Italy and Belgium will both be keen to make winning starts under new management when they clash in the UEFA Nations League on Friday.
Roberto Mancini has been appointed Italy boss for a second time, replacing Gennaro Gattuso after the Azzurri failed to qualify for a third successive World Cup, while Belgium have turned to former Netherlands captain Mark van Bommel.
Mancini previously managed Italy from 2018 until 2023 and won Euro 2020 with victory over England in the final at Wembley, and there is the hope that his re-appointment can take them back to the top.
Van Bommel succeeds Rudi Garcia, whose departure was confirmed after Belgium's quarter-final exit to Spain at the World Cup, and he enjoyed plenty of success in charge of Royal Antwerp.
Italy have finished third in two of the four editions of the UEFA Nations League, which includes beating Belgium 2-1 in the third-place play-off in 2020/21, and they will be looking to make the most of home advantage at the Stadio Olimpico.
Italy v Belgium Tips Summary
Best Bet - Belgium or draw double chance @ 8/13
Alternative Bet - Maxim De Cuyper to score or assist @ 9/4
Bet Builder - Both teams to score, Maxim De Cuyper 1+ shots on target & Riccardo Calafiori 1+ shots @ 25/4
Italy v Belgium Prediction
Best Bet: Belgium or draw double chance @ 8/13
Belgium’s only defeat in their last 19 internationals came in the quarter-final of the World Cup to eventual winners Spain and they should have less to fear against Italy in Rome.
Both teams may have some early teething problems in their first game under new management but Mancini has selected an inexperienced squad for Italy and there appears to be a shortage of goals.
The Azzurri have scored one or fewer in each of their last five matches and they are on a recovery mission after failing to qualify for the World Cup.
Italy battled to 1-0 friendly successes in their last two games against Luxembourg and Greece and will find this tougher at home to Belgium, who are not lacking leaders with Youri Tielemans, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard having all been selected.
Alternative Bet: Maxim De Cuyper to score or assist @ 9/4
Marauding full-back Maxim De Cuyper has had an excellent start to the season with Brighton in the Premier League, with his first eight appearances yielding three goals and three assists.
De Cuyper loves to get forward and get in on the act and he has already had seven goal contributions in just 25 caps.
With confidence high, the Belgian full-back could have a key role to play at the Stadio Olimpico and he has had seven shots in five Premier League appearances for the Seagulls.
Italy v Belgium Bet Builder Tip
Both teams to score
Maxim De Cuyper 1+ shots on target
Riccardo Calafiori 1+ shots
Pays 25/4
Belgium tend to be embroiled in high-scoring matches, with their excellent attacking play often undermined by defensive flaws, and the goals should flow against Italy.
The Red Devils have seen both teams score in seven of their last 10 matches.
De Cuyper has confirmed himself as one of Europe’s brightest left-backs and, having scored three goals and got three assists in eight appearances for Brighton this season, he can force a shot on target.
Arsenal ace Riccardo Calafiori may be one of the best left-backs in world football and he can also have an effort in this international contest.
Like De Cuyper, Calafiori loves to get forward and he has had seven shots in five Premier League appearances this season, a total bettored by only Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz in the Arsenal squad.
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Key Match Stats
Italy are unbeaten in five meetings with Belgium
Both teams have scored in five of Belgium's last six internationals
Belgium have lost only one of their last 19 games
Both teams have scored in seven of the last 10 meetings
Three of Belgium's last six matches have ended in draws
Five of Italy's last 10 games have gone over 2.5 goals
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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.
