Euro 2016 betting: Fairytale Wales can book their trip to the ball
It wouldn't be an understatement to call Wales’ run to the Euro 2016 semi-final one of the biggest turnarounds in sporting history.
The Dragons were ranked 117th in the world in August 2011, with a side devoid of belief, quality and inspiration. They now stand on the brink of a major tournament final.
If they make it, they will be the first British side to reach one in 50 years.
Since his appointment in January 2012, Chris Coleman has put together a side who’ve shown they are capable of matching any in Europe.
Their 3-1 victory over Belgium in the quarter-final, where they came from behind to shock their well-fancied opponents is just the latest in a growing list of scalps taken by Coleman’s men.
Standing between Wales and a place in the Euro 2016 final is a Portugal team who find themselves in a semi-final, despite not winning a match in normal time during the tournament.
Three draws in the group stage were followed up by an extra-time win over Croatia, and a penalty shootout victory over Poland in the quarter-final.
Brief flashes of inspiration from Cristiano Ronaldo and Renato Sanches aside, the Portuguese have looked pretty ordinary so far, and have hardly set the tournament alight.
However, they are still semi-finalists, which is more than can be said for Spain, Italy and England. Any side with Ronaldo in it should be respected, too.
He goes up against Real Madrid teammate Gareth Bale as the two talismen look to ignite their respective sides. I fancy this Wales team to continue their Cinderella story.
Wales are 3/1 to win in 90 minutes with Betway, which I will be backing.
Betway also offer money-back on losing bets if the match goes to a penalty shootout.
The Dragons have won four out of five matches at the tournament so far, and are playing with an attacking swagger that Portugal haven’t come close to yet.
They are a team chock full of confidence, and goals for Hal Robson-Kanu and Sam Vokes against Belgium show they can still perform even if Bale has an off-day, something that can’t be said about Portugal and Ronaldo.
Portugal’s 1-0 and 1-1 scorelines in their knockout games show they’ll want it to be tight and tense.
That leads me to suggest selling total goals at 2.05 with Sporting Index.
Pointers:
Wales to win 3/1 (Betway)
Sell total goals 2.05 (Sporting Index)
Louis Oosthuizen e/w 50/1 with Betway
Rickie Fowler e/w 33/1 with Betway