Italy and Spain face off in the World Cup Qualifiers 2018 on Thursday.
The two sides are the favorites to win Group G of the World Cup qualifiers, but only one side will get the chance to represent its group automatically in the World Cup in 2018. The second place team will have to endure the challenge of the playoff late in 2017.
Spain enters this match in a very interesting situation. The team has not lost a World Cup qualifier since March 1993 when it was defeated by Denmark. Since then, the team has been unstoppable in this tournament.
But now the team, which won the showpiece in 2010, faces a team that completely destroyed it the last time they faced off. That match was the 2016 Euro tournament round of 16, a 2-1 win by Italy that could have ended with a more lop-sided scoreline if not for the heroics of David De Gea.
Both teams won their opening game of the qualifiers, with Spain putting an 8-0 scoreline on Liechtenstein. The winner of this game is likely to have the advantage on winning the group as the second game in Spain between these two is likely to be an all-out assault by the team behind, likely leading to tremendous exposure on the back end.
The two sides are the favorites to win Group G of the World Cup qualifiers, but only one side will get the chance to represent its group automatically in the World Cup in 2018. The second place team will have to endure the challenge of the playoff late in 2017.
Spain enters this match in a very interesting situation. The team has not lost a World Cup qualifier since March 1993 when it was defeated by Denmark. Since then, the team has been unstoppable in this tournament.
But now the team, which won the showpiece in 2010, faces a team that completely destroyed it the last time they faced off. That match was the 2016 Euro tournament round of 16, a 2-1 win by Italy that could have ended with a more lop-sided scoreline if not for the heroics of David De Gea.
Both teams won their opening game of the qualifiers, with Spain putting an 8-0 scoreline on Liechtenstein. The winner of this game is likely to have the advantage on winning the group as the second game in Spain between these two is likely to be an all-out assault by the team behind, likely leading to tremendous exposure on the back end.
Reason For Betting Tips
Giampiero Ventura had a tough act to follow as he replaced Antonio Conte after Euro 2016. Conte took Italy to the quarter finals of Euro 2016 despite having a squad largely inferior to previous incarnations of Italy. They managed to beat Belgium in the group opener and knocked holders Spain out of the competition in the first knockout round before being eliminated by Germany on penalties.
Ventura didn’t begin in the best fashion as they lost 3-1 at home to France in a friendly, but he went some way to repairing that damage with a 3-1 win over Israel in his first competitive game. Graziano Pelle, Antonio Candreva, and Ciro Immobile got the goals in that game, and those two strikers have done enough to remain in the squad, keeping the in form Mario Balotelli out of the fray.
However, they face a very different task on Thursday. They go up against a Spain side also under new management in a match that could prove crucial come the end of this campaign. These two sides are the favourites for the top spot in this World Cup qualifying group, and whoever wins the two meetings between them will more than likely go on to win the group and the resulting automatic qualification to the World Cup.
Spain parted ways with the legendary Vicente Del Bosque after Euro 2016 and has been replaced by Julen Lopetegui. This followed Spain’s unsuccessful attempt at defending their European Champions trophy for the second time, and Lopetgeui has wasted no time in getting his side back on track.
Spain won their first match under their new manager 2-0 in a friendly away to Belgium, with David Silva getting both goals in that game. Julen Lopetegui’s first competitive game in charge was a hosting of Liechtenstein, with David Silva adding another two to his tally. He wasn’t the only one on the scoresheet though as Diego Costa got two, as did Alvaro Morata whilst Sergi Roberto and Vitolo both added one apiece in an 8-0 demolition of the minnows. This was a far cry from the performance that saw them lose 1-0 at home to Georgia in the build up to Euro 2016.
This is really a tale of two new managers. Ventura has struggled to find the defensive stability that Conte demanded of his all-Juventus back line and has conceded four goals in two games. Spain, on the other hand, have rekindled the awesome attacking threat that was lacking in the summer, scoring ten in their last two matches.
Italy may have deservedly beat Spain in the summer, but this time I don’t think they have the organisation required to hold a rampant Spain at bay. I’m expecting Spain to get the win, but you can never be sure with Italy. I think the best bet is a Spain 0.0 Asian Handicap Win at 1.825, and I’m going for a 3-1 correct score prediction at huge odds of 25/1 as well.
Head To Head
Spain have won two, drawn three, and lost one of their last six games against Italy, with the last one being a 2-0 Italy win in Euro 2016.
Stats
Spain have won 67% and lost 0% of their last six away days.
Team News
Italy's squad is largely unchanged from last time out, with Mario Balotelli still omitted despite an excellent start to the season. Gianluigi Buffon will continue to captain his side as he adds to his 163 caps, although 17 year old Gianluigi Donnarumma is ready and waiting to take his place. 21 year old Alessio Romagnoli is the only uncapped player in the squad, whilst Daniele De Rossi's 18 goals make him the top scorer for Italy.
Juan Mata has been left out of the Spain squad along with fellow Premier League midfielder Cesc Fabregas. Alvaro Morata and Diego Costa will battle it out to lead the line for Spain, whilst David Silva is the top scorer in the squad with 28 goals in 105 appearances. Andres Iniesta and Sergio Ramos are the two other players with over 100 caps to their name in a largely experienced Spain squad.
