Portugal and Wales go face to face on Wednesday night in Lyon in the first Semi Final of the Euros. Wales go into the crucial match in better form having won 4 out of 5 of their last games whereas Portugal have struggled and narrowly scraped through to the tie despite not yet winning a match in 90 minutes !
Wales will be without star man Ramsey who picked up an unnecessary booking against Belgium, this is sure to be a huge loss for Wales since Ramsey is undoubtedly their most creative player with 4 assists to his name, (more than anyone else in the tournament). However fortune favours Wales in the fact that William Carvalho, Portugal's defensive midfielder is suspended and Pepe, the first choice centre half has not been taking part in full training with a muscle strain. Should the 33 year old miss out, the 38 year old veteran Ricardo Carvalho will take his place alongside Southampton's Fonte in defence. Whilst full of experience Carvalho is certainly lacking in the pace department, something Bale will look to punish with his unforgiving speed.
From one Real Madrid talisman to the other, Cristiano Ronaldo makes out a frustrated figure at the Euros. The 31 year old has endured a dreadful tournament thus far, one consisting of fluffed chances, wasteful free kicks and lots of complaining. However Ronaldo is undeniably a world class player who possesses at times unstoppable movement, expect him to have a heavy influence on the game despite his current torrid run of form. Wales will be hoping that their 5 at the back formation will prevent the forward's impact on the game with Williams, Collins and Chester surrounding him at all opportunities. Portugal are not a one man team, Nani has impressed with wicked balls into the box whilst the explosive midfielder that is Renato Sanches is valued at £29 million thanks to his immense physicality and fierce long shots. These players are certainly ones to watch ! Bale will be pushing for the golden boot at the other end, with 3 goals to his name the former Southampton and Tottenham man is Chris Coleman's biggest threat to a shaky defence who failed to keep clean sheets aginst mediocre Iceland and Hungary.
3-2 Wales victory in extra time.
Predicted line ups :
Wales : 5-3-2 : Hennessey - Taylor, Collins, Williams, Chester, Gunter - Allen, Ledley, King - Bale, Robsun Kanu
Portugal : 4-1-3-2 : Patricio - Cedric, Fonte, Carvalho (Pepe if recovers), Eliseu- Danilo (in for William Carvalho)- Joao Mario, Renato Sanches, Moutinho - Nani, Ronaldo
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