Prediction: Belgium vs Italy

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

In what is a heavyweight Nations League showdown on Thursday night, Belgium will welcome Italy to Brussels.

Belgium

Starting with the hosts, while Belgium might have got their Nations League campaign underway on September 6th with a routine 3-1 victory against Israel, the Red Devils have come crashing back down to earth. Last seen signing off October’s international break with a 2-1 loss at home against France, Domenico Tedesco’s side have collected just a single point from any of their previous three League A appearances. Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny over the summer as they claimed just a sole EURO 24 victory over in Germany, Belgium are desperately seeking some kind of stability. Getting their European adventure underway on June 17th with an infamous 1-0 defeat at the hands of Slovakia, Thursday’s hosts have not collected back-to-back competitive victories over the past 13 months.

Team News

While Napoli marksmen Romelu Lukaku might have shockingly been omitted from Tedesco’s squad last month, the former Chelsea striker has been handed a recall. However, although Kevin De Bruyne might be inching his way back to full fitness, the Manchester City talisman will not feature over the next fortnight.

Although Koen Casteels might have completed a big-money move to Saudi Arabia over the summer, the former Wolfsburg goalkeeper will start between the sticks here. Opening his Nations League account with a consolation strike against France last month, RB Leipzig striker Luis Openda will be hoping to keep his spot leading the line.

Italy

As for the visitors, while Italy might have endured their own EURO 24 struggle over the summer as they suffered a Round of 16 exit at the hands of Switzerland, Luciano Spalletti’s men haven’t shown any signs of a hangover. Getting their Nations League campaign underway with a famous 3-1 victory against France on September 6th, Thursday’s guests have continued to impress over the past couple of months. Last seen laying down another marker as they claimed a 4-1 romp against Israel, the Blues have registered 10 points from their first four League A appearances. Really finding a clinical edge in the final third and sat in the driving seat to punch a semi-final spot, the former Inter Milan boss could be smelling the chance for his squad to collect another heavyweight Nations League scalp here.

Team News

While Nicolo Barella might have been left out of Spalletti’s Nations League squad last month, the Inter Milan ace has been handed a recall and should feature here. However, dealing with a recent injury issue and missing each of Arsenal’s previous six appearances across all competitions, Riccardo Calafiori will miss out over the next fortnight.

Recording a pair of Nations League strikes this year and continuing on what has been a real Serie A romp with Atalanta, Mateo Retegui could play a leading role. Appointed as Italy’s new full time skipper earlier in the year, PSG shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma will start between the sticks and earn a 70th international cap.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Belgium and Italy met for their reverse Nations League showdown on October 10th, Thursday’s opponents played out a 2-2 stalemate.
• Italy are unbeaten in all of their previous four showdowns against Belgium.
• The Red Devils have collected 10 points from their first four Nations League appearances this year.
• Belgium have failed to record a clean sheet in any of their previous five matchups across all competitions.
• Five of the previous six meetings between Belgium and Italy have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

With Belgium and Italy playing out a thrilling 2-2 stalemate when they met last month, neutrals will be hoping for another action-packed Nations League battle here. In a contest that tends to produce plenty of action, chances could fall thick and fast in Brussels. With the midweek guests really gaining a recent reputation for their clinical performances in the final third, they will be looking to cash in on a Belgium squad that have failed to record a clean sheet from any of their last five attempts. It should be noted, with five of the previous six meetings between Thursday’s opponents finishing with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome in midweek.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet