Bulgaria v Wales, 6pm Wednesday, live on Sky Sports

Internationals / Editor / 21 August 2007 / Leave a Comment

Real uphill struggle for Simon Davies and Wales in Bulgaria

It will be no holiday for Wales as they travel to the Bulgarian coastal resort of Bourgas, looking for a fourth unbeaten game on the spin in a difficult looking friendly.

Although John Toshack's side have not lost since March, they are still 7.2 underdogs in the match odds market as they will most likely find even an under-strength Bulgaria harder to handle away from home than the likes of San Marino and New Zealand.

Bulgaria are strong at 1.58, and with the amount of money waiting to be laid at slightly longer odds, it is clear to see where Betfair punters' thoughts lie ahead of this game. The draw, a result that cropped up the last time the sides met, is available at 3.9.

The sides last locked horns in a friendly at Swansea's Liberty Stadium almost exactly a year ago, and it was a game that will not live very long in the memory with no goals and chances at a premium.

However, Wales are not expected to achieve the same result with 0-0 available at 11.5 in Betfair's Correct Score market and a 1-0 home win the favourite at 6.8. There will also be some decent prices about a Wales Clean Sheet although Bulgaria's problem, in recent seasons, has been scoring goals.

With their main producer Dimitar Berbatov, and most promising youngster Valeri Bojinov both injured, much will rest on the midfield promptings of Martin Petrov, one of the players responsible for Manchester City's fine start to the Premier League season.

He could be of interest in the First Scorer market when it develops as he is the only player in their squad with more than 10 international goals.

Wales are not without problems of their own, with Craig Bellamy opting out of the game to be with his wife, who has just given birth, and his scoring prowess will be missed. Derby striker Robert Earnshaw is expected to step in to partner Freddy Eastwood (who has scored twice for Wolves this season) in attack.

With a record of 13 goals in their last 10 games (with seven of those against San Marino and Litchenstein) it is hard to see Wales troubling their opposing keeper too often.

With another cagey game likely, the low end of the total goals and over/under markets could well be popular.