Prediction, Odds & Betting tips for Spain vs. Italy at UEFA Nations League
Prediction, Odds & Betting tips for Spain vs. Italy at UEFA Nations League
This is a European football classic, between two nations who won both the World and the European championships in the past. While Italy missed the World Cup in Qatar, Spain performed poorly, disappointing its fans with an early exit. UEFA Nations League looks like a good opportunity for redemption, so both teams come into this battle with high spirits, intending to win.
Spain
The Red Fury is not in a good place. Their World Cup performances were below every level of play, and an exit to Morocco in the first round of the knockout stage was a massive shock for the Spanish football community. After that, Luis Enrique decided to leave the head coaching place, adding more problems to the already big pile.
The first game after that horror was at home against Norway, in the EURO qualifiers, where Luis de La Fuente’s unit beat the rivals, 3-0, not having the slightest problems in its game. However, another upset came this time in Scotland, where Red Fury lost to the hosts, 2-0.
The biggest problem this team has is the position of the striker because Alvaro Morata and the rest of the Spanish goalscorers simply aren’t elite players. Yes, they are stars, but they are far worse players than, for instance, Spain’s midfield.
Italy
The Italians watched the World Cup from home, comforting themselves that at least they won the EURO in England the year before. Italy had two friendly games before the tournament in Qatar, beating Albania on the road, 1-3, and losing to Austria, 2-0, also on the road.
Their start of the EURO qualifiers was not impressive at all. The first encounter was against England at home, and the Italians lost, 1-2, while the next was three days later in Malta, where Azzurri won, 0-2.
In neither of these events did Roberto Mancini’s crew look capable of competing with the top European units. Slow, sluggish performances were heavily blasted in the domestic media, which put pressure before the events in the Netherlands.
Spain possible starting lineup:
Simon; Carvajal, Laporte, Nacho, Alba; Gavi, Rodri, Ceballos; Asensio, Morata, Olmo
Italy possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Acerbi, Bonucci, Spinazzola; Barella, Verratti, Jorginho; Berardi, Retegui, Immobile
These two teams met for the last time in the 2021 UEFA Nations League semis, and Spain won 1-2. Prior to that event, we saw them playing at the 2021 EURO, where Italy eliminated Spain after penalties.
When it comes to efficiency, the last six games from 2016 until now, were all with two or three goals.
This is a tough game to predict, as both units prefer to play cautiously and without the intention to attack. They instead wait for the rival’s mistake to try to exploit it. That’s why under 2.5 goals look excellent here.
Our verdict: Under 2.5 goals