Prediction: Italy vs Spain

Prediction: Italy win

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: 888sport

UEFA Euro 2020 has been a tournament beyond the wildest imagination of most in recent weeks and now, 24 nations have been dwindled down to just four. The semi-final phase of the knockouts is here and with just three games left to be played, many fans still aren’t too sure how this whole thing is going to turn out. Today, we’re going to take a look at the first of the two semis as Italy prepare to go head to head with Spain at Wembley on Tuesday.

Italy

Roberto Mancini has built an absolute juggernaut of a squad and we should all be very excited about what’s to come from them in the next few years. Of course, it’s all about taking things one step at a time, beginning with a semi-final that the Italians have been tipped to win ever since it was first confirmed. If they can stick to their game plan then there’s absolutely no reason why they can’t blow Spain away in London.

Team News

Pellegrini has been ruled out through injury with Florenzi’s fitness being assessed before kick-off. The big miss, though, is Spinazzola who is officially out of the Euros due to a nasty Achilles injury he suffered against Belgium.

Spain

After their first few games it felt as if writing Spain off may not be the worst idea in the world – but then, in the blink of an eye, they burst into life and strung together consecutive wins with five goals in each. We aren’t here to proclaim that they’re the greatest gift to international football since their 2008-2012 side, but they’ve found the attacking flow necessary to create problems – and they’ve already gone much further than most expected.

Team News

Sarabia is set to have an MRI scan for an adductor issue that he picked up against Switzerland, ensuring he is now a big doubt for this game. Elsewhere, Spain don’t have any other suspension or injury worries which should open up the door for a similar starting XI to what we’ve seen from them so far in this tournament.

Factors to Consider

• Italy are now viewed by many bookmakers as the favourites to win Euro 2020.
• Italy have won all five of their games in the tournament.
• Spain have won two and drawn three of their games in the tournament.
• Italy have scored 11 goals and conceded two at Euro 2020.
• Spain have scored 12 goals and conceded five at Euro 2020.

Conclusion

This is going to be a real battle of will between two nations who have, somehow, gone above and beyond the expectations that were put in front of them. The Italians are going to fancy their chances here given how the tournament has panned out for them so far, but the Spaniards certainly aren’t about to go down without a fight. Therefore, we’re backing the Azzurri to secure an entertaining 3-2 win over Spain, booking their place in the final in the process.

Prediction: Italy win

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: 888sport