Preview

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Sports Mole previews Wednesday's World Cup qualifier between Estonia and Czech Republic, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Czech Republic begin their bid to qualify for the 2022 World Cup with a fixture away in Estonia.

While the visitors are expected to compete with Wales for second spot behind Belgium, Estonia are regarded as the minnows of Group E.

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Match preview

Although Czech Republic do not possess the same quality which helped them reach the final of Euro 96, they can claim to be on an upward trajectory after a productive couple of years.

As well as booking a place at this summer's European Championship, Jaroslav Silhavy's side have earned promotion in the UEFA Nations League after topping a group featuring Scotland, Israel and Slovakia.

Bigger tests are to come as they bid to qualify for their first World Cup since 2006, but Silhavy will be confident of earning at least a playoff spot.

There will be an acknowledgement that Belgium will likely go through as group winners, realistically leaving a two-way tussle with Wales.

Nevertheless, Czech Republic are under pressure to start in positive fashion, building on a run of five wins from eight matches since September.

In sharp contrast, Estonia have gone 16 matches without success, a period lasting since a 1-0 win over Gibraltar in March 2019.

While there have been some notable draws and narrow defeats during that time, new head coach Thomas Haberli has been tasked with trying to finish ahead of Belarus in this group.

Haberli will feel that there is potential within the squad to achieve that target, but his immediate concern will be putting in an encouraging performance on Wednesday night.

These two nations are meeting for the first time since Czech Republic prevailed in a friendly in 2004.

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Team News

Having recorded a 2-0 win over Slovakia last time out, Silhavy could stick with the majority of the team which started that fixture.

Matej Vydra is in line to be recalled for the absent Zdenek Ondrasek, while Ondrej Celustka is an option in the middle of the defence.

West Ham United duo Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek are expected to feature after their strong form in the Premier League.

Three players who started the goalless draw in Georgia are missing from this squad, leaving Haberli to make multiple alterations to his team.

Michael Lilander, Sergei Mosnikov and Frank Liivak are all in line to be included in the Estonia XI.

Estonia possible starting lineup:
Hein; Lilander, Taam, Kuusk, Pikk; Kreida, Mosnikov; Liivak, Vassiljev, Sinyavskiy; Sappinen

Czech Republic possible starting lineup:
Vaclik; Coufal, Kalas, Celustka, Mateju; Soucek, Kral; Masopust, Darida, Jankto; Vydra

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We say: Estonia 0-2 Czech Republic

While both teams will place a certain focus on keeping things tight at the back, the visitors will show a greater urgency in attack. With that in mind, we expect Czech Republic to run out convincing winners on Wednesday night.

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