good for me as well. You never want to experience that ever again."

The thrashing in Serbia was a nadir for Coleman and his players, who drew a line under the embarrassment and vowed never to plumb such depths again.

They beat Scotland in their next match and, after an uplifting end to their ultimately unsuccessful 2014 World Cup qualifying, Wales have since risen to historic new highs.

In qualifying for Euro 2016, Wales reached their first major tournament for 58 years, and once they were in France, a string of stirring displays saw them reach a maiden semi-final before bowing out to eventual winners Portugal.








'Wales players have grown up'

On Saturday, they continue in their quest to qualify for the 2018 World Cup when they host Serbia in Cardiff.

Serbia are top of Group D with seven points from their first three matches, while Wales are two points behind in third place.

When the draw was made for the qualifying groups, Coleman says he "had a right smile on my face".

"The last two times we played them [Serbia] we conceded nine goals - we've also got a bit to thank them for," he adds.

"Sometimes you need an electric prod and that certainly came from them."

By his own admission, Coleman was "hanging on" to his job and some players' international futures were in doubt after such a damaging defeat.

However, Coleman persevered and his stock is at an all-time high, with his nomination for Fifa's men's coach of the year award crowning a remarkable year.

The players also stuck it out and, of the 11 who started in the 6-1 defeat in 2012, seven are in the squad for Saturday's match at Cardiff City Stadium.

"It's not the success that you learn from and that shapes you, it is the defeats," Coleman says.

"It's how you get through those tough times - that's what hardens and shapes you. I have seen the players grow up a hell of a lot.

"We have to have a high level of focus and our energy levels and our concentration has to be tip-top. It wasn't for the last couple of games."

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Chris Coleman: 'Get back to doing what we do best'

BBC

Tuesday 8th November 2016


After an opening 4-0 win over Moldova and a creditable 2-2 draw in Austria, Wales' qualifying campaign hit an unexpected snag with October's 1-1 home draw against Georgia.

That result has increased the pressure of what was already shaping up to be a significant match against Serbia, who seem to be realising the potential which they have failed to fulfil so badly in recent years.

Appointed in May, manager Slavoljub Muslin has at his disposal a squad of genuine international quality and strength in depth, featuring Premier League players such as Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic and Southampton winger Dusan Tadic.

Tadic scored his first goal for Serbia in the 2012 thrashing in Novi Sad, and Coleman has warned Wales they must improve to avoid another defeat to their familiar foes.

"For myself and for the players, we have to get back to doing what we do best - and that means our concentration levels have to be absolutely fantastic," he says.

"They will be against Serbia, who are very aggressive offensively. They take chances, so this is going to be a tough test for us."

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' REMARKABLE JOE ALLEN LEADS THE WAY '
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viewtopic.php?f=2&t=179210

1-0 Bale free kick

West Ham defender James Collins has withdrawn from the Wales squad for their World Cup qualifier against Serbia on 12 November.

The 33-year-old, who has won 50 caps, has a calf injury and will be replaced by MK Dons defender Joe Walsh.

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2-2.

How Important is Aaron Ramsey to Wales’ Qualification Hopes?

Aaron Ramsey returns to the Wales setup but just how crucial is he to Wales’ World Cup qualification hopes?

By Jamie Kemble

Wednesday 9th November 2016


There is no doubt about it. Aaron Ramsey plays a pivotal role in the Welsh team; his driving runs through the middle often allow Wales the opportunity for an effort on goal. It is not only his creativity, but also his composure on the ball that make him an essential asset to the Welsh outfit.

He was a stand-out player in the European Championships in France and a key reason behind Wales’ success, knitting everything together and linking the defence and attack together, along with Joe Allen. He is frustrating for the opposing team and exciting for Welsh fans with the ball at his feet.

You only have to look at the recent games where Wales have featured without the midfield maestro, most memorable in the Euro 2016 semi-final against Portugal where Wales lacked threat going forward and ultimately couldn’t find the net in the 2-0 defeat.

Aaron Ramsey is arguably as valuable in defence as he is going forward and often puts the opposition under pressure by pressing up to them – often causing them to lose possession.

He notably frustrated Edin Hazard in the quarterfinals at the Euro’s against Belgium and the only way that the Belgians could find the back of the net was through a wonder goal from Radja Nainggolan.

