Wales play host to Poland in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday evening knowing that only a win will do if they want to avoid relegation to League B.

Meanwhile, while the Dragons must prevail in Cardiff, Poland are aware that a draw will be enough to retain their status in the top tier.

Match preview

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With Wales sitting at the bottom of League A Group 4 with one point from five matches, there will be those who claim that Robert Page's side belong lower down the UEFA Nations League ladder.

However, regardless of what happens on Sunday, Wales can be proud of their efforts among this company, their four defeats to Netherlands, Belgium and Poland coming by one-goal margins.

Even in losing to Belgium on Thursday night, Wales came out on the contest in Brussels with praise, halving a 2-0 deficit soon after half time through Keiffer Moore and threatening an equaliser against one of the world's best teams.

Nevertheless, Wales need to find a way of turning another encouraging performance into three points on Sunday as they bid to move past third-placed Poland.

Although Poland won the reverse fixture 2-1, that is largely irrelevant for the scenario which awaits both teams at the weekend with Wales having already scored more goals in the group and possessing a better goal difference.

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Wales have that in their favour, a consequence of Poland losing 6-1 to Belgium earlier in the campaign, and it sets up an intriguing fixture on Sunday.

At a time when Wales have only won two of their last nine outings in all competitions, Poland have two victories from eight, the previous win over Wales being preceded by success over Sweden in a World Cup qualifier.

Like their hosts, Poland's last four fixtures have been against Netherlands and Belgium, resulting in just one point being collected from a possible 12.

Czeslaw Michniewicz's team suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to the former on Thursday, both goals being netted inside the opening hour.

Team News

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Having only featured among the replacements on Thursday, Gareth Bale could be recalled to the starting lineup.

However, much could depend on whether Page is willing to drop any of the front three from the game in Brussels, with Moore getting on the scoresheet and the likes of Daniel James and Brennan Johnson bringing their own threats.

With Chris Mepham and Ethan Ampadu both suspended, Ben Cabango could be named in the back three and Joe Morrell recalled to central midfield.

Michniewicz is unlikely to make many alterations to his Poland XI with an unchanged team a realistic possibility.

Szymon Zurkowski will return to the squad after serving a one-match suspension and is an alternative in midfield.

Wales possible starting lineup:
Hennessey; Cabango, Rodon, Norrington-Davies; Roberts, Morrell, Smith, Williams; Johnson, James; Moore

Poland possible starting lineup:
Szczesny; Bednarek, Glik, Kiwior; Frankowski, Krychowiak, Linetty, Zalewski; Zielinski, Szymanski; Lewandowski

We say: Wales 1-1 Poland

Wales have a history of rising to the occasion on home territory, experiences which will give them confidence ahead of this contest. However, Robert Lewandowski is not usually in the opposing lineup, and we cannot see the Barcelona man going through this game without scoring an important goal.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Darren Plant

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