Portugal vs. Spain Preview

Wednesday night’s game in Donetsk sees and Iberian derby, as holders Spain meet Portugal in the first Euro 2012 semi-final. Victory for the Spanish would ensure a third straight tournament final, whilst a win for Portugal would give them their second final appearance in the last three European Championships, having lost out on winning the trophy to Greece in 2004.

Vincente Del Bosque’s men defeated France in their semi-final on Saturday evening, with midfielder Xabi Alonso getting both goals in a 2-0 victory. The Real Madrid man has now joined fellow countrymen Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres on to tournament goals, with the latter most likely of the three to win the Golden Boot at 8.0 (7/1) with William Hill.

Spain are odds on favourites to win the match, with Bet Victor offering odds of 1.95 (20/21), whilst Portugal can be backed at 4.5 (7/2) with most bookmakers. The draw is around 3.4 (12/5).

Portugal beat Czech Republic in the first semi-final on Thursday, with Cristiano Ronaldo grabbing the only goal in the second half. Ronaldo, who has been the stand out player in his side’s last two games, is now favourite to be crowned player of the tournament , with Stan James offering odds of 5.0 (4/1).

Of the players still in the tournament, he and Mario Gomez of Germany are currently the tournaments leading goal scorers with three each, and you can get odds of 3.0 (2/1)for Portugal’s captain to finish on top of the chart.

Portugal ran out 4-0 winners the last time these sides met, in a friendly in 2010; the result being Spain’s biggest defeat in sixty years. Competitively, Spain knocked Portugal in the last sixteen of the World Cup in 2010, whist it was Spain who went home early when they clashed in the group stages at Euro 2004.

Those looking for value might be interested in the 17.0 (16/1) available for Portugal to win the match in extra time, whilst Spain are 10.0 (9/1) to do the same. You can back either named side at odds of 12.0 (11/1) to win the game on penalties.

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