Italy vs France Preview, Forecast, and Top Wagers: Analyzing the Clash for Potential Profits
Chit-Chat Guide: Italy vs France 🇮🇹🇫🇷
The storied football nations of Italy and France collide in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday! These rivals last met in September, with Italy snatching a historic 3-1 victory in Paris - their first win in the city in 70 years! Both teams have already qualified for the next round, but a draw for France would secure top spot.
Azzurri's Rise
Italy has bounced back impressively from their Euro 2021 round-of-16 exit. In the Nations League, they boast four wins and a draw from five matches. Their campaign began with a 3-1 comeback victory over France, followed by a 2-1 "away" triumph against Israel. Despite playing with ten men for 50 minutes, Italy surrendered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Belgium. They then claimed a dominant 4-1 victory over Israel (producing 2.77 xG) and secured a fine 1-0 win in Belgium on Thursday night, creating 2.48 xG while conceding just 0.52 xG.
France's Form
France's 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro semi-finals was just their second loss in 15 matches. They opened their Nations League campaign with a 3-1 home loss to Italy but rebounded with a 2-0 victory over Belgium, during which they registered 25 shots and conceded just 0.56 xG. Subsequent wins included a 4-1 triumph over Israel in Budapest and a 2-1 victory in Belgium, though they allowed 2.69 xG and 20 shots in the latter match. On Thursday, France struggled to convert opportunities, drawing 0-0 at home against Israel despite creating six big chances from 24 shots.
Team News & Motivations
Italy is building a rejuvenated side under Luciano Spalletti, with Jorginho seemingly no longer in his plans. Unfortunately, several key players, including Federico Chiesa, Gianluca Scamacca, and defender Riccardo Calafiori, are missing for this FIFA break. Rotation is possible for this match. Moise Kean could feature in the starting XI to freshen up the attack, while Destiny Udogie and Manuel Locatelli are strong options if further changes are needed.
France's lineup will take a hit with the absence of Kylian Mbappe due to a reported fallout with the coach. Eduardo Camavinga is suspended, Aurelien Tchouameni is not selected, and Ousmane Dembele is sidelined with an injury. Randal Kolo Muani is likely to lead the line, with Warren Zaire-Emery providing support. If changes are needed, Christopher Nkunku, Kingsley Coman, and Marcus Thuram are viable attacking options. Despite the injuries and player issues, France is expected to field a strong team for this crucial fixture.
Confidence is high under Spalletti, with the players beginning to embrace his tactical ideas. While Italy has already qualified, they will aim to secure the top spot with at least a draw. Didier Deschamps' approach tends to be cautious against strong opponents, and this match is expected to follow suit. France is struggling for confidence in attack, with the absences of Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann significantly affecting their threat. A 0-0 draw could be an acceptable outcome for Les Bleus.
Stats & Odds
Italy has won 4 of their last 5 matches. Italy won their last match against France (but lost the previous 3, all featuring BTTS). France has lost 2 of their last 6 matches (after losing just 2 of the prior 18). France has scored 8 goals in their last 4 matches (compared to 5 goals in the 8 matches before that). France has kept 8 clean sheets in their last 12 matches.
Best Bet: Italy to win at 2.70Alternate Bet: Under 2.5 goalsCorrect Score Tip: Italy 1-0 France
Stay tuned for further updates on this exciting matchup!
Editor's Note:This article is a creative reinterpretation of the original one, integrating relevant insights while maintaining an informal tone and ensuring clarity and readability. In the final product, certain styles and structures have been adapted, and some enrichment data has been incorporated sparingly to enhance the piece without overwhelming the content.
- Italy, buoyed by their recent resurgence, are aiming to cement top spot in the UEFA Nations League as they take on France, their storied rivals in a rematch of the team's historic 3-1 victory in Paris.
- In the world of footy analysis, the upcoming Italy vs France match has generated significant interest, with stats indicating a potential 1-0 victory for Italy, as they have won 4 of their last 5 matches and boast a strong defense that has kept 8 clean sheets in their last 12 games.
- With several key players out due to injuries and absences, both teams face a crucial test of their depth and adaptability. Italy will be without Federico Chiesa, Gianluca Scamacca, and Riccardo Calafiori, while France must manage without Kylian Mbappe, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Ousmane Dembele.
- Despite missing key attackers like Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, France is expected to field a strong team for this crucial fixture, with Randal Kolo Muani likely to lead the line and supported by options like Christopher Nkunku, Kingsley Coman, and Marcus Thuram.
- In an enthralling contrast, Italy's rejuvenated side under Luciano Spalletti appears to be finding their rhythm, ensuring a strong performance and a possible 2-0 victory in favor of the Azzurri, considering France's current struggles in attack. With a draw for France securing top spot, both teams will be eager to assert dominance in the storied rivalry that unfolds on the sports field.
