Portugal vs Wales – Preview and Prediction

Portugal vs Wales
Euro 2016 – Semi Final
Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Kick-off: 20:00 UK Time
Venue: Stade des Lumieres (Lyon)

The Euro 2004 finalist “Portugal” lock horns with the competition’s new blood and first time semi-finalist Wales on Wednesday evening.

Portugal are yet to win a game in regular time at the tournament in France, pulling through to the quarter final in added extra time and the semi-finals with the aid of penalty shoot-out. The Portuguese have made to their fourth semi-final in 6 tournament appearances by edging pass Poland on penalty shoot-out on Thursday. They are still in search of their first ever European Championship title.

Wales made it to their first UEFA European championship semi-final in their first appearance at the tournament. The dragons have lost once in the first 5 games of the competition, suffering 2-1 defeat from the hands of neighbours England.

Portugal: Team News

Fernando Santos will be without the services of tenacious William Cavarlho. The Galant middle man was booked in Portugal penalty decided quarter-final clash with Poland.

While fullback Raphael Guerreiro and midfielder Andre Gomes are still sidelined with their respective injuries.

Portugal: Predicted line up (4-4-2)

Rui Patricio – Cedric, Fonte, Pepe, Eliseu – Mario, Sanches, Moutinho, Silva – Nani, Ronaldo.

Wales: Team News

Chris Coleman will be without the services of Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies, who reached the card limit after picking up a booking in the quarter final clash with Belgium.

Wales: Predicted line-up (3-5-2)

Henessey – Chester, Williams, Collins – Gunter, Ledley, Allen, Joe Williams, Taylor – Bale, Robson-Kanu.

Portugal vs Wales: Head to Head stats

Both sides are meeting for the second time in the 21st century, with their first encounter being in 2000 during an international friendly in which Portugal won by a 3-0 score line.

However, some players in both teams are familiar with each other strength, weakness, playing style.

Portugal vs Wales: Prediction

Wales have surpassed most people’s expectation with this Semi-final ticket, having to fight one of the competition most endowed team in the Quarter Final. One is weary of the surprise they have in their bag now, and will have to think twice before predicting Portugal will have a resounding victory.

The Selecao on the other hand have not being convincing in all the 5 games played so far in the competition. They failed to win all their group games and the two knock-out games went beyond the regulation 90 minutes.

Therefore both side have an equal chance of a scooping the final ticket, but I will stick with the Fernando Santos men getting it ahead of the Welsh team due to the experience they have garnered in this competition down the years.

Score Prediction: Portugal 3-1 Wales

Tips:

• Over 0.5 goals (HT)
• Both Teams to Score
• Over 2.5 goals (FT)
• Double Chance – Portugal/Draw