Wales return to Cardiff on Thursday night still searching for their first points – and first goal – of the new Nations League campaign.
Craig Bellamy’s side followed a narrow 1-0 defeat in Portugal with a much more difficult afternoon in Copenhagen. A Ben Davies own goal and Gustav Isaksen strike handed Denmark a 2-0 victory, leaving Wales bottom of League A Group 4.
Norway have three points after two considerably more entertaining games. Erling Haaland scored twice in a 3-2 win over Denmark before finding the net again in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Portugal. His three goals currently make him League A’s leading scorer.
Wales have already faced Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and Rasmus Højlund’s Denmark. Unfortunately, things aren’t getting any easier.
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What are the best betting tips for Wales vs Norway?
Norway to win
Wales haven’t simply lost their opening two games. They haven’t scored in either.
The performance in Lisbon offered encouragement, but Denmark exposed far more problems three days later. Wales were second best for long periods and have now gone six games without a victory in 2026.
Norway arrive with far more attacking firepower.
They beat Denmark 3-2 and were arguably unfortunate to lose against Portugal. Ståle Solbakken’s side created several good opportunities before eventually falling to a 2-1 defeat.
Wales being back in Cardiff should make this a tougher assignment, but injuries have stripped Bellamy of several important players.
Norway look capable of taking advantage.
Erling Haaland to score
We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel here.
Haaland has scored three goals in his opening two Nations League appearances, following his brace against Denmark with another against Portugal. UEFA lists him as League A’s leading scorer heading into Matchday 3.
His overall international record is fairly ridiculous too. The Norway striker now has 65 goals in 57 appearances for his country.
Wales are also without Joe Rodon, leaving Bellamy without one of his most established centre-backs for a game in which dealing with Haaland will be the obvious priority.
Stopping him is considerably easier written than done.
Oscar Bobb to score or assist
Haaland will attract most of the attention, which could create opportunities elsewhere.
Bobb scored in Norway’s opening victory over Denmark and is expected to return to the starting XI after dropping to the bench against Portugal.
The winger offers something different alongside Haaland and Antonio Nusa. He can carry the ball into dangerous areas, create from wide positions and arrive inside the box himself.
Wales could spend plenty of Thursday night worrying about Norway’s number nine.
Bobb is capable of punishing them elsewhere.
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What have the managers said?
Craig Bellamy:
Bellamy remains convinced Wales belong at this level despite losing their opening two matches.
Looking ahead to Norway, the Wales boss highlighted the step up in intensity his side are experiencing in League A:
“For us, this is another one, the intensity, top players, real speed.”
Bellamy was also impressed by Norway’s development after their run to the World Cup quarter-finals.
“I expect you to be a force for a number of years.”
Wales earned promotion under Bellamy after going unbeaten in League B during the 2024/25 campaign. He insists that means they have earned the opportunity to test themselves against this level of opposition.
Ståle Solbakken:
Norway’s pre-match press conference in Cardiff is scheduled for later on Wednesday, so Solbakken has not yet spoken publicly about the Wales game.
However, the Norway boss was adamant his side deserved more from Sunday’s defeat against Portugal.
“We were the better team.”
Solbakken pointed towards Norway’s possession and chances as reasons they should have taken something from the game, although he admitted a costly mistake after Haaland’s equaliser ultimately decided it.
What is Wales’ predicted team?
(4-2-3-1) Ward; Roberts, Mepham, Davies, Neco Williams; Ampadu, Sheehan; Daniel James, Brennan Johnson, Sorba Thomas; Koumas.
Injured: Harry Wilson, Nathan Broadhead, Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon, Dylan Lawlor, Rubin Colwill, Isaak Davies.
Bellamy remains without a sizeable group of players for this international window, including Wilson and Rodon.
Lewis Koumas could be given an opportunity through the middle after Kieffer Moore started against Denmark, while Josh Sheehan is another option to come into midfield.
What is Norway’s predicted team?
(4-3-3) Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Møller Wolfe; Berge, Berg, Ødegaard; Bobb, Haaland, Nusa.
Injured: Alexander Sørloth.
Doubt: Martin Ødegaard.
Norway’s biggest concern surrounds Ødegaard.
The midfielder suffered an ankle problem following a late Bernardo Silva challenge against Portugal and subsequently missed training. He has not been ruled out, but his fitness is being monitored ahead of Thursday.
David Møller Wolfe is available again after serving a suspension against Portugal, while Bobb could return to the starting XI. Haaland will continue through the middle after scoring in both Nations League games so far.
Wales vs Norway prediction
Wales could really do with something here.
Two defeats without scoring have left Bellamy’s side playing catch-up already, and the return to Cardiff should produce a response after the disappointing performance in Denmark.
The problem is the opposition.
Norway have Haaland in frightening international form, while Bobb, Nusa and potentially Ødegaard give them plenty beyond their number nine.
Wales can make this competitive at home, but Norway’s extra quality in the final third could prove decisive.
Score prediction: Wales 1-2 Norway
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