Opportunity was always knocking for Wales and Belgium once they reached the knockout rounds of Euro 2016. Both teams cleared their first group stage hurdle, and all both could ask for was a matchup against another somewhat suspect foe in the last eight to have a legitimate shot to reach the semifinals of the European championships.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Wales +480
Belgium -150
Draw +240
Over/Under 2 (over -125)
ODDS ANALYSIS
Considering the fact that the Belgians finished second in their group behind Italy, they really have gotten a gift here. They were easily odds-on favorites to dismiss Hungary, and they're odds-on choices again to get rid of Wales. The price on their head is -150, and if they don't end up getting through to the semifinals, it will be considered a huge disappointment.
The total in this match is set at just 2 with -125 vig on the over.
TOURNAMENT UPDATE
Now that's more like it.
Belgium ran absolutely rampant on hapless Hungary on Sunday in Toulouse in a match which was never in doubt. Toby Alderweireld opened up the scoring on just 10 minutes, and though it took a while to crack the Magyars from there, the Red Devils finally closed the door with Michy Batshuayi, Eden Hazard and Yannick Carrasco putting the finishing touches on an impressive 4-0 victory.
Wales took the harder route into the last eight, but it was always deserving of getting through past Northern Ireland for our money. The Green and White Army was tightly packed in defense all night long, but it was that defense which conceded an own goal that saw them out. The Welsh capitalized on a fantastic cross by Gareth Bale that was always destined for the back of the net regardless as to whether it was Gareth McAuley who hit it in for Northern Ireland or the crossing attacker for Wales.
LIVE BETTING
The real question we have is whether Belgium is finally going to look like Belgium in the midfield or not. The Red Devils finally asserted themselves against Hungary and truly took it to them for the full 90 minutes and were deserving of that fantastic result.
Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel in particular were very good on this day, and though Romelu Lukaku didn't get his name on the scoring sheet, he played a pivotal role with all of his size and strength as well in the center of the attack.
Wales just doesn't have that same sort of size in the midfield, and this is where it can get overwhelmed if it isn't care. Bale might be one of the best attackers on the planet, but he's only going to be as good as the team around him if no one can get him the ball. The best way to slow down Bale in this tournament we feel is to not let him get his foot to the ball in dangerous areas. If the Belgians can do that, they're destined for a clean sheet.
QUICK PICK
We haven't spoken about Thibaut Courtois yet in this article, but he's been very good since that Italy match as well, and he could be an X-Factor, too. Bale figures to only get a couple chances one way or the other, and if Courtois is equal to the challenge, that could be the difference as well.
In the end, the Belgians have been handed a gift. They're playing well at the right time, and though their path to get into the Euro 2016 semis wasn't littered with massive teams as the rest of the clubs at the bottom of the bracket are finding out, they won't mind the break at all. Nor will they make a mistake here against a Wales team which has been a great story thus far in France.
Euro 2016 Odds: Belgium 2, Wales 0
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