Montenegro vs Wales prediction: EUROPE: UEFA Nations League – League B betting tips on match 2024-09-08 18:45.
[p]It wasn’t a great start to this latest edition of the UEFA Nations League (UNL) for Montenegro who opened the Group B4 campaign with a 2-0 defeat away to Iceland. That would suggest a bit of rustiness for Robert Prosinečki’s men, who hadn’t played a competitive game before that since November, while they now face the prospect of a fourth success defeat here. [/p]
[p]You’d have to go back to March 2016 for the last time that happened, although three wins from their past four matches played on home soil (L1) does suggest Montenegro are well placed to get back on track in front of their home fans. Only one of their past four home games in this competition have ended in defeat too (W2, D1), while a 100% record in their two games on these shores against Wales should again enhance confidence (W2). [/p]
[p]The last of those meetings came way back in 2010, so this galvanised Wales side aren’t likely to dwell on it too much. They started their campaign with a solid 0-0 draw against Euro 2024 quarter-finalists Turkey, and the performance drew plenty of praise from the media for new boss Craig Bellamy, with BBC writer Dafydd Pritchard claiming that a bold different playing style and a clear identity was “crystal clear” to see. [/p]
[p]Despite that, Bellamy can’t ignore that Wales’ winless – and scoreless – run now stands at four matches (D2, L2). Their record is even bleaker in this competition, where Wales haven’t won in seven games (D2, L5), although their relegation to Group B in the last edition may benefit him in building a head of steam given Wales have lost just two of their 11 games at this level (W7, D2).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Montenegro’s hopes will possibly lie with Stevan Jovetić given he’s scored three of his nation’s last four goals on home soil. He also scored in the first-ever meeting between these two nations back in 2009. Mark Harris might get his shot here after he was an unused substitute against Turkey. He was recalled to the Wales fold by Bellamy after a year out and arrives having netted four goals in his four league appearances for Oxford United this season. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Each of Montenegro’s last three home UNL matches produced exactly two match goals, all of which arrived in the second half. [/p]
[p][i]Written by David H[/i][/p]