Five scoring alternatives to Gareth Bale for Wales

It’s natural when you mention Wales if a football context that Gareth Bale soon pops into the conversation.

Chris Coleman beware. There is a danger the Dragons are becoming over-reliant on the Real Madrid winger, a point no better evidenced than by 11 players being absent for their home Euro 2016 qualifier against Cyprus. The hosts are odds-on at 4/9 to win the match.

But this got Coral’s football experts thinking. Who else could step up and take up the scoring mantel for Wales? We came up with five alternatives to Bale

Simon Church
The Cardiff City Stadium has been a happy hunting ground for 25-year-old Charlton Athletic striker Church. Both of his international goals, against Scotland and Macedonia, came at this venue in the Welsh capital. If he can score against opposition of that calibre, then finding the target should be a breeze here. Church is a 4/1 chance to net the opener.

David Edwards
Wolves midfielder Edwards netted nine times in the West Midlands outfit’s promotion campaign last term, and will be one of those charged to step up and cover for the injured Aaron Ramsey. He is 7/4 to score anytime against Cyprus, and Edwards has three international goals to his name already.

Andy King
Leicester City’s forgotten man has strikes against Luxembourg and Finland for his country to his credit. Note this is a similar calibre of opposition to Cyprus. Coleman will be targeting more midfield goals and, at 5/1 to net anytime, King can provide a timely reminder to Foxes boss Nigel Pearson of what he can do when he gets a game.

Joe Ledley
Crystal Palace player Ledley once scored a competitive international goal against mighty Russia. There is no reason, then, why he cannot do the same against Cyprus. With a total of three for his country, the left-footer is 10/3 to net anytime here.

Ashley Williams
In previous meeting between the Dragons and Cyprus, the island nation have displayed weakness at set pieces. It’s usually been James Collins on the end of such deliveries, but he is one of the many missing through injured. Why not back national skipper Williams at 12/1 to exploit this trick instead?