Wales vs Northern Ireland
Wales surprised everyone by topping their group, which also featured heavyweights England, and a tough to beat Slovakia side. Going into the tournament Wales were widely labeled as a one man team, whose fortunes will depend on the performance of star man Gareth Bale.
While Bale has fully lived up to those expectations and has led from the front, scoring 3 goals in 3 games, it would be very unfair to call Wales a one man team. Bale has been very ably supported by his team-mates, especially Aaron Ramsey, who has chipped in with 2 assists and a goal.
Wales were the joint top scorers in the group stages, alongside Hungary, with 6 goals and its hard to see their goal scoring spree coming to a halt against Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland were the last of the 3rd placed teams to qualify for the Round of 16, just piping Turkey on Goal Difference in the 3rd place table. It’s hard to express in words just how big an achievement this qualification is for Northern Ireland, whose squad features players mostly from the lower tiers of English Football.
Northern Ireland have been plucky and tough to break down, and even world champions Germany, renowned for their attack, could only score once against them.
Prediction – It will a game of contrasting tactics. Northern Ireland don’t offer much going forward, and will thus look to keep things tight at the back and frustrate Wales. Wales, on the other hand, have thrived based on their attacking mentality and will look to attack from the off.
Wales to win comfortably by 2 goals or more. Most likely scoreline, 2-0 for Wales.
