Italy vs Belgium: Match Preview, Odds & Prediction

On Thursday evening, Italy will host Belgium at the Stade Olimpico in a major Nations League match.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

Starting with the hosts, Italy may have arrived in Germany over the summer as a potential dark horse title contender, but the Azzurri endured a public horror. There were numerous uncertainties regarding Luciano Spalletti's future as they witnessed their European expedition conclude at the Round of 16 stage, as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland. Nevertheless, Italy has sprung out of the gates with aplomb since commencing their Nations League campaign last month, exhibiting no indications of fatigue. On September 6th, the hosts of Thursday's match began proceedings with a remarkable performance in Paris, where they stormed their way to a 3-1 victory over France. They have now secured back-to-back League A victories and will seek to acquire another heavyweight victim.

The Red Devils once again attempted to deceive on the central tournament stage, even though Belgium may have experienced a genuine EURO 24 qualifying triumph last year. In an almost identical situation to their opponents on Thursday, Domenico Tedesco's team suffered their own Round of 16 demise over the summer, as they were defeated 1-0 by France. Nevertheless, Belgium's Nations League journey began with a 3-1 victory over Israel on September 6th, but they promptly returned to reality. The former RB Leipzig manager has yet to witness his squad achieve consecutive competitive victories in the past year, as evidenced by their most recent 2-0 defeat to Les Blues in Paris. Belgium could face another challenging challenge in Italy, as they suffered a 2-1 loss during their most recent visit in October 2021.

Italy x Belgium Team News

Federico Chiesa, a former Juventus player, has been excluded from Italy's roster due to a recent injury, despite his recent arrival at Premier League champions Liverpool over the summer. Nevertheless, the Azzurri have given their first senior call-ups to Niccolo Pisilli and Daniel Maldini, both inexperienced players from Monza and Roma.

Matteo Gabbia has also been included, as he has had an impressive start to the new campaign with AC Milan. Ex-Everton loanee Moise Kean, who has scored six goals for his club and country this season, should be allowed to lead Italy's attack in Rome.

Manchester City talisman Kevin De Bruyne has not been included in Tedesco's squad due to a recent muscle injury. Romelu Lukaku will not be featured over the next week despite his promising start to life with Italian titans Roma following his summer transfer from Chelsea.

Tedesco, the former manager of RB Leipzig, has made a new selection of Malick Fofana, Cyril Ngonge, Matte Smets, and Maarten Vandevoordt to liven things up. Belgium's squad comprises Premier League-based players, including Youri Tielemans, Jermey Doku, and Leandro Trossard.

Our Predictions

Italy draws no bet @ 1.58 on Sky247.ng.

Italy initiated their Nations League journey with a historic 3-1 victory over France last month, and they have undoubtedly sprung out of the gate. The Azzurri will be enthusiastic about a dominant record against Thursday's visitors, as Belgium continues to exhibit some prolonged inconsistencies that have persisted since their EURO 24 horror over the summer. They have triumphed in all of their previous three encounters by an aggregate score of 6-2, including a 2-1 victory against Belgium in Turin during a Nations League match in October 2021.

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