Road to the quarters
Wales
Group stage:
Defeated Slovakia 2-1
Lost to England 2-1
Defeated Russia 3-0
Round of 16:
Defeated Northern Ireland 1-0
Belgium
Group stage:
Lost to Italy 2-0
Defeated Republic of Ireland 3-0
Defeated Sweden 1-0
Round of 16:
Defeated Hungary 4-0
Win-draw-win odds
Wales – $5 with Sportsbet.com.au
Draw – $3.30 with Sportsbet.com.au
Belgium – $1.62 with Sportsbet.com.au
SUPER nation Belgium takes on the undefeated Welsh in a match up that might not be as clear cut as the bookmakers think.
Belgium is the deserved favourite, at $1.62 with Sportsbet.com.au, but Wales is yet to be beaten at this year’s Euros and could represent some real value at the $5 quote.
The draw at full time also comes into play at $3.30, considering how prolific both sides have been.
Belgium started its Euro campaign disastrously with a 2-0 loss to the Italians and many experts though they might unravel, but they have since steadied the ship and breezed through the round of 16 by blasting four past Hungary.
Wales has perhaps been even more impressive, outshining England to top Group B and beating Northern Ireland on their way to the quarter finals.
Belgium’s Eden Hazard has been playing inspired football throughout the Euros, but never was it more evident than in the round of 16, where he picked apart Hungary with precision passing, delightful skill and a goal for the ages.
The Welsh will be inspired by the chance to make history – they have never made the semi finals of a major tournament.
Don’t expect the game to be an end to end, open affair, if Wales manager Chris Coleman’s comments are anything to go by.
“If you go too open against Belgium they’ll go through you like knife through butter,” Coleman told the press.
“They will do their homework on us, we will do the same on them.
“But our team has always done well to step up to the big challenges.
“Belgium have been here before, this is new for us.
“We are the underdogs.
“They will be expected to win, because they are expected to win most games because of the players they’ve got.
“But football isn’t like that.”
Indeed, it is not, and, while on paper Belgium has the clear advantage, the Welsh have some serious match-winning class in their line up.
Chief among them is the Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale.
Bale is no stranger to success, but has never won anything with his country and would become a national icon if he were to guide his side to a shock Euro title.
The 26-year-old was again instrumental for the Welsh in the round of 16, setting up the goal that ultimately propelled them into the quarters.
And he will need to be on top form for them to get anything out of this game.
Hazard is now back to his absolute best and looks set to be the Dragons’ tormentor, but he won’t be taking them lightly.
“The further we get the opposition will become tougher,” Hazard said.
“We are lucky enough to play in Lille.
“I know the city very well – if not the stadium as I didn’t play there – so I will be very proud.
“Wales are a tricky side to play against, we met them in the qualification games.
“We didn’t have many chances, they have a very compact unit and a great player up front.
“We will study them well.”
Possible line ups
Wales: Hennessey, Chester, Williams, Davies, Gunter, Allen, Ledley, Ramsey, Taylor, Bale, Vokes
Belgium: Courtois, Meunier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Ciman, Nainggolan, Witsel, Mertens, De Bruyne, Hazard, Lukaku
First goal scorer tips
Wales
Gareth Bale ($7 with Sportsbet.com.au)
We don’t really need to say much about the lightning fast, exquisitely skilled Bale. He is the driving force behind this team and a player every other nation is worried about. If he is on, Wales has a genuine chance of winning this game, as he has the ability to carve up the world’s best defences in a heartbeat.
Aaron Ramsey ($13 with Sportsbet.com.au)
The Arsenal gun was perhaps not at his effervescent best against Northern Ireland, although he did have a goal disallowed and has proven time and time again that he can be very dangerous in front of the net. Had his best game against the Russians, scoring in the 3-0 flogging and, along with Bale, has the ability to win this match off his own boot.
Belgium
Eden Hazard ($7 at Sportsbet.com.au)
Big defender Toby Alderweireld reckons Hazard is on the same level as Bale and it is hard to argue with that assertion after his displays at the Euros. It is inexplicable that such a good player could have performed so poorly in the Premier League last season. He is, pound for pound, the best player on a team full of stars and while you run the risk of him being unselfish and setting up his teammates, rather than shooing himself, you feel safe investing your money with someone that has so much class and poise.
Radja Nainggolan ($17 at Sportsbet.com.au)
Has made a name for himself at this year’s Euros with a stunning finish against Sweden that proved to be the winning goal. Has pace and stamina and the ability to score, having fired in three goals in his last six outings for Roma last season. Has the best hair in world football and a name to match and could well be the man to bob up first at great odds.
Match predictions
Match result: Belgium to win ($1.62 with Sportsbet.com.au)
Correct match score: Belgium to win 1-0 ($5.50 with Sportsbet.com.au)
Total match goals: Under 2.5 goals ($1.57 with Sportsbet.com.au)
If history is anything to go by – and it so often is in soccer – it well and truly backs up our claim that Wales will be no easy beats for Belgium. The two sides have met on the international stage 12 times, with Belgium holding just a narrow edge of five wins to four. In a pair of qualifiers for this tournament, the Welsh beat Belgium and the other game ended in a draw. The Red Devils will have to make a forced change too, with former Arsenal star Thomas Vermaelen suspended. In saying all this – and we know we have pumped up the Welsh tyres – Belgium will have the edge in class and should run away with a win.