His experience, at just age 26, is invaluable and his composure on the ball is top-notch. Wales’ last two qualification matches resulted in draws, away to Austria (2-2) and at home to Georgia (1-1), and it was obvious that the midfield area was exploited.

Austria were able to hold the ball fairly high up the pitch, enabling them to thread long balls over the top of the high defensive Welsh line. The question was asked that if Ramsey had been there, would the Austrians have had the time and space?

The Georgians were also allowed too much space in the Welsh half and strung a nice set of passes together, which gave Tornike Okriashvilli, again posing the question that if ‘Rambo’ had been there, would this have been allowed to happen? The question will forever remain unanswered.

It could be said that Wales need to get a win on Saturday evening when they welcome Serbia to the Cardiff City Stadium, as it’s only the top team in each group that automatically qualify for the World Cup in Russia 2018.

Thankfully for Welsh fans, Aaron Ramsey has had playing time for Arsenal ahead of this clash and will undoubtedly have a large part to play in deciding the outcome. Serbia will be tough to break down and Wales will need the creativity that Ramsey offers up-front as well as his defensive qualities when the Serbians have the ball.

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0:0

Serbia score goals against everyone...if we win we have to score 3

The Welsh players today having fun and relaxing

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The Welsh players today having fun and relaxing

That is not today, plainly. That's no longer the current training kit, for a start!

1-0 Wales, Aaron Ramsey on the scoresheet to give us 3 VITAL points!

Opposition ones to watch: Serbia

By Tom Prosser

Friday 11th November 2016

Wales have a tough task to defeat Serbia on Saturday evening but who which players will Chris Coleman’s men need to keep quiet in order to secure all three points?


Serbia have a very talented and experience squad with many of their players being based in Europe’s top league’s such as the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A. They are currently ranked 43 in the world but in reality this is false position.






We take a look at the current group leaders key players ahead of Saturday’s crucial game;



Vladimir Stojkovic

The Nottingham Forest Goalkeeper has lots of experience on the international stage with 60 caps to his name. He has also featured in two World Cups and the 2008 Olympics for his country.

The 33-year-old joined Forest from Maccabi Haifa this summer and has since made 11 Championship appearances. He played in Cardiff’s 2-1 win over Forest last month and he palmed Aron Gunnarsson’s header into the goal to give the Bluebirds the lead.

He did not seem the most confident of Goalkeepers and I think Wales should test him from distance as he’s been known to the fumble the ball on a few occasions.



Aleksandar Kolarov

Kolarov needs no introduction to Wales fans about how good of player he is. The two-time Premier League winner with Man City made his international debut in 2008 and now has 66 caps to his name.

The left back has a lethal left foot and can be dangerous from free kicks and set pieces. The 30-year-old is arguably the complete modern full back, not only does he provide Serbia with an attacking threat but he is more than solid at the back and is rarely caught out of position.

Kolarov scored for Serbia in infamous 6-1 defeat four years ago. So far this season, he has played 17 times for Man City in all competitions.




Branislav Ivanovic

Ivanovic is the Serbia captain and is expected to win his 91st cap for his country at the Cardiff City stadium on Saturday. He made his international debut in 2005 and has won the Serbian player of the year twice.

The Chelsea right back is a no-nonsense defender who is particularly strong in the air. It is likely that Ivanovic will be tasked with marking Gareth Bale during corners in what will be a very competitive aerial battle between the pair.

The 32-year-old joined Chelsea in 2008 and has won everything there is to be won in the game since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.



Aleksandar Mitrovic

The Newcastle United Striker is expected to lead the line for Serbia on Saturday and he will be hoping to add to his two goals against Austria last month.

Mitrovic started against Cardiff last weekend for Newcastle and he has scored five goals in his 10 appearances for the Magpies so far this season. He arrived in England from Anderlecht in 2015 and he scored nine goals in the Premier League for Newcastle last season.

The 22-year-old’s club team-mate Paul Dummett is in the Wales squad for Saturday and the pair could come up against each other due to injuries to Ben Davies and James Collins.





Star Man – Dusan Tadic

The Southampton attacking midfielder is Serbia’s match winner and can take games away from his opponents in a flash. Tadic has scored three goals for Serbia to date in this qualifying campaign.

The 27-year-old is a very creative player and claimed three assists in Southampton’s 4-2 win over Man City last season, he became only the fourth player in Premier League history to set up three or more goals in one match.

