Italy vs Spain Prediction & Betting Tips - Euro

Prediction published on 03/07/2021, 06:52  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 06/07/2021 at 06:59 in Euro Prediction

Italy and Spain are set to face off in what has been billed a final before the final at the Euro 2020. This semi final clash is a repeat of the 2012 final when the two nations met and Spain thrashed Italy 4-0. Four players who made the squad in that game nine years ago are still active – Italy have Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Salvatore Sirigu, while Sergio Busquets is still doing the business for Spain. This is set to be one epic game. Italy are coming from a 2-1 win over Belgium and have so far been the best team at this competition, conceding just two goals so far. The only setback against Belgium, apart from failing to keep a clean sheet, would be the loss of Leonardo Spinazzola to injury. The Roma defender isn’t expected to be back in time for the semifinal. Italy have won each of their matches at this competition; their win over Belgium was their 13th straight, and 33rd straight unbeaten outing. The fact that they managed to do their business in 90 minutes should give them an advantage over a Spain side that had to go all the way to penalties. Italy haven’t scored as many goals as Spain in this competition but have been able to finish off opponents with an incisive attack and sturdy defending. Rarely have they been under threat, as even when conceding, they were already two goals in the lead.

Spain may be among the last four, but they have struggled a lot to kill off matches in this competition, even when dominating possession. The only time they had a semblance of comfort was in their 5-0 win over Slovakia in their final group game. They did score five against Croatia as well, but they had very shaky moments as the Croats came from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 and send the game to extra time. The weight of going to extra time in their last two matches will for sure weigh in here, and especially having gone all the way to penalties against Switzerland in their last game. Spain took the lead via an own goal against the Swiss but still struggled to add to it, and after Switzerland’s equalizer they were reduced to 10 men with 13 minutes to go but still Spain struggled to break them down. They needed the lottery of penalties to break the tie, and they will find it hard against this inspired Italian side. While they have very talented forwards and a creative band of midfielders, Spain have suffered from wastefulness in attack and any more of such at this stage will be punished by this Italian side.