Wales v Belgium Betting Preview – Euro 2016, 1st July
Belgium, after having looked so decidedly average and uninspired through the large part of their group stage campaign, exploded into life in the round of sixteen as they put four goals past Hungary. That made the rest of the remaining nations sit up and take notice, that being the second game of the tournament in which they have scored at least three goals. So Wales, the last Home Nation left standing in the tournament, are the next to face them. Wales took four points from their two Euro 2016 qualifying games against Belgium, can they better them again?
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Wales v Belgium Betting Tips
Wales, one of the smaller nations to compete at Euro 2016, have positioned themselves with a shot at the semi finals of the competition. After edging their way past Northern Ireland in the last round, they now take on Belgium for a place in the final four. These two were paired together during Euro 2016 qualification and the Welsh took four of a possible six points from the Red Devils, landings 1-0 home victory against them. So an impressive return and it mean that they are now unbeaten in their last three games against Belgium, which has to count for something. The Welsh have scored in each of their four Euro 2016 games so far (albeit an own goal from Northern Ireland) so it could be worth a flutter on both teams to score in this one which will fetch you a quote of 6/5. Going into the tournament, the Welsh weren’t in any kind of form but have now won three of their last four played, only getting beaten by a last minute goal by England in the group stage.
So Wales have every reason to dream and every reason to have their tails up here. The Welsh play with heart and courage and while they go into the game as underdogs, they will scrap it out and look to defy that label. The game against Northern Ireland was strange from them because they were the ones who were controlling possession in the game, not something that they are familiar with. It wasn’t something which suited them, because they couldn’t crack the defensive minded Irish. But they did produce one high moment of quality which led to the goal, but overall had only one shot on target in the entire game. Belgium will have possession in this quarter final tie which will suit Wales in being able to catch them on the break. Defending is the Welsh strength. Gareth Bale is a quote of 2/1 in the anytime goalscorer market with the impressive Aaron Ramsey at 5/1.
So Belgium couldn’t figure out how to break the Welsh defence during their two Euro 2016 qualifying games against them. Will they figure it out in the quarter finals of the actual tournament? Belgium impressively put a 4-0 win on the board over Hungary in the last round and they looked good in doing so. With their 3-0 win over Ireland in the group stage, that is two of their four games in which they have scored three or more goals in. That’s Belgium at their best, but they looked average in their other two games, a loss against Italy and a late 1-0 win over Sweden. Eden Hazard is coming into form and he, along with a host of other Belgian players are 2/1 in the anytime goalscorer market with Romelu Lukaku at 5/4 at the head of the market. Under 2.5 goals is the way to go at a quote of 4/7 because the last four Wales v Belgium meetings have swung that way. Belgium have scored just one goal in their last three against Wales.
Wales v Belgium Betting Odds
Belgium 8/11, Draw 27/10, Wales 19/4
Wales v Belgium Predictions
The Dragons will be up for this and the game should suit them better than the match up against Northern Ireland did. We’ll likely see the Welsh back to their best and they can cause Belgium some problems as they did in qualifying. Belgium should be in top confidence after their win in the last round, but they can be hit and miss in terms of performance. Belgium clearly have the better attacking options in this one but it may be worth a flutter on a 90 minute draw. The longer Wales keep them shut out, the more Belgium are likely to actually fade.
