Belgium vs Italy Preview, Predictions, and Top Wagers Encounters Analysis, Forecasts, and Recommended Bets
Dobber it up! Belgium squares off against Italy in the UEFA Nations League, and things are heatin' up. The Red Devils sit on four points from four games, no stranger to conceding a couple of goals each game in their last three fixtures. On the flip side, Italy's currently on top of Group 2 in League A, boasting a ten-point lead.
Belgium Struggles and Triumphs
After going 15 unbeaten games, Belgium faced heartbreak in the Round of 16 at the Euros with a 1-0 loss to France. But they bounced back in their Nations League opener with a 3-1 win over Israel and generated impressive 3.53 xG in that encounter. Then, an uninspired performance led to a 2-0 loss against France before a 2-2 draw against Italy last week when the Red Devils played with an extra man for 52 minutes but managed only 0.95 xG. And despite Les Bleus being reduced to ten men in the 76th minute in their most recent match, Belgium still couldn't secure a win.
Bet Now! UEFA Nations League
Belgium will welcome back Amadou Onana, Matz Sels, and Romelu Lukaku for this game, but Kevin De Bruyne, Alexis Saelemaekers, Charles De Ketelaere, Jeremy Doku, and Thibaut Courtois are out due to injuries. Coach Domenico Tedesco is leaning on inexperienced players, like Chelsea's Romeo Lavia and Albert Sambi Lokonga, to fill the void.
The Red Devils are using this Nations League to experiment and reduce their dependency on star players like De Bruyne and Lukaku, even if a strong performance might be more important than the result itself.
Italy's Winning Streak
Like Belgium, Italy exited in the Round of 16 at the Euros, but they've started to gel in their Nations League campaign. They began with a 3-1 comeback win over France and followed that up with a 2-1 victory over Israel at a neutral venue, but later surrendered a 2-0 lead against Belgium. In their latest outing, Italy convincingly defeated Israel 4-1, generating an impressive 2.77 xG compared to just 0.26 for their opponents.
Luciano Spalletti has left out Jorginho again, but Nicolo Barella will return to the squad for the first time since the Euros. Moise Kean is fit and included among the forward options, while Federico Chiesa and Gianluca Scamacca are sidelined with injuries, and Riccardo Calafiori is missing from the defense. Four uncapped players, including Lazio's Nicolò Rovella and Leicester City's Caleb Okoli, have been called up.
Italy is highly motivated and confident, viewing the Nations League as an opportunity to win, and their possession-based approach should aim to control the game in Brussels.
Key Stats
- Belgium has lost 6 of their last 12 Nations League matches.
- Belgium has lost 4 of their last 8 games (after going 15 unbeaten).
- Belgium's Romelu Lukaku has scored 85 goals in 119 appearances for his country.
- Italy has won 3 of their last 4 games.
- Italy has won 5 of their last 7 encounters with Belgium.
So buckle up, Italia-Belgium's gonna be a wild ride! With an unpredictable match ahead, you can't go wrong with Both Teams to Score (Yes) as your best bet, given the attacking style of both teams. If you're feelin' froggy, consider a Handicap Bet with Belgium +2.00 or an Over/Under Goals wager depending on the numbers. And hey, don't forget to keep an eye on Romelu Lukaku to score anytime!
Stay tuned for more insights from James O'Connor, a football analyst focusing on the PSL and English Premier League. Twitter: @footy_analysis
- Belgium's recent form in Nations League fixtures has been inconsistent, with a string of losses, including their 2-0 defeat against France and a draw against Italy despite playing an additional man.
- In the upcoming match against Italy, Belgium will be missing several key players due to injuries, including Kevin De Bruyne, Alexis Saelemaekers, Charles De Ketelaere, Jeremy Doku, and Thibaut Courtois.
- Italy, who also exited in the Round of 16 at the Euros, have been on a winning streak in their Nations League campaign and will be looking to capitalize on their possession-based approach in Brussels.
- Romelu Lukaku, Belgium's proficient striker, has scored 85 goals in 119 appearances for his country and remains a key player to watch in this highly anticipated match-up.
- With an unpredictable match ahead, a best bet for this fixture might be "Both Teams to Score (Yes)", given the attacking style of both Italy and Belgium. If one is feeling more adventurous, a Handicap Bet with Belgium +2.00 or an Over/Under Goals wager could also be considered.
