Belgium will take on dark horse Wales in the second quarterfinal of the Euro 2016 on Friday night. Belgium starts as hot favorites, as the Wales’ eye, to pull off an upset win at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille.
Belgium strolled past Hungary in the round of 16 with a big margin victory. Thomas Vermaelen will miss the tie due to a suspension. On the other hand, there was a row over Wales’ skipper Ashley Williams’ fitness, but the centre-back is ready to be on the pitch for the matchup. Williams sustained a shoulder injury during the team’s second-round win against neighbors North Ireland.
Wales denied England the top spot in the group stage. Belgium rode on a late goal from Radja Nainggolan to edge past Sweden to win their group.
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Gareth Bale Vs Eden Hazard
Gareth Bale’s brilliance will be challenged by Eden Hazard on the turf on Friday night. Bale notched up the winner in this matchup last year on the same ground in Lille. Chelsea forward Hazard is in fine touch in this tournament and appears to have recovered from the leg injury.
Bale has three goals under his belt in Euro 2016 and Wales’ hope of reaching the last four rests on him. Belgium, on the other side, is currently No. 2 in the FIFA rankings and the odds favoring them to win is 3/4.
Belgium has failed to beat Wales in the last three meetings. Wales managed to pull off a draw in both the World Cup qualifiers.
Hazard feels Lille is the place where he escalated to stardom.
Hazard: "Lille is where everything started for me. It is the city where I first became a pro." #WALBEL #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/ozB2jzU1OZ
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) July 1, 2016
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The projected lineups and formations of both teams are given below, according to the Telegraph.uk.
Wales possible starting XI: Hennessey, Chester, Williams, Davies, Gunter, Allen, Ledley, Ramsey, Taylor, Bale, Vokes
Belgium possible starting XI: Courtois, Meunier, Alderweireld, Denayer, Vertonghen, Nainggolan, Witsel, Mertens, De Bruyne, Hazard, Lukaku.
Photo Courtesy: UEFA EURO@UEFAEURO/Twitter
