Euro 2012 Semi Final – Spain v Portugal – Ronaldo Has His Work Cut Out Against The World Champs

Kick Off: Wednesday 27th June
Live on BBC1 7.45pm

Can Ronaldo and co stop the Spanish machine in its pursuit for a record 3rd successive major Championship title?

In yet another blockbuster of a game of which this tournament has served up plenty already, the Portuguese will look to upset the odds with the aid of their talismanic hero, CR7.

A game that the neutrals will be eager to watch and enjoy may prove to be a rather tense affair, with both sides wary of their opponents’ attacking threats.

For Spain, they know the importance of keeping Ronaldo at bay is paramount to their chances of progression but will seek comfort from the fact they kept his Real Madrid strike partner, Benzema, at bay last time out.

For Portugal, the threat could come from absolutely anywhere on the field, even Xabi Alonso helped himself to 2 against France, his first goals for his country in 4 years!

Reports suggest they may ditch their infamous phantom forward 4-6-0 formation, with rumours circulating that Torres and/or Pedro could be handed a starting role at the Donbass Arena.

However they line up, the Spanish will keep the ball impeccably as they always do and Portugal will know they will have to work with limited opportunities.

The bookmakers are predicting a Spanish win by making them odds-on favourites at 10/11 with Ladbrokes, who offer 10/3 for Portugal and 9/4 the draw in 90 minutes.

Ladbrokes Match Odds
Spain 10/11
Draw 9/4
Portugal 10/3

Portugal have only kept one clean sheet this summer to date, against a highly unadventurous Czech Republic and I can’t see them keeping this impressive Spain side at bay, so 10/11 for the win should be lapped up.

However, Spain have won 3 of their 4 games to nil and the 7/4 for them to repeat the feat in the Semi Finals doesn’t seem like the worst price in the world to me, and represents better value than the 6/5 for a Spain clean sheet or the 4/6 for both teams not to score, which are all outcomes I would predict to happen.