Big Game Focus: Italy v Greece

 

Group J leaders Italy will be looking to make it seven wins out of seven in the Euro 2020 qualification when they host an out of form Greece in Rome this weekend. Here’s the Big Game Focus with some betting tips. Bet on the game here. 

The Italians have been terrific in Group J so far. The Azzurri have won all of their six games, soring an impressive 18 goals and have one foot in next year’s European Championships. Although the Azzurri have been in good form, they have struggled in attack. Can they make it seven out of seven? Italy comfortably beat the Greeks in the reverse fixture between them in June.

Greece have endured a disappointing Euro 2020 qualification campaign. Their 2-0 win at Liechtenstein on match day one remains their only victory in Group J so far, and John van ‘t Schip’s men visit Rome with a dreadful record of just two wins in ten matches in all competitions.

Betting preview

Only three of Italy’s last 12 home matches in all competitions have seen three or more goals scored. Although Greece are enduring a difficult period, the 2004 Euro champions rarely get dismantled away from home. In fact, they have conceded more than two goals in only one of their last 20 international matches away from home. For that reason, you can back Under 2.5 Goals in this game at odds of 1.95. 

Torino striker Andrea Belotti has scored two goals in four appearances in the Euro qualifiers. The 25-year-old has been in good form for his club scoring five goals in seven Serie A appearances. Overall, he’s scored 13 goals in 17 appearances in all competitions this season. You can back Andrea Belotti as Anytime Goalscorer at odds of 2.05. 

The last time these two met, the Italians won 3-0. All the three goals were scored in a pace of ten minutes in the first half. Greece have conceded eight goals in the first half in their last five matches in all competitions.  Therefore, odds of 3.00 for First Half as the Highest Scoring Half look attractive. 

Team news

Azzurri captain Giorgio Chiellini will miss out through injury.

Konstantinos Fortounis is a long-term absentee and will be unavailable for the visitors.

Possible lineups

Italy: Donnarumma, Izzo, Bonucci, Acerbi, Spinazzola, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne

Greece: Barkas, Bakakis, Retsos, Siovas, Stafylidis, Kourmpelis, Bouchalakis, Fetfatzidis,Vrousai, Pavlidis, Koulouris