Italy vs Belgium Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Italy should be looking to continue their impressive start to the Nations League campaign and we are expecting them to continue this against Belgium.

Italy are top of their respective Nations League group after two games played, following victories over Israel and, more notably, France in the opening game. Italy are on a three-game winning run against the visitors, with Belgium also failing to keep a clean sheet in their last five against Italy.

Italy have been impressive on home soil, with six wins from their last seven at home. Games involving Belgium tend not to be high-scoring affairs - with five of the last six recording less than 2.5 goals scored. Belgium's away record is less than desirable, as the visitors are winless in their last five, where they have been designated the away side.

For these reasons, we can’t look anywhere past an Italy win. Their impressive start, accompanied by their home form, should see them enough for a 2-0 win.

Italy 2-0 Belgium

The international break is back upon football fans as the third and fourth rounds of the Nations League fixtures occur. Italy will hope to continue their 100% start when they host Belgium.

Date: 10/10/2024
Location: Stadio Olimpico
Kick-Off: 7.45 pm

Luciano Spalletti has enjoyed a perfect start to their UEFA Nations League campaign Italy are top of their respective Nations League group after two games played, following victories over Israel and, more notably, France in the opening game. In their opening game against France, Italy conceded in the first minute through a goal from Bradley Barcola. Federico Di Marco equalised on the 30 minute mark for Spalletti’s side. Davide Frattesi and Giacomo Raspadori provided further goals for Italy, to secure the win. The second game against Israel, saw Frattesi score once again with a goal from former Everton striker Moise Kean. A consolation goal from Mohammad Abu Fani was too late for Israel.

Belgium began their UEFA Nations League campaign, with a terrific victory over Israel for Domenico Tedesco’s side. Kevin De Bruyne was the star of the show, as the Manchester City talisman grabbed a brace for the Red Devils - Youri Tielemans scored in between both goals from De Bruyne. In their second game, Belgium succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to former World Champions France - with goals from Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele.

The previous meeting between the two teams ended in a 2-1 win for Italy to determine who finished third in the 2021 edition of the UEFA Nations League. The two also met in the European Championships that year.

The game will not be shown live on UK TV.

Predicted Italy Eleven: Donnarumma, Buongiorno, Bastoni, Calafiori, Di Lorenzo, Di Marco, Tonali, Pellegrini, Frattesi, Kean, Raspadori.

Predicted Belgium Eleven: Casteels, Theate, Faes, Debast, Castagne, Onana, Tielemens, Lukebakio, De Bruyne, Doku, Openda

The home side has a much better head-to-head record against Belgium, with the home side having won their last three games against the visitors. Overall, Italy dominated this fixture, as through 24 meetings played between the two teams, Italy has won 16, drawn four and lost four. Belgium are without a clean sheet in their previous five and Italy have scored first in those five fixtures.

Italy have been impressive on home soil, with six wins from their last seven at home. Italy haven’t lost at home since the 2-1 defeat against Italy in the qualification campaign for the European Championships. Italy have been solid defensively also, with four clean sheets in seven home international matches. Italy has only gone one game at home in seven without scoring a goal - which was their home-friendly fixture against Turkey.

Italy recorded a 1-0 win over Bosnia Herzegovina in their most recent home fixture at the Stadio Olimpico. Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi scored the only goal for the Azzurri.

Belgium's away record is less than desirable, as the visitors are winless in their last five, where they have been designated the away side. Belgium have already lost one away game in this competition with the 2-0 defeat to France in their second game. The last competitive victory for Belgium away from home was their 3-2 win over Austria in the qualification phase for the European Championships.

Belgium has been relatively solid away from home regarding the defensive areas. Belgium have kept three clean sheets in five games on their travels. However in two of their recent four away fixtures, Belgium have conceded at least two goals per game and have recorded three draws and two losses in that time.

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