Tadic has 41 caps for Serbia and has scored 11 goals for his country the first of which came against Wales in the 6-1 defeat.

2-0 bale Ramsey

Paul Dummett faces up to challenge of stopping own team-mate in Wales-Serbia clash


By Lee Ryder

Saturday 12th November 2016

Paul Dummett knows that Wales will have to stop an in-form Aleksandar Mitrovic in Cardiff tonight if they are to recover from their slow start to the World Cup qualifiers.

Chris Coleman’s side stumbled to two draws against Austria and Georgia in the last international window with Wales seemingly suffering from a post-Euro 2016 hangover.

Mitrovic netted twice for Serbia in their last World Cup win against Austria and has four goals in his last three games at club level.

Dummett knows it will be a tough task to keep him quiet and told the Chronicle ahead of the game: “He is the fans’ favourite here at the moment.

“The passion he brings is there for all to see.

“But you know he will always try to do his best. He holds the ball up so well and he scores goals.

“Even in the last game against Cardiff he showed how effective he is.

“I will give my opinion to the Wales staff on what we can do to stop him being effective, but we are looking to get three points.”

Mitrovic even kept out 11-goal top scorer Dwight Gayle in Newcastle’s last game with the ex-Crystal Palace man an unused sub against Cardiff.

Dummett said: “He’s got competition from Dwight Gayle now too. Dwight was on the bench and didn’t come on so Mitro knows he has to perform.

“That just shows the quality of this team, you can have any player in any position and there’s somebody competing for the shirt.

“That’s why we are doing so well. You know if you don’t play well you can be left out and won’t play.

“Last season and maybe the season before we didn’t have strength in depth.

“The manager as brought in good players, that’s why we are doing so well now.”

Dummett has found himself on the bench for Wales in recent times and is still waiting to add to his two caps.

However, with both Tottenham’s Ben Davies and Swansea’s Neil Taylor out injured he may get that opportunity tonight.

This week his club manager Rafa Benitez declared he was ready to play for his country and that the 25-year-old was now ready to play on the big stage with his country.

The Toon defender missed out on a dream trip to Euro 2016 but knows what he has to do in order to add more international honours to his name.

The Kenton lad said: “Going away with Wales gives me a competitive edge.

“I just need to carry on doing well for Newcastle and hopefully I get a chance with Wales.

“I haven’t been playing for them but I’ll sit and wait.

“If I get the opportunity to play - I’m ready.”

Dummett is also using the chance to train with players like Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey to make him a better player.

He said: “You will always learn from playing with some of the best players in the world.

“For me each time is an experience. It’s something I can learn from and make myself better as a player.”

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Wales v Serbia big-match preview:

12/11/16

It's time for Coleman's aces to put the record straight against our old nemesis - Wales Online

Serbia. A name to strike fear into Welsh football fans, players and managers alike.

We have history with them, and it's not too clever.

In fact, it's downright horrible. Sometimes you get a sporting nemesis and for Wales that team appear to be Serbia.

The facts and figures are bad enough: Played four, Lost four, goals scored three, goals conceded 13.

But the stories behind the defeats run even deeper than that. Like the time our Euro 2004 qualifier with Serbia and Montenegro was called off at the 11th hour because Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic had been assassinated and the authorities feared a 50,000 crowd would turn the game into a political demonstration.

Wales were absolutely flying at the time under Mark Hughes, had just thrashed Azerbaijan 4-0 at the Millennium Stadium and confidence was sky-high as they prepared to head to Belgrade four days on.

The march to the Euro finals in Portugal seemed unstoppable. By the time the match was rearranged for August, momentum was gone, Wales were ring-rusty, lost 1-0 and it spelt the beginning of the end of the Sparky era.

We barely won a game after that, including a 3-2 home loss to the Serbs.

Roll forward to the Chris Coleman reign and a 3-0 Cardiff thrashing that was preceded by the infamous 6-1 horror show out in Novi Sad.

Serbia humiliation must be consigned to the past

A Serbian slaughter to forget for the players...
Chris Coleman
... and for Chris Coleman
Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen and Ashley Williams each played that night as Wales were humbled once more by our old foe.

But actually, some good came of it because it was like a line was drawn in the sand.

Coleman, having tiptoed around the job post-Gary Speed, finally decided enough was enough. He started doing things his way, changed the captain and devised the new-found defensive resilience and organisation upon which subsequent Welsh success has been built.

