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Belgium v Italy
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Kick Off: Thursday 14th November at 19:45
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Competition: UEFA Nations League
Italy travel to Belgium on Thursday in need of just a single point to secure Nations League quarter-final qualification. The home side, on the other hand, look destined for a relegation play-off unless they can pull off something remarkable starting against the Azzurri.
⭐ Belgium v Italy Best Bets
Italy have been in fine form during the Nations League and merit their top position in the group. They’ve bagged at least twice in all four of their games, accumulating 11 goals in total – an average of 2.75 per game.
When they last played Belgium in October, they’d found the back of the net twice inside 25 minutes and looked like they’d go on to grab a few more but for an early first-half red card. Even then they carried a lot of attacking threat and with Belgium forced to play for the win, Italy could take advantage on Thursday.
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👕 Belgium v Italy Predicted XI
🔍 Belgium v Italy Key Players
🔵 Mateo Retegui
Retegui has been in outstanding form this season, netting 11 goals and providing 3 assists for Atalanta in Serie A. He’s averaging 1.85 shots on target per match, forcing a save in 12 of his last 13 starts across all competitions.,
In Belgium’s four Nations League matches so far, they’ve allowed a total of 19 shots on target, averaging just under 5 per game. If Italy comes close to that figure, it would be some surprise if their star forward didn’t have at least one effort on goal.
🔵 Nicolo Barella
Barella has been a standout performer for Inter this season, displaying impressive consistency even as some of the Nerazzurri’s even as other key players have struggled.
The tricky midfielder has drawn an average of 1.69 fouls per 90 minutes and has been fouled at least once in each of his last six starts.
Belgium’s midfield lineup is expected to feature a formidable fouling trio of Amadou Onana, Orel Mangala, and Arthur Vermeeran, all of whom are averaging over 1.5 fouls per 90 this season.
📂 Belgium v Italy Cheat Sheet
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💻 Belgium v Italy Form and Tactics
Belgium are expected to line up in their customary 4-2-3-1 although Domenico Tedesco will likely have to make a few adjustments given the vast number of absentees he’s faced with. De Bruyne, Meunier, Doku, De Ketelaere and Tielemans make up just a few of their absentees although he’ll be glad to have Lukaku back having missed him dearly in the last international break.
That said, he’s been well below par for some time now under Conte whose patience must surely be running thin – he’ll have Trossard for support who is also in need of a resurgence in form.
Luckily for the Red Devils, they’re not the only side in an injury crisis with Italy set to setup in the absence of Calafiori, Ricci, Scamacca and a few others. Spaletti will be hoping their absences will be offset by the return of Nicolo Barella to the team who is sure to be hugely influential in this affair.
Barella will start alongside Locatelli and Tonali as Spaletti will aim to kill the game off by exerting extreme control in the midfield. In that sense, this could be a contest decided by whether Belgium can disrupt Italy’s meticulous midfield rhythm.
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🏁 Belgium v Italy Ref Watch
- Referee: Radu Marián Petrescu (Romania)
- Referees most of his games in his native Romania, but takes the reigns for his fourth European match of the season here.
- Throughout his career, he’s averaged 23.67 fouls per 90 and 3.81 yellows per 90.
- That said, in four of his last five European games, he’s dished out a minimum of five cards.
Football Predictions at Andy’s Bet Club
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* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.
* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.
Written by an Andy verified content writer
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