Italy vs Saudi Arabia Prediction & Betting Tips - International Friendlies

Prediction published on 26/05/2018, 10:11  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 29/05/2018 at 03:17 in Football Predictions

Sometimes in football things don't quite go to plan and that's been the case for Italy. This home friendly against Saudi Arabia would be the ideal World Cup warm-up but it all went wrong for them in the play-offs. Now they have to sit at home watching on telly or on their mobile while on the beach and it's the visitors who will be in Russia. Italy had a tough group to start with having to contend with Spain but dominated the rest of the teams to finish second only to lose to Sweden in the play-offs and miss their first World Cup finals since 1958. They recently appointed Roberto Mancini as their manager and he'll be wanting a strong start as he rebuilds the team. They come into this game on a run of four games without a win but two ended in draws against Sweden and England with the other two defeats to Sweden and Argentina. Home form has seen Italy unbeaten in the last ten but the last two have been drawn. Only France have beaten them in their last eight home friendlies and the last two have been won by an aggregate of 11-0 with an 8-0 thrashing of San Marino and an impressive 3-0 victory over Uruguay last year. 

Saudi Arabia qualified for the World Cup finals only on goal difference over Australia. Their home form was the reason they managed to get to Russia with no defeats compared to three on the road. They have won their last two friendlies defeating Algeria and Greece but both were at home and on their travels two games this year have seen them lose 4-1 in Iraq and 4-0 away to Belgium. Six of their last eight away games have been lost and nine of the last 11 away friendlies with the only win being a 7-2 thrashing of Cambodia. They face Russia, Uruguay and Egypt in their World Cup group so an early exit looks assured. Go for Italy to get the home win in this match and can lead at both half and full time.