Belgium v Portugal Betting: Back Ronaldo and Romelu to find the net in Seville

Four Round of 16 games take place over the course of this weekend with the final match of the quartet taking place in Seville at 8pm on Sunday, with Belgium facing Portugal. On paper this looks like an absolute belter and here at BettingOdds.com we’ve picked out a bet for the game which has been given a boost by those good folk over at Paddy Power.

Having a look at the prices to qualify for the quarter-finals and it’s Roberto Martinez’s side who are the favourites, priced at 3/4 with most firms, an implied probability of 57%. Portugal can be backed at odds-against to progress beyond the Round of 16 and overcome Belgium at 11/10 with William Hill. 

Only the Netherlands have scored more goals at this summer’s tournament than Belgium and Portugal who both have found the net seven times. It’s two of the big names who we’re backing on Sunday and we’re getting behind both Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku to score at 6/1 and here’s why.

The record is in reach for Ronaldo 

After scoring two goals against France on Wednesday evening Cristiano Ronaldo equalled the record for the most goals scored in international football. The record has been held by Ali Daei who scored 109 goals for Iran, retiring in 2006. It’s a case of ‘when’ not ‘if’ Ronaldo will break the record and the game against Belgium looks the perfect time to do so with the world watching.

With five goals to his name at Euro 2021, Ronaldo has scored more goals than 75% of the teams at the tournament. A remarkable stat from a remarkable player who is rewriting history and is, quite simply, a joy to watch. 

Three of Ronaldo’s five goals have come via the penalty spot and he has the highest xG total of any player currently at the Euros with 4.58. That’s an impressive 1.48xG per game and with no player having hit the target more times than the 36-year-old we’re happy to have him onside to score as part of our 6/1 double for the game. 

The Belgian Scoring Genius 

Romelu Lukaku was priced at just 7/1 to be the top goalscorer at Euro 2021 before a ball was kicked and was tipped by many to light up the tournament after a title-winning season with Inter Milan. It’s been a solid start so far for ‘Big Rom’ who has three goals to name, with only that man Cristiano Ronaldo having scored more with five.

The former Manchester United and Everton man scored 30 goals in all competitions for Inter last season and his clinical nature has been on show so far with his three goals at the tournament coming from just seven shots. For this reason we’re leaning towards backing him in the anytime score market rather than the shots market.

Lukaku has scored almost twice as many goals as any other player in history for Belgium with over 60 and with the Red Devils having won 23 of the last 26 meaningful matches we expect them to have a real go at Portugal. Kevin De Bruyne’s ability to pick a pass is well known and after providing an assist for Lukaku against Finland it would be no surprise to see the pair link up again on Sunday.

The Bet

Having a look around at a few prices for the double with both Ronaldo and Lukaku scoring and BetVictor are a rather disappointing 17/5. Bet365 are a little better at 5/1, but we think the boosted price of 6/1 from Paddy Power looks attractive considering we have two of the top scorers in the tournament involved.

The pair have eight goals between them at the Euros and with Ronaldo on the cusp of breaking Ali Daei’s record, and Lukaku having been in fine form last season, we’re happy to back the 6/1 about them both finding the net.

Sunday evening’s game can be seen live on ITV1 at 8pm, best of luck to those having a punt on the game and please always gamble responsibly.