Twenty-four teams have become eight, and just three games stand in the way of the remaining nations and the Euro 2016 crown. Quite frankly, things are about to get tasty, and we wouldn’t miss it for the world.
The quarter-final stages should provide plenty of drama, and there’s one game to feast our eyes on each of the four nights. We’ll be hoping to capitalise with some winning selections, starting with the action on Thursday and Friday.
Let’s hope we can bank some tidy profit just in time for the weekend. Come on!
Matches: Poland v Portugal (Thursday. 9PM. ITV); Wales v Belgium (Friday. 9PM. BBC)
England inexplicably joined both Irish sides in dropping out at the last 16 phase, but Wales remain and are through to the quarter-finals of their first tournament in 58 years. And Chris Coleman’s men will be quietly optimistic against a Belgium side that they took four points from in qualifying.
Wales actually kept two clean sheets against the Red Devils en route to France, a feat they’ve managed in each of their past two wins over Russia and Northern Ireland too. Nonetheless, Marc Wilmots seems to have finally found his best XI and if Eden Hazard and co run riot like they did against Hungary, even the might of Gareth Bale won’t be enough to stop the world’s second ranked team.
Before Friday’s clash, though, the last eight action begins with Portugal’s clash against Poland. Both sides have had their weaknesses in France, but one of them will be heading to the last four. Will Cristiano Ronaldo frag his nation to the semis or will Robert Lewandowski finally come to life for the Poles. Either way it should be a classic.
All four nations left in this top half of the draw will quietly fancy their chances of reaching the final. For that reason alone, it should be a thrilling two days of action in France. Let’s hope we can land some profit too.
Toe Punter v The Bookies
The opening quarter-final could easily go either way, but after both nations were taken beyond 90 minutes last time out, we think there will be a winner.
Experience on the big stage could prove vital, which is why we’re edging towards a Portugal win. If that does happen, Ronaldo will surely have a big say. Unfortunately, this bet hasn’t done too well so far. But we know if we leave it, he’ll score first. At 7/2, we still consider it as value.
Bet: Cristiano Ronaldo to score @ 7/2 with Paddy Power (£10 stake)
Wales head into their biggest ever encounter full of confidence, but Belgium tore Hungary apart once they found the breakthrough. Despite the Welsh’s qualifying successes, we think a similar story will develop here.
Belgium are unlikely to score four, but we wouldn’t be at all surprised if they win by a couple of goals. We’ve yet to see how Wales react to going behind, other than in injury time. When taking the occasion into account too, it could be too much. We’ll be giving ourselves the safety net of a refund, but do think the Red Devils will seal their place in the last four with a cushion.
Bet: Belgium -1 Asian handicap @ 22/15 with BetVictor (£10 stake)
