Italy vs Wales
Italy vs Wales takes place on June 20 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome as Group A of Euro2020 winds to a conclusion. Italy have already secured progression to the knock out stages with consecutive 3-0 victories while a draw here should almost certainly be enough for Wales to go through. Read on for more analysis, match predictions and betting tips.
Form
It’s safe to say Italy are in some imperious form right now. The Azzurri have not conceded in 10 games in all competitions now, and it’s been nearly 1,000 minutes played since Donny van de Beek scored for Netherlands past Italy in October 2020. Normally notoriously slow starters, Italy have found their rhythm early and pre-tournament tip for the Golden Boot Ciro Immobile has two to his name already.
Wales come into this game full of confidence after a good win against Turkey in Baku. They withstood a heavy onslaught from Turkey in the second half in front of a fairly partisan crowd, and not even a penalty miss by Gareth Bale threw them off their stride. Aaron Ramsey scored in what was an excellent performance from the Juventus midfielder and Robert Page’s men will come into this fixture without fear.
Injuries
Italy lost their skipper Giorgio Chiellini to a hamstring problem five minutes after he had a goal chalked off for handball, and the Juventus defender will be a big miss from the team if he does indeed miss out against Wales. He was replaced by veteran Lazio centre-back Francesco Acerbi and it could be that head coach Roberto Mancini goes with Acerbi again for the Wales game. Other options would be young Internazionale centre-back Alessandro Bastoni or Lazio veteran Rafael Toloi.
Wales suffered no injuries in their match against Turkey which gives caretaker head coach Rob Page the benefit of a full squad to choose from. In Baku Page went with Bale, Ramsey and Manchester United winger Dan James behind striker Kieffer Moore and it will be intriguing if he again opts for a 4-2-3-1 formation against the much stronger Italian side.
Match Predictions
Italy are strong favourites for this game at 1.50. While there might be some thoughts if Mancini will rest players with qualification already ensured, winning the group ensures that Italy could face a much easier team from Group C in the round of 16 rather than a potential heavyweight from Group B. Although Italy have already scored six in this competition, over 2.5 goals is not fancied by the bookies and it will be a brave tipster who offers betting tips in that market. The value might be in the handicap market - just how well can Wales deal with the might of the Azzurri on their home turf?