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Euro 2016 Semifinals Experts Picks
Wales vs. Portugal
| Expert | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Marcus Kwesi O’Mard, NESN | Wales, 2-1 (after extra-time) |
| Jason Le Miere, IBTimes | Portugal, 1-0 |
| Paul Merson, Sky Sports | Wales, 2-1 |
| Mark Lawrenson, BBC | 1-1 (Wales on penalties) |
Of the four experts from various outlets who gave out their predictions, Wales came out on top, 3-1. That’s a bit surprising, particularly because the Welsh will be without one of their key offensive weapons, Aaron Ramsey. But as Paul Merson of Sky Sports notes, that could be canceled out by the possible absence of Portugal’s excellent center-back Pepe.
Merson is the only one who unequivocally went with a team winning in 90 minutes. He went with Wales to beat Portugal, which has yet to actually win a game in the tournament within 90 minutes.
The IBTimes’ Jason Le Miere offers the lone dissenting opinion. He thinks Portugal ekes out another 1-0 win, possibly after extra-time once again. Portugal, which has gone past 90 minutes in its last two matches, is priced at +900 to win in extra-time.
He sees Portugal’s superior depth of attacking talent – with Cristiano Ronaldo (+250 to score the first goal), Nani and Ricardo Quaresma – and manager Fernando Santos’ tactical shrewdness, as the factors which will likely take the Portuguese back to the final of the European Championship. Portugal is the -190 favorite to advance to the final.
France vs. Germany
| Expert | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Marcus Kwesi O’Mard, NESN | Germany |
| Jason Le Miere, IBTimes | France, 2-1 |
| Paul Merson, Sky Sports | Germany, 2-1 |
| Mark Lawrenson, BBC | France, 2-0 |
The four experts are split 2-2 as to who will win in the France vs. Germany semifinal, and it’s hard to blame them. The Germans have arguably been the better team in the tournament, but with suspension and injuries robbing them of some key players, the pendulum might have now swung in the French’s favor. France has the slight edge at -120 to advance to the final.
The hosts are coming off an outstanding 5-2 win in the quarterfinals over Iceland. The BBC’s Mark Lawrenson believes France’s Olivier Giroud, Dimitri Payet, and Antoine Griezmann – the tournament’s leading scorer with four goals and +600 to score the first goal – are the types of match-winners Germany lacks. German striker Thomas Muller has been a disappointment in the tournament, and is still without a goal at the Euros.
Merson agrees that France looked good against Iceland, but still feels that Germany is better, suspension and injuries and all. He predicts the Germans to take it in 90 minutes. But with a game between two very evenly-matched teams, don’t rule out penalties, which obviously favors the Germans. Germany has now won six-straight shootouts after beating Italy, and is priced at +900 to make it seven in the semis.
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