Italy will look to maintain their unbeaten run in the Nations League campaign as they welcome Belgium on Thursday. The Red Devils haven’t beaten the Azzurri in any competitive match for nearly five decades. Can Belgium finally overcome this hurdle? Our Italy vs Belgium predictions guide previews this contest.
The third round can put Belgium in a difficult group position if they lose in Italy, while the hosts are looking hot and ready to continue their win series.
| ℹ️ Tournament: | UEFA Nations League 2024-25, League A, Group A2, Matchday 3 |
| ⚽️ Venue: | Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy |
| 🗓️ Date: | 10 October 2024 |
| ⏰ Time: | 18:45 GMT on Thursday |
The best online football betting sites back Italy as favorites to win with 2.10 (10/9) odds. Belgium has an odds of 3.5 (5/2) to claim victory in Rome. The Italy vs Belgium odds for a draw stand at 3.30 (7/3).
Italy have reigned supreme in their recent meetings with Belgium, winning four of their previous five fixtures. The Red Devils’ victory in 2015 was a friendly game.
| Standings | Group A2 Teams | Matches Played | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italy | 2 | 6 |
| 2 | France | 2 | 3 |
| 3 | Belgium | 2 | 3 |
| 4 | Isreal | 2 | 0 |
Italy’s campaign has started brilliantly with victories in two games, placing them at the summit with six points. The French and Belgian sides each hold one victory and defeat, occupying second and third positions, respectively. At the bottom, Israel remains pointless after suffering two consecutive losses.
Following their Euro 2024 setback, Italy has shown remarkable resilience in the UEFA Nations League A, clinching an away triumph over France (3-1) and edging past Israel (2-1) at home. The Israel clash saw Spalletti experiment boldly, making history by fielding five post-2000-born players simultaneously. However, against a stronger Belgian squad, he may favor more seasoned players.
The consecutive wins have propelled Italy to the summit of Group A2, ahead of both France and Belgium. Yet, despite these positive results, Spalletti faces ongoing scrutiny, making upcoming home fixtures crucial for gathering maximum points. The best bookies in Belgium expect Italy to secure their third Nations League win on Thursday.
Third-choice goalkeeper Alex Meret is sidelined with an injury and will be replaced by either Ivan Provedel or Michele Di Gregorio. Meanwhile, the fitness of Federico Chiesa and Destiny Udogie remains uncertain.
Belgium also had a disappointing Euro 2024, exiting in the same round as Italy. They managed only two goals in four games and none in their last two. They started their Nations League campaign with a 3-1 win over Israel but followed it up with a 2-0 loss to France.
This inconsistency highlights their struggles against elite teams. The Red Devils will need a strong performance in Rome to secure their first competitive victory over Italy in 52 years and keep their chances for the Nations League 24/25 finals.
Domenico Tedesco has invited four new players to the team: Cyril Ngonge, Matte Smets, Malick Fofana, and Maarten Vandevoordt. Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne are not part of the squad.
Here are our Italy vs Belgium betting predictions:
2 (100%)
0
The Azzurri have dominated their recent encounters with Belgium, claiming victory in their last three matchups. These results include a 2-1 win that secured third place in the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League Finals. The Red Devils, meanwhile, have struggled lately, managing just two victories in their previous six matches across competitions. With Belgium’s last competitive win against Italy dating back to 1972, the hosts appear primed to extend their impressive run.
2 (100%)
0
Although Italy has won both of its matches in the tournament, it has yet to keep a clean sheet. In fact, both teams have scored in three of Italy’s last four games. Similarly, Belgium has conceded in both of its two fixtures so far. Notably, three of the last four encounters between these teams have also seen both sides find the net. We expect both teams to score in this encounter, given their recent records.
0
(100%) 2
Italy has shown a worrying trend of conceding early, letting in the first goal in five of their last six matches. Notably, they conceded within the first minute against France in early September. This pattern suggests vulnerability at the start of games. Belgium will likely capitalize and score first in their upcoming clash, especially with Italy’s defensive lapses early on. The best betting sites in Italy offer this option at 2.40 (7/5).
Here are our Italy vs Belgium betting picks:
Italy’s brilliant form and home advantage make them top favorites to win this match. A positive result will see them remain at the top of their group. Use our Italy vs Belgium betting tips to stake and win extra cash.
