Portugal vs. Wales Betting Odds Preview, Euro 2016 Semifinal Prediction

The new darling of Euro 2016 will try to punch its ticket to Sunday’s final when Wales meets Portugal in the first semifinal matchup in Lyon, France, on Wednesday.

The Welsh upset heavily favored Belgium, 3-1, in the quarters last Friday and have replaced Iceland as the underdogs of the tournament. They are listed as +320 dogs (bet $100 to win $320) versus the Portuguese at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark.

Match Odds: Portugal +115, Wales +320, Draw +210 (Matchup Report)

Group B winner Wales is coming off its most impressive victory of the tournament and looks to play spoiler here facing a Portugal team that has been underwhelming so far. The Welsh have allowed only one goal in the knockout stage, with the Belgians scoring only once in the 13th minute before they surrendered three unanswered in their surprising quarterfinal loss.

Goals by Ashley Williams, Hal Robson-Kanu and Sam Vokes helped knock out Belgium and put Wales just one win away from playing for the championship in its first-ever Euro appearance.

The Portuguese edged Poland, 5-3, on penalty kicks last Thursday after they were tied, 1-1, following extra time. They had blanked Croatia, 1-0, after extra time in the round of 16 and have managed to score more than one goal one time in the entire tourney.

That happened in their Group F finale against Hungary, which resulted in a 3-3 draw. Portugal had three draws in group play and got two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo versus the Hungarians.

Ronaldo also tallied the first score on penalty kicks against the Poles, and he is hoping to play in the title game for the second time in his career. The 31-year-old striker was on the runner-up squad that hosted Euro 2004 at the age of 19.

He can accomplish something not even the great Lionel Messi of Argentina could do with two more wins: earn a championship for his home country. Messi’s team was bounced by Chile for the second straight year in the final of the Copa America on June 26.

Ronaldo will be playing in the semis for the second consecutive time, falling 4-2 on penalty kicks to eventual champion Spain in 2012. He led the Portuguese with three goals in that tournament and has two heading into the semis this time around.

Unfortunately for Wales, it will be without midfielder Aaron Ramsey and left back Ben Davies due to suspensions for two yellow cards. Those losses could be just enough to keep the Welsh, last on the odds to win Euro 2016, from pulling off another upset here in what should be another tight match.

Look for Ronaldo to get the opportunity to play for the title again as Portugal wins another low-scoring affair. 

Portugal vs. Wales Prediction: 1-0 Portugal

All betting lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. Check out the latest Euro 2016 news.