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MATCH THREAD: Semi Final - Portugal vs Wales - KO 20:00 (ITV)

Who will win?

  • Portugal

    Votes: 20 64.5%
  • Wales

    Votes: 11 35.5%

  • Total voters
    31
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Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey and defender Ben Davies both serve one-game bans.

Jonny Williams, Andy King or Dave Edwards could replace Ramsey.

James Collins may deputise for Davies or, alternatively, Jazz Richards could start at right wing-back, with Chris Gunter moving inside to play as one of Wales' three centre-backs.

Portugal will monitor defender Pepe, who trained separately on Tuesday because of a thigh problem.

William Carvalho is suspended so Danilo is expected to start as Portugal's holding midfielder.

Left-back Raphael Guerreiro and midfielder Andre Gomes missed the quarter-final against Poland with muscle problems, but both have returned to full training and should be available.

Coach Fernando Santos has also suggested that if he has any doubts over Pepe's fitness the Real Madrid man will not play.

"As for Pepe, you'll probably be tossing and turning in your beds tonight because I'm not going to answer," he said.

"I'll be sleeping quietly because I have other players who can play.

"If Pepe is 100%, I will think about it and he can start the game. If not, no problem. All the players must be 100% fit for such an important game."

This is unchartered territory for Wales, who head to Lyon for the first major semi-final in their history. Portugal, by contrast, boast far greater experience - although little of it is positive. This is the seventh time they have reached this stage at a World Cup or European Championship, but only once before have they advanced to the final - on home soil at Euro 2004.

Portugal have yet to win a game inside 90 minutes at Euro 2016 and have struggled to find attacking fluency. But their greater tournament nous has already seen them edge out Croatia and Poland, and the bookmakers make them favourites to once again play the role of party poopers on Wednesday.

Santos is content to see his side grind out results.

"I'm not worried about being the ugly duckling, I'm interested about getting to the final and winning it," he says.

"Would I like us to be pretty? Yes. But, in between being pretty and being at home, or being ugly and being here, I prefer to be ugly."

In contrast, Wales' impressive displays in France - especially the convincing win against Belgium - have delighted and surprised most neutrals. But the Welsh squad believe there is more to come and they're hoping to follow the recent pattern that has produced shock European Championship winners every 12 years.

"We've obviously exceeded a lot of people's expectations," says forward Gareth Bale.

"But we always believed we could go all the way - you see the fairytale of Greece [in 2004] and Denmark [in 1992] in the past and you think why can't we do it?"

Wales' success has caught some of Bale's team-mates unprepared - midfielder Joe Ledley has had to postpone his wedding on Saturday, while Chris Gunter won't be able to see his brother tie the knot on Thursday.

But there have been no such conflicts for Bale.

"I fully believed that we could do something, that is why I booked my holiday for the 11th [of July, the day after the final] - I am not like the others!" he said.
 

I reckon Portugal will win this just because there so bloody jammy. This will be a different challenge for Wales, an extremely negative Portuguese side who don't care if it goes to pens because they will have a experience advantage there if nothing else. I actually hope Wales do win and go on to lift the cup, but I'm unsure how they will cope with the negativity of Portugal who are the type of team that can get a result even while playing badly, as they've done all tournament.
 

Would hate Portugal to win but they'll snide their way through to the final...Ramsey will be a huge miss
 
I want Wales to win, and they definately can win, but I think Portugal will edge it

I think whoever wins this Semi Final wins the whole tournament to be honest

I think it's far more likely the other semi-final will produce the winner. Wales toughest opponent was Belgium and Portugal struggled in a group of Hungary/Iceland/Austria. Although they're not daft sides you have to be turning over teams like that to be any kind of a champion. Germany will do it I think.
 
I think people are underestimating Andy King as replacement for Ramsey. Really good player. Not quite Ramsey level of course but still.

Really fancy Wales to do it again tonight. Hope so too.
 

Seriously. blimey !!

Yup

Portugal scream Italy in the 82 World Cup

Unimpressive Group Stage but ride the goal scoring talents of a superstar player (Rossi for Italy, CR7 for Ronaldo) to eventually win the Cup

As for Wales, they are riding high on spirit and are playing well. Just two more wins and they've done it. They'll also have Ramsey back for the Final should they win here
 
Yup

Portugal scream Italy in the 82 World Cup

Unimpressive Group Stage but ride the goal scoring talents of a superstar player (Rossi for Italy, CR7 for Ronaldo) to eventually win the Cup

As for Wales, they are riding high on spirit and are playing well. Just two more wins and they've done it. They'll also have Ramsey back for the Final should they win here

Fair points, but I can't see past France or Germany myself !!
 

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