World Cup Qualifying: Serbia vs Wales preview

Everybody expects a heated match at Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade on Sunday as Group D leaders Serbia face undefeated Wales in a match that could have a major impact on the qualification race. The reverse fixture in November ended 1-1 as Aleksandar Mitrovic scored in the second half after Gareth Bale had opened the scoring before the interval. The two teams also met in the qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup and back then Serbia secured two emphatic wins over Wales. Serbia are currently tied with Ireland at the top of the Group D table after having recorded three wins and two draws so far. Last time out they secured a 3-1 victory in Georgia but they need to keep winning as otherwise Wales, Ireland and even Austria could leave them out of the top two. Head coach Slavoljub Muslin doesn't have any injury concerns ahead of this match so he will probably choose to field his usual eleven, with Aleksandar Mitrovic up front and Aleksandar Kolarov and Branislav Ivanovic in a three-man defense. Wales are unbeaten in this campaign after five matches, but they have won just the first match and then recorded four consecutive draws. That string of stalemates left them in third place, tied with Austria on seven points and four points behind leading duo Serbia and Ireland. Another draw would keep them in with a decent chance, but what they really need on Sunday would be a win. Neil Taylor is suspended for this match, while star player Gareth Bale will also miss out after having just recently recovered from an ankle injury. Probable line-ups: Serbia: Stojkovic - Nastasic, Ivanovic, Kolarov - Rukavina, Milivojevic, Matic, Obradovic - Kostic, Tadic - Mitrovic Wales: Hennessey - Chester, Williams, Davies - Gunter, Allen, Ramsey, Ledley, Richards - Robson-Kanu, Vokes My prediction: Serbia to win 3-1. Here are the odds for the match at Bet365: Serbia win - 1.70 Draw - 3.50 Wales win - 5.25