Belgium v Italy: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Italy and Belgium shared an incident-packed 2-2 draw in the Nations League last month and there should be more drama when the teams meet on Thursday evening.

Belgium v Italy betting tips and predictions

 Italy to win - 9/5

Italy struggled at this summer's European Championship finals in Germany, scraping through the group stage before a limp 2-0 defeat to Switzerland knocked them out in the round of 16.

However, the Azzurri have bounced back in style during their Nations League Group A2 campaign, winning three of their first four matches.

They went a goal down inside the first minute of their opening game against France but rallied to win 3-1, before a 2-1 victory over Israel on matchday two.

Italy completed a comfortable double over Israel last time out, winning 4-1, and the only blot on their Nations League record was a 2-2 draw at home to Belgium.

Luciano Spalletti's men were in control of that contest as well, leading 2-0, before midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini was sent off in the 40th minute.

Belgium took advantage of Pellegrini's expulsion and Leandro Trossard's second-half goal earned them a point in Rome but Italy are an appealing price to win the return fixture in Brussels.

The Belgians were also disappointing at the Euros, failing to score in three of their four matches as they were knocked out by France in the last 16.

They beat Israel 3-1 in their Nations League opener but have lost to France at home and away since then and look vulnerable favourites against an improving, young Italy side.   

Over 2.5 goals - 19/20

Belgium and Italy's matches at the Euros lacked goalmouth drama but their Nations League fixtures have been far more lively and that trend should continue on Thursday.

Over 2.5 goals has been a winner in all four of Italy's matches and three of their games rewarded backers of over 3.5 goals.

Belgium are still missing Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who scored two of their goals in the 3-1 win over Israel, but record scorer Romelu Lukaku has returned to the squad for this month's fixtures.

Arsenal's Trossard, RB Leipzig's Lois Openda and PSV winger Johan Bakayoko are among the hosts' other attacking threats and Belgium's Nations League home fixtures tend to be high-scoring encounters.

The Red Devils' 11 matches on their own patch in the competition have produced 46 goals – an average of 4.18 per game – so over 2.5 goals is a solid bet this week.     

Davide Frattesi to be anytime goalscorer - 4/1

Italy's squad is packed with midfield talent, including Inter Milan's Nicolo Barella, Manuel Locatelli of Juventus and Newcastle's Sandro Tonali.

Barella's Inter team-mate Davide Frattesi has established himself as one of the key players in Spalletti's side and he is worth backing to add to his goal tally against Belgium.

Frattesi has scored eight times in 25 appearances for the Azzurri, finding the net in all three of Italy's Nations League wins. 

The 25-year-old also caused problems for Belgium in last month's draw at the Stadio Olimpico. No player on the pitch had more shots than Frattesi's four, one of which was on target, and he has scored three goals in 546 minutes of Serie A action for Inter this season.

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Belgium v Italy odds

Belgium - 7/5
Draw - 23/10
Italy - 9/5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.