Wales have made a strong start to their World Cup qualification campaign with a home win over Kazakhstan and a 1-1 draw in North Macedonia, but there will be no excuses if they cannot get past minnows Liechtenstein in Cardiff on Friday.
Their opponents have just five teams below them in the FIFA rankings and have failed to score in four of their last five games, despite playing some of Europe’s weakest teams in the Nations League and Konrad Funfstuck’s team may concentrate on damage limitation.
Team news
Wales boss Craig Bellamy has brought Harry Wilson and Ethan Ampadu back into his squad and there is also a place for Cardiff’s teenage defender Ronan Kpakio, who could be handed the chance to impress on his home ground.
Brennan Johnson and Ben Davies are named after helping Tottenham to Europa League success, but their involvement may be limited with the upcoming trip to Belgium in mind.
Liechtenstein boss Konrad Funfstuck has reported no injuries and is likely to announce a defensive line-up captained by midfielder Nicolas Hasler.
The stats
Wales have won all three previous meetings with Liechtenstein without conceding.
The home side have lost just one of their last 18 matches.
Both teams have scored in five of Wales’s last seven outings.
Only three of Liechtenstein’s last 14 games have featured more than three goals.
The visitors have failed to score in four of their last five matches.
Prediction
A last-gasp equaliser from David Brooks in North Macedonia ensured Wales maintained their unbeaten record under Craig Bellamy and they should have few problems extending that sequence when Liechtenstein provide their latest World Cup qualifying opposition on Friday.
A 3-1 opening win over Kazakhstan gave Wales the perfect start and three more points against the group minnows will be essential before they head to Belgium for a much tougher assignment on Monday.
Liechtenstein have proved themselves to be among the weakest of the weak lately, becoming the first team to lose to San Marino in a competitive fixture for 20 years in September and they have also failed to score in recent matches against Malta and Gibraltar.
While Wales will want to ensure they do not slip up, it is likely that their opponents will make themselves as difficult to play against as possible, so they may not run up a cricket score, especially if Bellamy holds some of his stars in reserve for the bigger test after the weekend.
A comfortable home win is likely but Bellamy’s boys may not run riot.