Italy vs Wales Prediction & Betting Tips - Euro

Prediction published on 17/06/2021, 12:25  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 17/06/2021 at 12:59 in Euro Predictions

So far it is hard to pick a team better than Italy at Euro 2020 and even after securing their place in the knockouts after two wins in two in Group A, they aren’t expected to slow down against Wales in the final group game. Italy thrashed a strong Switzerland 3-0 in the second game, having beaten Turkey by the same margin in the first, and go here two points better than Wales. The Azzurri have been silky and a marvel to watch in their two matches and are now unbeaten in 29 matches, their easy win over Switzerland strengthening their place as favorites to win Euro 2020. The only negative going to this game will be the injury to skipper Giorgio Chiellini who was withdrawn early against Switzerland with a suspected hamstring injury. With Italy already through, he won’t be risked for the Wales game and Francesco Acerbi should continue in the position after replacing him against Switzerland. Italy have won each of their last 10 matches ahead of this game all with clean sheets, and scored two or more goals in each of these. Their last five matches alone have seen the team score 17 goals.

Wales last met Italy in 2003, and on that occasion, Italy won 4-0. This is the first time the two nations meet in a tournament situation and Italy have won five of the six previous meetings, with Wales winning one. Going to this game we don’t expect that head to head flow to change. Wales are in a good position to proceed to the second round but gunning for three points against Italy may feel like they are pushing it too hard. They had good organization against Switzerland as they came from down to draw 1-1, and were impressive too in their 2-0 win over Turkey. In the two games though, they had shaky situations defensively and this Italy side would punish them badly. Needing just a draw to secure second place, Wales are expected to employ a defensive approach here, and hope they can use Gareth Bale’s pace and vision on the counter. The skipper was impressive against Turkey. Though he missed a penalty in the game, his two assists and vision will be remembered more. The team has one win in the last four matches and the win over Turkey served the third clean sheet in five matches and the first time in seven that they managed more than a goal in a game.