Wales vs Moldova. FIFA World Cup European Qualifying Group D.
Cardiff City Stadium.
Monday 5 September 2016 18:41, UK
Wales start out on the road to World Cup 2018 at home to Moldova on Monday, with the nation still on a high after reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
After his heroics in France, manager Chris Coleman has told Wales' World Cup rivals to beware an improved Gareth
Bale as the qualifying campaign gets underway live on Sky Sports 1 HD.
Wales boss Coleman says the Real Madrid forward continues to improve - and that spells bad news for 2018 World Cup qualifying opponents Austria, Serbia, the Republic of Ireland, Moldova and Georgia.
"Gareth scored inside 75 seconds of Real's first game of the season, but I never get surprised by him," said Coleman.
"He's getting better and better still. Along with that incredible ability he's got that first-class mentality as well. It's winning formula for Real Madrid and for Wales, and I think he will have another good season."
Team news
Wales are without two of their Euro 2016 heroes as Aaron Ramsey, who was magnificent in France, and Jonathan Williams are both injured.
But Coleman expects Emyr Huws and Tom Lawrence, two players overlooked for summer selection, to play their parts during this World Cup campaign.
Back-up goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams will be in reserve on Monday with Wayne Hennessey having recovered from the leg injury which forced him to miss Crystal Palace's 1-1 Premier League draw with Bournemouth.
Opta stats
Wales have played Moldova twice before, winning once and losing once during Euro 1996 qualification.
In the only previous meeting in Wales in September 1995, Gary Speed scored the only goal of the game to give Wales victory.
Moldova have won one of their last 21 games (1-0 v Andorra), losing 14 and drawing six.
Wales are unbeaten in six home competitive games (W4 D2); they last went seven unbeaten between October 1990 and October 1993 under Terry Yorath.
All of Moldova's last four victories have been away from home, stretching back to October 2013.
Moldova won three of their 10 qualifiers for the last World Cup, having won just two of their previous 38 beforehand.
Charlie Nicholas' prediction
I like what Chris Coleman has done since Euro 2016. He's shown his commitment and brought his good mate Kit Symons back in.
However, Aaron Ramsey is out and the last time he didn't play they got knocked out of the Euros. He's almost as important as Gareth Bale.
Moldova will double up on Bale and assume that nobody else will be able to trouble them, but I fancy Hal Robson-Kanu to be to impress after securing his move to West Brom.
Charlie predicts: 1-0 and Robson-Kanu to score first (10/1 with Sky Bet)
