Spain vs Italy Bet Builder Tips: 3.40 Builder this Thursday Night Nations League Clash
Spain vs Italy Bet Builder Tips: Thursday June 15th
Haven’t had enough football this season? Me neither, the Nations League has your fix and we have you covered for Spain vs Italy Bet Builder Tips.
These two met in the last semi-finals back in 2021, Spain prevailing 2-1 in Milan before eventually losing to France in the final.
Spain have made a tepid start to their Euro 2024 qualifications, as have Italy, each winning one and losing their other game.
In this article:
Spain vs Italy Preview
UEFA Nations League, Thursday, June 15th, 19:45 (UK)
It has been an absolutely gruelling season.
A World Cup in Qatar sandwiched in between domestic duty has meant some of the players expected to start at the De Grolsch Veste have played around 50 games.
Dani Carvajal and Lorenzo Pellegrini have played 49, Gavi and Gianluigi Donnarumma 50 and Rodri 62. There will be some tired legs in the Netherlands.
That said both managers are expected to field strong XIs.
After switching allegiances from France to Spain, Robin Le Normand should partner Aymeric Laporte at the back to make his first appearance for the latter.
A week after completing the treble with Manchester City in Istanbul, Rodri is expected to start alongside Martín Zubimendi in La Roja’s engine room.
As for Azzurri, Federico Dimarco, Alessandro Bastoni, Francesco Acerbi and Nicolo Barella were all on the losing side for Inter and are all expected to start for the Azzurri on Thursday.
New recruit Mateo Retegui is expected to continue to lead the line, despite his lack of international experience. He bagged in each of their Euro 2024 qualifying games, scoring against England and Spain.
Spain vs Italy Stats & Facts
- These sides met in the last Nations League semi-final, Spain won 2-1 in Milan before eventually losing to France in the final
- Italy have only lost one of their last 20 competitive matches when classified as the away team
- Italy’s last 13 goals have been scored by 10 different players
- Spain have never won more than two consecutive matches in the Nations League
Spain vs Italy Bet Builder
Christian Vieri, Roberto Baggio, Paolo Rossi. There have been plenty of talismanic Italian attackers over the years, most of their iconic sides have had one. But that’s what they have been lacking in recent years, and a void Roberto Mancini has looked to fix.
Mateo Retegui is the latest frontman under scrutiny and looks to be acing his audition, scoring two in as many games.
The striker is a fascinating player. Currently plying his trade at Tigre in Argentina, his place of birth. He has only made 21 appearances this campaign, so will be significantly fresher than some of his European counterparts. Something to consider at the end of this relentless campaign.
Mancini has likened him to Gabriel Batistuta and nicknamed El Tabano, which, according to a quick Google search means Horsefly. It must be because he is annoying for defenders to mark.
Bet365 have him have three or more shots at 11/8, which certainly appeals.
It is a line the frontman has met in each of his two appearances. Domestically, he averaged 3.6 shots per game and this bet would have paid out in nine of his 15 starts. Retegui hit six or more shots thrice, nine plus twice and 10 plus once for his club this campaign.
Combining that with under 2.5 goals seems logical with fatigue looking a major factor. Five players were involved in the Champions League final last week, and many have played over 45 games this season.
- Mateo Retegui +2.5 Shots
- Under 2.5 Goals
Bet Builder odds: 3.40
Odds via bet365 as at 15:30 June 14th 2023. Odds may now differ.