Image source, Reuters

Wales manager Chris Coleman, speaking to Sky Sports: "We can sense the excitement but we are in a good way. It will be a tough game, a big challenge but we are ready.

"It is difficult because you know what is going on and what is possible. When you start thinking too far into the future, that is when you have problems. Israel is our challenge today.

"We were tired against Belgium but the fans got us over the line. The players sensed the passion and I have seen nothing like it. They will need to be patient but we will need them again.

"We are in a good position, a great opportunity for us but we have not done anything yet."

Robbie Savage
BBC Radio 5 live

"The Welsh public will be proud to have Giggs and Bale as their best players.

But Bale is - for me - the greatest player Wales have had."

BBC Radio 5 Live

Fifteen minutes to kick-off. Who's getting excited?

Blue skies above the Cardiff City Stadium and the fans are streaming in. 

"Wales, Wales, Wales," roar those already inside the ground. Gareth Bale is given a standing ovation as he leaves the pitch and heads for the dressing room.

BBC Sport's Dafydd Pritchard at Cardiff City Stadium: "The atmosphere is simmering inside the stadium as they players warm up.

"One fan tells me he has placed a bet on Wales scoring in the 58th minute, in reference to Wales’ last appearance at a major tournament, the 1958 World Cup.

"The bookmaker in question has apparently taken more than a dozen of the same bets today.

"It seems Wales’ fans are a superstitious bunch, and confident of their chances against Israel."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Spare a thought for the stewards on duty inside the Cardiff City Stadium if Wales win.

Fans have been warned not to ruin what could be football’s biggest day in the principality for more than half a century by trying to get on to the pitch to celebrate.

The shadow of what happened in Andorra 12 months ago hangs over the national team when Gareth Bale’s late winner in the Pyrenees was greeted by a pitch invasion of jubilant fans.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) were fined £3,950 and warned by Uefa over the future behaviour of their supporters. 

A massive game in Group A sees Turkey host the Netherlands, with the Dutch struggling to qualify for Euro 2016. A win for the Turks will see them leapfrog their opponents into third place in the standings. Leaders Iceland face Kazakhstan (19:45 BST) and Czech Republic are in Latvia.

In Group H, Croatia and Italy are locked on 15 points, separated only by goal difference. The Croats have a difficult away match in Norway, while the Italians are at home to Bulgaria.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

Half an hour to kick-off and the Cardiff City Stadium is filling quickly.Every single seat in the home sections is sold. It's going to be noisy...

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, .

Chris Coleman has proved to be an expert at rallying his players but if the Wales boss was looking for a different voice to inspire the team he could do worse than invite John Hartson into the dressing room.

"I failed and Ryan Giggs,Craig Bellamy and Robbie Savage - we all failed, Mark Hughes, Ian Rush," former Wales international Hartson told BBC Radio 5 live before Thursday's win in Cyprus.

"Do you think they're going to mess it up now? Absolutely no chance. Wales fans - book your trains, book your flights. We're off to France."

Listen to Hartson's full speech on the BBC Radio 5 live website., external

What a welcome for Chris Coleman's team outside the Cardiff City Stadium. Just over 40 minutes to the start of the biggest match in a generation for Wales.

Image source, Getty Images

It will be red hot inside the Cardiff City Stadium at kick-off but Wales boss Chris Coleman will still be wearing his lucky black jacket.

The 45-year-old has revealed he has not even sent the blazer to the dry cleaners throughout the entire qualifying campaign as a result of his side's unbeaten run.

"I'm not sure people will be too happy standing too close to me but the jacket will be on, don't worry about that," he tells Wales Online., external

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio 5 Live

Is Gareth Bale Wales' greatest ever player?

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Wales internationals Robbie Savage and John Hartson will take you through the game on BBC Radio 5 live. There is full match commentary from Ian Brown from 17:00 BST.