Aaron Ramsey’s brace against Hungary back in November 2019 secured Wales’ place at Euro 2020 and we look at how the Dragons might fare when the tournament finally gets underway in June.
Another Semi-Final Run?
Wales are 100/1 to win the multi-country extravaganza but Ryan Giggs’ side are well accustomed to upsetting the odds.
It’s hard to forget Wales’ run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, when lead by Chris Coleman, they memorably upset a star-studded Belgium in the last eight.
The Dragons will need to be at their best to repeat those heroics but are unlikely to fear anybody after their heroics in France.
Tough Pool Prospects
Wales topped a group containing England, Slovakia and Russia, before beating Northern Ireland and Belgium in the knockout stages of Euro 2016, but this time around their section has a stronger look to it.
Italy are the 5/9 favourites to win Group A and that looks a fair assessment. The Azzurri topped their qualifying group with a perfect ten wins from ten games record and Roberto Mancini looks to have a nice blend of experience and youth at his disposal.
Switzerland and Turkey are the other two sides housed in the section and that leaves Wales as 13/2 outsiders to make it through to the knockout stage.
However, Turkey are an inconsistent side that have been good enough to pick up a draw in Germany, but bad enough to lose to a poor Hungary side on two occasions last year.
With Italy expected to dominate the section much will depend on how Wales perform against the remaining two sides in the group, while they may have to rely on a third-place finish for qualification.
Young Guns and Fading Stars
While it would be unfair to say that Gareth Bale and Ramsey have carried Wales, no two players have had a more significant impact on their performances in recent years.
Ramsey has made 17 appearances for Juventus this season and the 30-year-old still looks to have plenty to offer his country. However, Bale’s club football has been severely limited in the last couple of years and his game time since making the move to Spurs has been mainly reserved for the Europa League and League Cup.
It would be unwise to write a player of Bale’s class off, and he has been integral to Wales’ success in recent times. However, it’s likely he will need assistance from other members of Giggs’ squad if the good times are to continue for the Dragons.
The hope is that there looks to be some talented youngsters ready to pull on the Welsh shirt.
Joe Rodon has looked full of promise since moving to Spurs and there are the makings of a talented and youthful defence alongside fellow Tottenham man Ben Davies, Liverpool’s Neco Williams and Sheffield United’s Ethan Ampadu.
Harry Wilson and Daniel James are capable performers on their day and Giggs’ attacking options have been boosted by the improvement shown from Kieffer Moore and Tyler Roberts.
There’s no doubt Wales face a tough task ahead of them, but the Dragons have slain higher-rated rivals in the past and you wouldn’t bet against them doing it again in June.
*All odds correct at time of writing.