Two teams hoping for more respect amongst the upper UEFA echelon clash in Rome as Italy welcome Belgium to the capital on Thursday.
Belgium's "golden generation" has waned with a lot of hype and little return, so the Red Devils are hoping to make good on all that uncashed promise with some kind of meaningful results. Yet just last international break Kevin de Bruyne, who will miss out this time, criticized his side for lack of effort after defeat to France.
Italy, meanwhile, have shed a number of their own stars in favor of a patchwork squad pieced together by Luciano Spalletti.
The likes of Gianluca Raspadori and Davide Frattesi scored goals in a boosting 3-1 win over France last time out, but have a long way to go to recover goodwill lost from two straight missed World Cup qualifications.
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Italy vs. Belgium prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Italy (-105)
- Score prediction: Italy 3-1 Belgium
Italy are at home, and while they've slumped to adverse results in matches against more tight-knitted opponents like Switzerland and Croatia, the likes of Belgium won't have the fight to match.
Belgium have drawn blanks against France (twice), Ukraine, and even Slovakia in recent months, it's hard to see them breaching Italy enough for a victory.
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| BetMGM (USA) | |
| Italy win | -105 |
| Draw | +230 |
| Belgium win | +300 |
| Both teams to score | Y: -110 N: -130 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | O: +105 U: -150 |
| Italy -0.5 goals | -115 |
| Belgium +0.5 goals | -125 |
Italy vs. Belgium match facts
- Date: Thursday, October 10, 2024
- Kickoff Time: 8:45 p.m. local (2:45 p.m. ET / 11:45 a.m. PT)
- Location: Stadio Olimpico (Rome, Italy)
- Referee: Espen Andreas Eskas (NOR)
- Last meeting: Italy 2-1 Belgium (Oct. 10, 2021 | UEFA Nations League)
Italy vs. Belgium best bet
- Pick: Half with most goals — 2H
- Odds: +110 (BetMGM)
Italy's approach to international matches in the last few months has been make it to halftime with the game intact and open up the attack after the break. In their last five Italy matches, eight of the 12 goals scored have come after the halftime break.
Italy vs. Belgium prop bet
- Pick: Davide Frattesi 2+ shots
- Odds: -120 (FanDuel)
Talk about a man in form, Davide Frattesi is on fire right now. He scored in both of Italy's games during the September international break, taking six shots across those two matches against Israel an France, and is averaging 1.5 shots per game in Serie A play.
Add in that he scored in Inter's league game against Udinese in late September, and he's got great form to take into this match. Nearly even odds on a pair of efforts on goal seems strong value.
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