Wales v Georgia: Tight home win expected without Ramsey and Allen

Wales currently sit top of World Cup 2018 Group D qualifying having followed up a 4-0 win at home to Moldova with a respectable 2-2 draw away in Austria.

Pivotal to both results has been the performances of midfielder Joe Allen, who has netted in each of these fixtures.

However, a hamstring injury during the Austria draw has ruled Allen out of Wales’ qualifier with Georgia, meaning Chris Coleman will be without two of his leading midfield assets. Aaron Ramsey still remains sidelined too.

A bit of good news for Wales is that they have avoided defeat in each of the three internationals the pair have both been absent for since 2013 – a Euro 2016 qualifying draw with Bosnia, a 2-1 victory over Cyprus and a 1-1 friendly draw with Northern Ireland back in March.

However, with Georgia having lost each of their opening two qualifiers – 2-1 at home to Austria and 1-0 away to the Republic of Ireland – this is hardly a home fixture where the Welsh can afford to drop points.

They have only been beaten by Holland in their last 14 home matches, which includes a run of four successive victories.

Georgia have lost seven of their last nine on the road, but it should be remembered that this run includes a 1-0 win in Spain. They have netted in four of their last five road trips.

Wales should have enough to win, but taking the 1/4 simply on the victory over Georgia doesn’t offer the best in the way of value.

Instead, with Georgia’s away scoring record of late and avoidance of heavy defeats, the 2-1 Wales victory may represent the best way to bigger profit at 13/2.

There may also be some value in the game being level at half time with Wales ahead at the final whistle. This can be backed at 11/4.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing