Sports

Euro 2016 Semi Final – Portugal v Wales

The Parc Olympique, Lyonnaise, – Thursday 7th July, 3AM AWST

Recent Form

Portugal 1 v Poland 1 (Portugal 5-4 penalties)

Wales 3 v Belgium 1

Head to head

Portugal 2 – Wales 1 – Drawn 0

Recent match

2000 International Friendly– Portugal 3 v Wales 0

Match Overview

Portuguese midfielder William Carvalho will miss the match through suspension, his likely replacement will be Porto midfielder Danilo Pereira.

Injured left back Raphael Guerreiro faces a race against time to make the team and Eliseu will most likely keep his place in the starting line-up.

Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies will both miss this match through suspension. Premier League player Andy King likely to replace Ramsey and James Collins the best replacement for Davies at Centre Back.

Real Madrid superstars Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will go head to head which makes for fascinating viewing.

Portugal are yet to win a game in 90 minutes and Wales have been one of the highest scoring teams in the tournament.

Wales topped Group B scoring six goals and conceding three.  During the knockout stage Wales defeated Northern Ireland 1-0, before their upset win over Belgium 3-1 after they conceded the first goal.

Overall Wales have score 10 goals and conceded five times.

Portugal finished third in Group F with four goals for and against.  In the knock out stage Portugal defeated Croatia in extra time 1-0 and then defeated Poland 5-3 on penalties after the match was locked at 1-1 after extra time.

So, Portugal come this far with six goals for and five goals against.

Craig Coleman has said he will stay with his 3-5-2 formation and Portugal Manager Fernando Santos will again go in with a 4-4-2 setup.

Quaresma has been the unlikely hero for Portugal after scoring in extra time against Croatia and drilling the final penalty home against Poland.

Add in Ronaldo, Nani and the extremely impressive 18 year old Renato Sanches and Portugal have got the firepower to match Wales goal for goal.

Wales will need to find the cohesion with Ramsey and Davies out, they have been very important players. Especially Ramsey, who has been pivotal in many attacking thrusts that have resulted in goals.

But Wales are more than a one trick pony. Robson-Kanu, Williams, Vokes and Taylor are all capable of scoring when it matters.

Will the Portuguese defensive game be enough to hold the attacking style of the Welsh team?

Player Watch

Renato Sanches – has been building and looks outstanding with his pace and goal sense. An emerging talent to follow.

Gareth Bale – Staying with this superstar of world football.  Works in so well with Robson-Kanu and will take some stopping when he gets his chance.

Match Result

Draw at 90 Minutes-Portugal to win.

Bet Suggestions

Option 1 – Both teams to score $2.25*

Option 2 – Game Total +2.5 $2.60*

Option 3- Anytime goal scorers Renato Sanches $5* and Gareth Bale $2.70*

Odds correct as at 9am 4 July and subject to change.

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