Wales boss Ryan Giggs
Wales boss Ryan Giggs

Free football preview & betting tips: China Cup action as hosts China take on Wales


Wales take on China in the China Cup on Thursday morning and Tom Carnduff is backing Ryan Giggs for success in his first game.


China v Wales recommended bets

2pts Wales to win and over 1.5 goals in the match at 5/4

For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record


China v Wales (11:35 GMT, BBC One Wales)

Wales make a 10,000-mile round trip as they travel to China to participate in the 2018 China Cup. Their first clash of the competition sees them come up against the hosts at the Guangxi Sports Center in Nanning.

45 places separate these two sides in the World Rankings with Wales sitting in 20th, despite no involvement at the 2018 World Cup, and they are priced at 3/4 to secure victory. China can be found as big as 11/2 to progress to the final in 90 minutes.

A draw would see both sides participate in a penalty shootout, which can be backed at 13/5.

It's Ryan Giggs' first game in charge of the national team after he replaced Chris Coleman, who departed to take over at Championship strugglers Sunderland.

On making the trip to participate in the tournament, Giggs said: "It's a great adventure. Not many of these players will have been to China. I've been to China on lots of occasions and the fans there are fanatical.

"It's a great trip in terms of seeing a different part of the world. It's a challenge, and it gives me and the staff the chance to see players that we've not seen before. And it's a tournament, which is going to be competitive.

"There's quality teams in there. You want to see the players train well, and you want to see what they're like under pressure in big games."

Wales' Gareth Bale: in training ahead of the China Cup

In terms of the squad, Aaron Ramsey won't travel as he misses out with a medical procedure. An administrative issue with Danny Ward's passport and necessary visa to travel to China means that the Liverpool goalkeeper is unable to make the tournament. Real Madrid star Gareth Bale will be a part of the travelling group and is expected to feature.

You'd be looking at Bale as someone who will be the difference between the two sides.

The large majority of the China side play within the cash-rich Chinese Super League, which relies on big-name footballers from around the world to help grow its reputation.

Giggs will be eager to ensure his first game ends in victory and his side should have the sufficient quality required to set up a date in the final against either Uruguay or the Czech Republic.

The likes of Sam Vokes, Joe Allen and Ben Woodburn will also be available for selection and alongside Bale they'll be able to put out a strong line-up against Marcello Lippi's China side.

Wales to win and over 1.5 goals looks good value at 5/4, as you'd expect Wales to grab a couple of goals if they were to win on the day, whilst you'd be looking at Bale to be involved in the goal scoring in some way if he does start.

Score prediction: China 0-3 Wales (Sky Bet odds: 12/1)

Best bet: Wales to win and over 1.5 goals in the match at 5/4

Alternative bet: Gareth Bale to score anytime at 6/5


Posted at 14:45 GMT (21/03/18)

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