Gareth Bale insists Wales can top Euro 2020 qualification Group E ahead of World Cup runners-up Croatia. Wales open their qualification campaign on Sunday with a home game against Slovakia.

Croatia kicked off their bid to reach Euro 2020 with a win over Azerbaijan earlier this week, while the Slovaks overcame Hungary 2-0.

Bale, who is 4.50 to score first against Slovakia, accepts Croatia are the favourites but he sees no reason why Wales cannot cause an upset as they bid to qualify for the major tournament.

“We are going for top spot,” he said, as reported by Sky Sports. “I don’t know why we wouldn’t. We are always the underdogs.”

He added: “We are going to go into this qualifying campaign looking to win the group. “Obviously, we know both countries [Croatia and Slovakia] got off to winning starts the other day but there’s no reason why we can’t go on and win the group.”

Wales are 2.10 to win on Sunday but they have been dealt a blow ahead of their opener as playmaker Aaron Ramsey has been ruled out with a thigh injury.

Ethan Ampadu, Sam Vokes and Tom Lawrence are also unavailable but midfielder David Brooks is fit after an ankle problem.

Slovakia came through their win over Hungary unscathed and are 3.80 to win, while a draw can be backed at 3.25.