Travelling Wales visit the Bilino Polje Stadium on Saturday night to face Bosnia-Herzegovina in their penultimate qualifying fixture in Group B.
Chris Coleman's men require just a single point from their remaining two fixtures to guarantee progression, while the hosts are fighting to snatch a playoff spot from current holders Israel.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
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Qualification has already proven a tough ask for a Bosnia side that was originally listed as Group B's top seed when the campaign got underway.
As it stands, Bosnia are now only able to qualify through the playoff positions and they would first need to dislodge third-placed Israel in order to do so.
Mehmed Bazdarevic's team will be hoping that Israel slip up in their remaining two fixtures, leaving Bosnia to move above them by climbing what currently stands as a two-point gap between the two sides. Should the teams finish level on points, Israel would move into the playoffs with a better head-to-head advantage.
Bosnia have been able to turn around what was a difficult year in 2014 to record three victories out of four qualification games this year, but they come into this clash off the back of having lost to Belgium in their last pair of qualifiers in September.
Saturday's hosts know that a draw against Wales would not be too disastrous since they face Cyprus in their final game, while Israel still have fixtures against the Cypriots and Belgium before the close of qualification.
The playoffs are still possible for Bosnia, but whatever happens at the weekend they will still be heavily reliant on Eli Guttman's men stumbling in the coming days.
Recent form: DLWWLW
Wales
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Wales come up against Bosnia knowing that a point will secure progression into the finals in France next year.
The Dragons might well have wrapped up qualification last time out against Israel, but they were unable to get three points at the Millennium Stadium to end a 57-year wait for a place in the finals of a major tournament.
Coleman's charges require a draw against Saturday's hosts or Andorra in their final game, and the former Fulham coach will be confident that they can wrap things up without the need for a tense finish to what has been a standout bid for qualification.
Should the disastrous thing happen and Wales fall to consecutive improbable defeats, the current table toppers still have the chance to move through via the playoffs if they do somehow finish up in a unlikely third place.
Wales fans will be ecstatic given the fitness of key man Gareth Bale, who has been passed fit for their remaining two matches following some calf issues, and Coleman will be aware that his team can often be an entirely different proposition when the 26-year-old is at full throttle.
In the history of these two sides, Wales have actually never beaten Bosnia, although taking into account their current form in the group and the development of this team under Coleman, the Dragons will be quietly confident of sealing the deal without even having to consider their home fixture with Andorra next Tuesday.
Recent form: WDWWWD
Team News
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As mentioned, Bale should be a prominent fixture in Coleman's side at the weekend, and he should start in attack alongside the often unsung Hal Robson-Kanu.
Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey is expected to try to run the game from midfield as part of a middle five that will also include the likes of Andy King and Dave Edwards.
David Cotterill has been forced to pull out through injury, meaning that Bristol City's Wes Burns has been able to earn himself a maiden call-up for his country.
Bosnia have a major concern in the shape of Roma's Edin Dzeko, who has remained in Italy over the past few days in order to give himself the best chance of being fit for Saturday.
Another issue that the hosts will have to deal with is the absence of Everton midfielder Muhamed Besic, who received a red card against Andorra.
Bosnia-Herzegovina starting lineup:
Begovic; Kolasinac, Mujdza, Hajrovic, Spahic, Pjanic, Visca, Medunjanin, Lulic, Dzeko, Ibisevic
Wales possible starting lineup:
Hennessey; Gunter, Williams, Davies, Richards, Taylor, King, Edwards, Ramsey, Bale, Robson-Kanu
Head To Head
These sides last met in Group B at the backend of last year in Cardiff, where the teams played out a goalless draw. Wales are still looking for their first victory over Bosnia, who claimed a 2-0 victory over the Dragons at the Parc y Scarlets in 2012. In the friendly encounter before that in 2003, Wales had John Hartson and Rob Earnshaw to thank as they claimed a 2-2 draw at the Millennium.
We say: Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-1 Wales
Wales will be hopeful that they can at least gain a point away on their travels against a Bosnia side that have caused them problems in the past. Coleman's charges have provided fans with some impressive performances this year and they will be backed by a passionate away following that has its sights firmly set on securing progression at the soonest point possible. Bosnia can often be a hard place to go to, but given what excitement potentially awaits Wales in the coming days, the Dragons should have enough behind them to snatch a point on the road.
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