Marc Wilmots' men progressed to the last eight with a thumping 4-0 victory over Hungary in the round of 16 on Sunday, with Eden Hazard delivering one of the standout individual performances of the tournament up to now. Belgium got off to the worst possible start in France by losing 2-0 to Italy in their opening encounter, but they have got progressively stronger since then and currently look much closer to achieving their full potential than they have done at any other point in the last few years.
The Belgians have now recorded three consecutive clean sheets as well as three straight wins - beating the Republic of Ireland 3-0 and Sweden 1-0 before the aforementioned thrashing of Hungary - and look considerably stronger at the back, although it is too early to definitively state that they have overcome all of the problems that were rightly identified before the tournament began earlier this month. Indeed, Wilmots' tactical nous and in-game management have justifiably been flagged up as potential issues, while it is still difficult to shake the feeling that this Belgium outfit is more of a collection of individuals than a coherent, coordinated collective.
Wales secured their passage to the quarter-finals with a narrow 1-0 triumph over Northern Ireland at the Parc des Princes in Paris. It was, in truth, a rather unconvincing display from the European Championship debutants, who were second best in the first half and relied on an own goal to give them the lead after the break, but it is hard to begrudge Wales their place in the last eight - after all, they deserve it on the basis of their showings across all four matches to date.
Wales exceeded expectations in Group B, finishing in first place above England, Russia and Slovakia and playing well to varying extents in all of their first-stage matches, and will have no fear going into this quarter-final clash with one of the pre-tournament favourites to get their hands on the trophy at the Stade de France on 10 July.
Belgium and Wales are two sides who look more dangerous when breaking forward quickly on the counter-attack than when they have the ball and the opposition is set up in its defensive shape, which means this match is likely to be won by the team that transitions best from attack to defence and defence to attack when possession changes hands.
Taking everything into account, it is probably worth backing Belgium to come out on top on Friday; the Red Devils will have to keep Gareth Bale quiet, but if they can do that then they should have the quality in the final third to breach a Wales backline that has conceded three goals so far. A 3-1 Belgium victory - both teams will probably find the back of the net - looks to be the leading betting option for this one.
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