As such, I can absolutely promise the Serbs they will be facing an entirely different and more formidable Wales animal at Cardiff City stadium this evening to any Dragons side they have met to date.

Since crashing 0-3 at home to Serbia in September 2013, Wales have only lost once in 15 qualifying matches. That is one hugely impressive record which even the giants of the game, Germany, Spain, Italy, would struggle to match.

Heck, even that one solitary defeat was bitter-sweet. It came in Bosnia, but despondency at a 0-2 setback quickly turned to euphoria when Coleman and his team realised they had still managed to qualify for the Euros that night.

Throw in Wales' magnificent endeavours out in France and it makes it just three defeats in the last 21 competitive matches played.

For the record, over their last 21 competitive games Serbia have lost nine times.

Like Wales, though, they are on something of a roll again after an abject Euro 2016 qualifying campaign which saw them win just twice in eight games, forfeit a match to Albania and only draw with Armenia.

New coach Slavoljub Muslin, brought in as a firefighter, demanded a return of pride and passion from his players and has received it as the Serbs have gone to the top of Group D.

You kind of sense this evening's clash is something of a pivotal moment, even though we won't even be halfway through the 10-match group that promises to be incredibly tight right down to the wire.

For Wales, the theory is that it's absolute must-win, make or break, given the failure to overcome Georgia at Cardiff City Stadium last time out.



But it's not, is it? If Wales fail to take the three points, the race for Russia 2018 is hardly going to be over, given there will still be another 18 points to play for.

Victory will be fantastic, it is what we covet, and Wales are more than capable of delivering. That would be a real statement of intent, underling how Coleman's aces are ready to follow up their history-making Euro exploits by also reaching the World Cup.

What is absolutely essential, though, is that we avoid defeat and dropping fully five points behind Serbia.

Given Wales' horrible history against them, a stalemate might actually represent something of a step forward.

From the very start, right through to the last kick, Wales, Serbia, Austria and the Republic of Ireland will take points off one another in this group. Have done already, will continue to do so.

If Wales are only drawing this evening approaching the final half-hour, Coleman certainly can't afford to go gung-ho again as he did against Georgia, when in a bid to put the game to bed by sending on extra forward players his team were fortunate not to lose.

Serbia reckon this is their biggest game for a decade - the words of skipper Branislav Ivanovic - and they'll be really fired up. They fancy their chances of putting down a qualifying marker of intent of their own.

But almost just when it matters most, for the toughest test of the campaign to date, Wales have got their three big guns back in harness.

For the first time since the thrilling 3-1 quarter-final win against Belgium in Lille - arguably the greatest Welsh victory we have witnessed - our mercurial magician Aaron Ramsey returns to the number 10 shirt.





Remember how well he played as man of the match in that game, and the previous ones out in France, too? Ramsey's creative presence takes pressure off Gareth Bale, while Joe Allen is in the form of his career.

Suddenly, Wales have a genuine triple goal threat.

There are concerns, there is never a Welsh game without those. Will Wayne Hennessey be rusty as a result of a lack of Crystal Palace action?

How will Newcastle's Paul Dummett fare if, as expected, he stands in for the injured Ben Davies?

What about Neil Taylor and his lack of game time for Swansea City?

How many minutes will Ramsey be able to last, given he has barely featured for Arsenal and hasn't been well in the build-up to this one?

Can Wales' defence cope with the threat of Southampton's Dusan Tadic, the Serbian playmaker, and Dummett's Toon team-mate Aleksandar Mitrovic?

Questions, questions, questions. But more often than not, when Coleman and his players have been presented with posers in recent times, they have come up with the answers. Often in spectacular fashion, too.









What will the result be of Wales v Serbia?

Wales to win Serbia to snatch it A draw

Coleman was stung by the failure against Georgia, saying he and his players had taken their eye off the ball.

They are going back to basics for this one. Full on utter commitment, defensive resilience, tigerish tackling... and a little bit of Gareth Bale magic. Backed up by the roar of the Cardiff City Stadium crowd. Together, Stronger.

To be blunt, the Serbs have won every single one of the previous four encounters with Wales at something of a canter.

On this occasion, against new-look Wales, fired on by their magnificent fans at their new capacity crowd Cardiff lair, Serbia will know they have been in one heck of a game.

We have had enough damn misfortune against them, stretching back more than a decade. It is time to set the record straight.

