Our prediction for this Euro 2020 match:
Azerbaijan
Match Time & Date:
16/11/2019
12:00 PM
Prediction: 0-2
Wales
Despite sitting in the 4th position in Group E ahead of the trip to Azerbaijan, Wales’ chances of qualifying for the Euro 2020 are anything but slim. Back-to-back wins over Azerbaijan and Hungary should see the Dragons book their place the European Championship finals, but that is easier said than done. Ryan Giggs’ troops have no other choice but to go all guns blazing at the Azeri, who have little to play for in Saturday’s match, and the visitors are surely capable of beating the rock-bottom team at Bakcell Arena.
Since key player Gareth Bale has recovered in time to face Nikola Jurcevic’s men, away win should be considered. Yet another man to watch in the away team will be Manchester United midfielder Daniel James, who is likely to prove a handful for the opposition defenders. You should bear in mind that Azerbaijan have collected only one point from possible 18 in the process.
Highlighted Player (Richard):
Richard is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a midfielder at Qarabag of Azerbaijan. Richard Almeida de Oliveira was born on March 20, 1989 in Sao Paulo, Brazil and he started his senior career at Santo Andre. After making only four appearances in the league for the Brazilian club, he signed a loan deal with Portuguese side Gil Vicente.
In 2012 he moved to Azerbaijan, signing a contract with Qarabag and he has been playing for the Atilar ever since. Richard impressed in his debut season with the club as he scored 13 goals in 30 appearances in the national championship for Qarabag. The 177-cm tall player made his Azerbaijan debut on June 10, 2017 in a 1-0 loss to Northern Ireland.
His main position is central midfield, but he is capable of playing as both attacking midfielder and a left winger as well. It has to be noted that Richard’s contract with Qarabag should expire on June 30, 2018.
Highlighted Team (Wales):
Despite being part of the United Kingdom, Wales national football team has been competing in FIFA tournaments since 1950, although they have so far only reached two tournament finals. The Dragons surprised everyone by making it to the quarter-finals at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, but little did they know that it would remain their only World Cup appearance up to date.
Wales had plenty of problems in the European Championship qualifiers as well, but they finally managed to end the barren run by securing their place at the Euro 2016 in France. Led by the likes of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen and Ashley Williams, the Dragons performed admirably throughout the campaign and even reached the 8th position in the FIFA Rankings in October 2015.
Neville Southall remains the team’s most capped player, but the generation that included Ryan Giggs, Gary Speed, Craig Bellamy and John Hartson will also be remembered for some impressive performances against top European national teams.
Arsenal
Fulham
Atalanta
Juventus
Manchester United
Burnley
Leicester
Southampton
Napoli
Inter
