Wales v Northern Ireland preview: Gareth Bale out with calf problem

Wales take on Northern Ireland in Cardiff in an international friendly as both teams prepare for Euro 2016 this summer.

Northern Ireland's visit to the Cardiff City Stadium will represent a Euro 2016 send-off for Wales in front of their own supporters.

Wales will conclude their Euro 2016 build-up with friendlies in Ukraine on Monday and Sweden at the start of June.

And Coleman expects a traditional physical British battle against Michael O'Neill's side in a fixture arranged to replicate the challenge of Euro 2016 opponents England in Lens on June 16.

"I would imagine it will be feisty and that's what we want," said Coleman. "I know Michael's mentality and he will want that as well, he will want a proper game and I'm sure that's what it will be.

"When we play these teams, be it England, Scotland, Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, we don't want to lose to a neighbouring country."

Team news

Defender Ben Davies (head) and Tom Bradshaw (hamstring) have joined a lengthy Wales injury list which already includes Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Hal Robson-Kanu, James Collins, Andy King and Paul Dummett.

Davies and Bradshaw are expected to be fit for Monday's game in Kiev and Gareth Bale has not bee included int he squad.

Michael O'Neill has called Michael Smith and Conor Washington into his Northern Ireland squad, but Derby County defender Chris Baird, on loan at Fulham, is ruled out by injury.

West Brom's Chris Brunt is also not involved after being sidelined with a knee problem that will see him miss the Euros.

Opta Stats

Wales are unbeaten in seven internationals against Northern Ireland (W4 D3).

Wales' loss to the Netherlands in November is their only defeat in nine at home (W5 D3).

Michael O'Neill has never won an away friendly during his time as Northern Ireland manager (D2 L5).

The last time Northern Ireland scored in an away non-competitive international was in August 2006 v Finland.

Charlie Nicholas' prediction

Gareth Bale has been tip-toeing through things at Real Madrid and I thought he could have been here to get 60 minutes in him, especially as I don't see this as being a really physical encounter. There will be a couple of wee tackles in there but I think both sides will be focusing on the bigger picture of the summer, with players looking to pin down their places.

Chris Coleman has been hit hardest by injuries with his two best players, Bale and Aaron Ramsey, both out, but I still see them as having more quality and Northern Ireland, who will sit in and look to hit on the counter-attack, so it might need a set-piece to break them down.

Charlie predicts: 2-0 and Ashley Williams to score anytime (50/1 with Sky Bet)

Republic of Ireland v Switzerland

Betting

Wales are Sky Bet's 13/10 favourites for the victory with Northern Ireland up against odds of 12/5 and the draw priced at 2/1. Sam Vokes heads the first goalscorer betting at 9/2 in the absence of Bale, while Josh Magennis and Kyle Lafferty are rated the visitors' biggest threat at 7/1 apiece. Soccer Saturday pundit Charlie Nicholas is backing Ashley Williams to score anytime in a 1-1 draw in his Sky Bet tips, available at 90/1.