Spain v Portugal Odds & Betting Prediction Euro 2012

Spain aim for third major final in a row

Silva - Fabregas (Spain)
Silva - Fabregas (Spain) © GEPA pictures

Online bookmaker Paddy Power have a Money Back Special running for Spain v Portugal betting, the first of the Euro 2012 semi finals. The match, played on Wednesday, will see the first team advance to the final itself. Spain lead the head to head against Iberian neighbours Portugal, and with a strong run of form behind them, the Spaniards will be favourites to advance. However, there is always the massive threat of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, the man Spain have to stop. The Real Madrid forward is coming into form just at the right time, having netted three goals in the last two matches. If Cristiano Ronaldo scores the last goal of the game, then online bookmaker Paddy Power will refund all losing First Goalscorer, Last Goalscorer, Correct Score and Scorecast single bets placed on the match. So plenty of coverage here, especially with Ronaldo being in great shape at the moment. Online bookmaker Paddy Power offer a free £50 bet for new customers registering an account, as they match the value of your first stake with a free bet!

Spain v Portugal Betting Odds at Paddy Power
Spain 19/20, Draw 23/10, Portugal 7/2

Spain do have an advantage in the head to head against Portugal, having won 15 and lost nine of their 37 previous meetings. The two sides last met in a competitive meeting at the 2010 World Cup, and a goal from David Silva was enough on that occasion to see the Spaniards through to the quarter finals. Vicente del Bosque’s men are now on an 18 match competitive streak without having tasted defeat and now the Spaniards are just one match away from making it to their third major tournament final in a row. More importantly that that however, is the fact that they are still in line to become the first ever nation to successfully defend the Henri Deaunay Cup (the European Championship). Spain eased their way past France in the quarter finals, with Alonso netting a brace in a match in which Spain looked very comfortable. Again, because of the Spanish possession game, France weren’t allowed to really get into the match, and Les Bleus rarely threatened Iker Casillas in the Spanish goal. So, with the feeling that Portugal don’t have a lot more to offer than France, people are looking for the Spaniards to get the job done.

Del Bosque admitted that his side have been a little tired, but they are able to compensate so well with their passive style of football. Just knocking it around in the midfield, means that they don’t have to work hard in chasing to get the ball back. It is that same possession game which really should set them up well in this semi final again. Their success has also been built on a very solid defence, and they have not conceded a goal in eight tournament knock-out matches now, and with their penchant for winning 1-0, then they seem as if they will be starting the match with an advantage. Even though Cesc Fabregas may be favoured instead of a recognised striker, their midfield heavy approach has actually worked in their favour, because opposing centre halves don’t have anyone in particular to mark, and it causes a lot of confusion and space for the Spaniards to capitalise on. There will of course be an air of caution, because Spain lost 4-0 to Portugal back in November of 2010 in a friendly match, which was La Roja’s heaviest defeat since 1963. But Spain have composure, they have an injection of pace to call upon from the bench, and will their possession game be enough to tire and wear down a resilient looking Portugal side.

Even though Cristiano Ronaldo is Portugal’s biggest star, the work that the rest of the squad has put in behind him has been commendable. Portugal edged their way past a disappointing Czech Republic in the quarter finals, so set up a big clash against their neighbours, Spain. The Portuguese may have caused a bit of a surprise in getting this far, because they didn’t win any of their first four matches of 2012, and only managed one goal in that period. However, they have rattled off three wins in a row now, taking down Denmark, Holland and the Czech Republic. There is a great air of organization in the Portugal side, and the coach Paulo Bento has picked the same starting eleven for the last six competitive matches now. It is that team understanding and unity which has helped them, and they have looked pretty solid through the middle of the park, and have been very competitive as well. They then look to unleash their big weapons, Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo to break quickly and strike down the opposition. Portugal go without Helder Postiga, who picked up an injury in the quarter finals.

Spain v Portugal Prediction: Portugal deserve the praise they have gotten, because they have looked solid and quite exciting when they take a positive approach to games. With Ronaldo, there is always a threat going forward and his pace could trouble the Spanish back line. However, do Portugal really have much more to offer than France? Spain dealt with France easily, and that pattern should continue for La Roja in the semi finals and they should edge it. A Spain -0.5 Asian Handicap for Evens at Paddy Power looks solid.