Ahead of Thursday’s penultimate UEFA Nations League clash, we have the Belgium vs Italy preview, prediction, latest team news and predicted lineups.
Belgium Vs Italy Preview
Belgium
Having endured a poor League A Group 2 campaign, it’s win or bust for Belgium in Brussels this evening. The Red Devils have won just once in their four outings.
That solitary victory came against Israel back in September on MD1. Since then, Domenico Tedesco’s side has lost to France twice and drawn with Italy.
The latest defeat to rivals Les Bleus is certainly still fresh in the memory. Premier League star Youri Tielemens missed a vital spot kick.
Didier Deschamps side came up trumps thanks to a Randal Kolo Muani double. They managed to hold on at the King Baudouin Stadium despite having Aurélien Tchouaméni sent off.
In the reverse fixture against the Azzurri, the Red Devils fought back from 2-0 down to claim a point in a 2-2 draw. However, they couldn’t capitalise against the 10-man Italians, who had Lorenzo Pellegrini sent off in the first-half.
Big game in Brussels. 🇧🇪🇮🇹 #BELITA pic.twitter.com/ymB2T2KV0G
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) November 14, 2024
Italy
From Italy’s perspective, just a point is required tonight to ensure a quarter-final berth next summer. The Azzurri have looked back to their best after a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign.
Luciano Spalletti’s side completed a fine double over Israel and claimed a famous 3-1 victory in France on MD1. Despite going a goal down in the very first minute.
Therefore, the only blemish after four games came in the reverse fixture with Belgium in October. Spalletti will be more than confident he can finish the job tonight.
Many have praised his new tactical approach. Clearly, it has paid dividends so far. History certainly favours the Italians in the fixture.
They have won three of the last four meetings and this is why the best football betting sites in the UK make the Azzurri 15/8 match favourites.
Belgium Vs Italy Team News
Domenico Tedesco will be missing a plethora of stars tonight as Belgium seek to keep their qualification hopes alive. Captain Kevin De Bruyne is the biggest absentee.
Alongside the Manchester City midfielder, the likes of club teammate Jeremy Doku, Thomas Meunier and Charles De Ketelaere are also missing through injury.
However, all-time leading scorer Romelu Lukaku returns to the international setup. He wasn’t available for October’s fixtures and is expected to start upfront.
From Italy‘s perspective, they will have to navigate a number of injuries as well. Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori and Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci withdrew from the squad earlier this week.
Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli has been drafted in and is expected to start. So to is Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali.
Up front, Moise Keen is pushing hard to start after hitting a treble for Fiorentina last time out. However, Luciano Spalletti is expected to start with Mateo Retegui.
Belgium Vs Italy Predicted Lineups
Belgium (4-2-3-1): Casteels; Castagne, Debast, Faes, Theate; Mangala, Onana; Lukebakio, Trossard, Bakayoko; Lukaku
Italy (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Barella; Retegui
Belgium Vs Italy Prediction
On paper, it looks too tough to call but Italy’s form and Belgium’s poor run points to just one outcome at the King Baudouin Stadium.
The Red Devils injury list doesn’t help their cause so we are predicting the Azzurri to nab a slender victory in Brussels.
Prediction: Belgium 1-2 Italy
