AUTHOR: Star Sports Content

STAR PREVIEW: Portugal v Wales (Euro 2016 Wednesday)

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ales have been an inspiration to watch in the Euros and whilst the heart wants them to beat Portugal to reach the finals – my head says, like Iceland, this could be one bridge too far.

If Wales could have hand-picked their opponents for the semi-finals then surely Portugal would have been the first choice over Germany and France?

Portugal have still to win a match in normal time – astonishing to think they COULD lift the Trophy without winning a single game in normal time !!!!

Coach Fernando Santos said: “I’m not worried about being the ugly duckling, I’m interested about getting to the final and winning it. Would I like us to be pretty? Yes. But, in between being pretty and being at home, or being ugly and being here, I prefer to be ugly.”

Many will favour the DRAW tonight but there is also the lingering thought that Portugal might, at last, be able to raise their game – whereas (possibly) Wales may have already peaked with that superb performance against Belgium in the quarter-finals.

The two sides have never met competitively – they did play a friendly 16 years ago with Portugal winning 3-0.

The biggest problem facing Wales tonight is probably more of their own doing. Both midfielder Aaron Ramsey and defender Ben Davies will miss the game having picked up yellow cards and one-game bans.

Portugal have doubts over defender Pepe who is recovering from a thigh injury.

Portugal v Wales
UEFA EURO 2016 Semi-Final
20:00 ITV / ITV HD / S4C / S4C HD

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches)
Jun 2000 INTERNATIONAL Portugal 3-0 Wales

Sorry to go with the head rather that the heart but Portugal to be leading at both half time and full time makes plenty of appeal at around 5/2 with Star Sports.

RECOMMENDED BETS (scale of 1-100 points)

BACK PORTUGAL/PORTUGAL HT/FT 45 points at 5/2 with Star Sports

Euro 2016 Profit/Loss: -14 points

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