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Spain vs Italy Predictions
Two of the titans of Euro 2024 clash when Spain and Italy square off in their Group B showdown on Thursday evening (8pm, ITV1).
The two sides played each other in the Euro 2020 semi-finals, where the Azzurri came out victors on penalties before beating England via the same method in the final.
However, Spain have won the two meetings since in the Nations League semi-finals, including their triumph in 2023 on their way to the crown.
La Roja enjoyed a strong start to their Euros campaign, brushing Croatia aside with a sensational first-half performance. Italy too started with a win, although they were forced to come from behind to defeat Albania.
Both teams are still likely to advance to the round of 16, but each manager will want to send out a statement to the other top teams in the tournament with a major scalp.
Spain are favourites with UK betting sites with a best-price of 6/5, while Italy are as big as 3/1 to edge the contest.
The Panel have taken the performances of the two sides into account as well as the odds in their three betting predictions for the duel in Gelsenkirchen.
Spain vs Italy Prediction: La Roja To Earn Euros Revenge
Spain were extremely impressive in their opening match of the tournament putting three goals past Croatia.
Although Croatia’s issues at the back were also exposed by Albania in their second game, La Roja were still clinical in the final third, which has often been a criticism of their play over the last decade.
Alvaro Morata has borne the brunt of those taunts but was on point to notch the opener before Fabian Ruiz scored a stunner.
Spain have sent more talented sides to major tournaments, but this team seems to work well in cohesion and that could be why their odds have dropped as low as 6/1 to win the Euros with some football betting sites.
Still, they have a point to prove against elite sides, and although they have beaten Italy in both of their meetings since Euro 2020, that semi-final defeat will live long in the memory as a missed opportunity.
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If Luis de la Fuente’s side play with same rhythm and skill as their win over Croatia, the Azzurri will have their hands full. Italy were their resourceful selves against Albania, bouncing back after conceding the fastest goal in Euros history.
Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella found the net to get Luciano Spalletti’s men off the mark in the competition, but they will know they need to improve against La Roja.
The Panel believe this will be a close contest as matches between these two sides have historically been. Spain’s performance in their opener left an impression on The Panel and the odds of 6/5 appeal for La Roja to secure another three points.
The Panel Tip: Spain To Win – 6/5 Betfred
Spain vs Italy Betting: Another Ruiz Special?
Ruiz didn’t have the most productive of domestic campaigns for Paris Saint-Germain last season, but he certainly made his mark on the Euros in the first round of fixtures.
The midfielder curled in a sublime strike from distance to double Spain’s lead against Croatia, notching only the third goal of his international career.
Two of Ruiz’s three goals have come in his last two appearances as he also hit the back of the net in La Roja’s 5-1 win over Northern Ireland in a warm-up match before the tournament.
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If you include PSG games, Ruiz has scored in three-straight matches, scoring a decisive goal in his side’s Coupe de France triumph over Lyon.
It’s clear that Ruiz has his shooting boots on at the moment, and The Panel are intrigued by his value to register a shot on target against the Azzurri. Betting apps have differing odds, but you can find a price of 9/4, which looks too good to pass up in their opinion.
The Panel Tip: Fabian Ruiz Over 0.5 Shots On Target – 9/4 BetGoodwin
Spain vs Italy Tips: Bastoni To Collide With Morata
The battle between Bastoni and Morata promises to be fascinating. Morata takes no prisoners, while Bastoni will be determined to keep the Spain captain at bay.
Bastoni had an eventful first game as his error allowed Albania to take the lead before he atoned for his mistake by scoring the equaliser.
However, he also committed two fouls during the 90 minutes that catches the eye of The Panel, especially as he will be in direct contact with a forward that specialises in drawing free-kicks.
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Morata was fouled an average of 2.7 times per game at Euro 2020 and was even more successful at catching the referee’s attention in the 2022/23 Nations League drawing an average of three fouls per game.
The Panel like Bastoni’s odds of 6/4 with William Hill to commit two fouls or more in the contest.
The Panel Tip: Alessandro Bastoni Over 1.5 Fouls – 6/4 William Hill
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