Over to you, Superman Gareth.

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Today is a must win game for Wales, even though we have so far only played 3. A win for Serbia would see them surge 5 points in front of us and would leave us needing to win at least 5 out of our 6 remaining games to catch them, you would think.

The biggest question mark is over who replaces Ben Davies in the team, as James Collins is out also. The most likely solution with our remaining options is Paul Dummett to slot in on the left side of the 3.
Another option I'm sure Coleman has considered is James Chester to move to the left, with Gunter slotting in at RCB and Adam Matthews coming in as a surprise choice at wing back. Funnily enough the last competitive game Matthews played in was the 3-0 defeat against Serbia at home 3 years ago. We may also see us go to a flat back four instead with Andy King or Jonny Williams coming into the midfield.

Whatever the case, we certainly need a result. A draw wouldn't be disastrous, but wouldn't be that beneficial either as we only have 2 home games left after tomorrow night - against Austria and Ireland in the Autumn of next year. A win would likely see us go top of the group as I fancy Austria to beat Ireland at home tomorrow.

As it stands:

1. Serbia 7
2. Ireland 7
3. Wales 5
4. Austria 4
5. Georgia 1
6. Moldova 0

' Betting odds '

Wales need to win to revive their hopes of qualifying for the 2018 Fifa World Cup and come up against Group D leaders Serbia.

Chris Coleman's side welcome back Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen and will hope to get the three points.

But the game also offers plenty of markets for your weekend bets and accumulators.

Here are the latest prices.

To win

This is really tight but the bookies clearly think home advantage and the support of a fervent Cardiff crowd gives Wales the edge. They make Coleman's side

Odds: Wales 6/4, Draw 9/4, Serbia 9/4

Bet: A Wales win doesn't offer much value, especially considering their last home result, a 1-1 draw against Georgia. Another draw could be on the cards here.

UEFA elite group referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco will take charge of the crucial World Cup qualifier between Wales and Serbia at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday evening.


The Spanish referee is vastly experienced and has been a FIFA listed referee since 2004. He was also a referee at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where he refereed three matches in total including Serbia’s 1-0 win against Germany in the group stages.

The 43-year-old has been in the middle for eight El Classico’s between Real Madrid and Barcelona and has also refereed the Copa del Rey final and the Spanish Super Cup final.

Wales have been refereed by Mallenco on one previous occasion. He was in the middle for Wales’ 2-0 defeat to Bosnia in 2015 which was the game where Wales sealed their Euro 2016 qualification.

So far this season, he has refereed five La Liga games, one Champions league game, one Europa League game and one World Cup qualifier. He was most recently in charge of Porto’s win against Club Brugge in the Champions League group stage.

Mallenco will be assisted by Spanish linesmen Roberto Díaz Pérez Del Palomar and Raúl Cabañero Martínez while the Fourth Official is fellow La Liga referee Carlos Clos Gomez who is also a UEFA second group referee.

UEFA elite group referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco will take charge of the crucial World Cup qualifier between Wales and Serbia at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday evening.


The Spanish referee is vastly experienced and has been a FIFA listed referee since 2004. He was also a referee at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where he refereed three matches in total including Serbia’s 1-0 win against Germany in the group stages.

The 43-year-old has been in the middle for eight El Classico’s between Real Madrid and Barcelona and has also refereed the Copa del Rey final and the Spanish Super Cup final.

Wales have been refereed by Mallenco on one previous occasion. He was in the middle for Wales’ 2-0 defeat to Bosnia in 2015 which was the game where Wales sealed their Euro 2016 qualification.

So far this season, he has refereed five La Liga games, one Champions league game, one Europa League game and one World Cup qualifier. He was most recently in charge of Porto’s win against Club Brugge in the Champions League group stage.

Mallenco will be assisted by Spanish linesmen Roberto Díaz Pérez Del Palomar and Raúl Cabañero Martínez while the Fourth Official is fellow La Liga referee Carlos Clos Gomez who is also a UEFA second group referee.

TEAM NEWS

Wales will be lifted by the return of midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Group D leaders Serbia.

Arsenal midfielder Ramsey is back after a hamstring injury, as is the in-form Allen, who missed October's 1-1 draw with Georgia.

But defenders Ben Davies and James Collins have both withdrawn from the Wales squad because of injury.

Serbia are without suspended Manchester City left-back Aleksandar Kolarov.

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