Spain v Italy 2012 Odds & Betting Prediction Euro 2012

Free bet on the top Group C match at Euro's!

Spain
Spain © GEPA pictures

Spain v Italy betting is one of the big matches of the first round of group games at Poland and Ukraine 2012. As the anticipation builds for this one, and we get to see the defending champions in action for the first time, there is extra great news because you can get a free bet for Spain v Italy Euro 2012 betting at Bet365. All that you need to do, is head to the highly rated online bookmaker and place a pre-match bet down on the game on Sunday, June 10th and you will receive a free In-Play bet to the same value as your biggest pre-match stake. This is a tremendous offer for Sunday’s big match at Euro 2012. Can the Spaniards kick off the defence of their title with a win, or will the troubled Italians pull together in their new found attacking style and inflict and upset the Red Fury? That remains to be seen, but one thing for sure, is that you can get a Spain v Italy free bet and what better way to try and top up your profits for your football betting at Euro 2012.

Spain v Italy Betting Odds at Bet365
Spain 4/5, Draw 5/2, Italy 4/1

Place a pre match wager on Spain v Italy and once the game kicks off, then go to Bet365’s great Live In Play betting portal, and if your FIRST In-Play bet loses, then Bet365 will refund the lost bet up to the maximum value of your largest pre-match bet. So that free In-Play bet could really pay dividends and there is no risk attached. Dipping into Live In Play betting for Euro 2012 match betting is well worthwhile because of all the extra options that become available, as there are over 70 In-Play markets to choose from at Bet365 on live action. Get a free wager down on the Next Goal, Full-Time Result, Total Corners or any of the many options available. So the formula for some extra profits is simple. Place a pre-match bet on Sunday and then go into Live In-Play betting, and if your first Live In-Play stake loses, then you will get that covered by the insurance and it will be refunded as a free bet. The highly popular online bookmaker Bet365 offer a free £200 bet as well for new customers registering an account. They will match the value of your first deposit on a new account with free betting cash!

So, can Spain become the first ever side to successfully defend a European Championship title? There has been speculation that they may not be as strong as they once were, having lost David Villa and Carles Puyol, key figures in their success over the past four years. Still, Spain, the number one ranked team in the world and the exponents of the marvellous tika-taka football, will walk into their Group C opener as favourites to take maximum points. Spain still have a world class midfield, one in which there are names like Chelsea’s Juan Mata who will have to really fight for a place. Spain will still have the lions’ share of possession in their matches, and ultimately that will put them in good standing. If the opposition doesn’t get the ball, then Spain aren’t likely to concede. At the back, Spain could have to fall back onto some inexperience, but while this golden generation of Spanish football may be on the way out, look through the squad and you will see the beginnings of the next one of the fringes. With the likes of Iniesta, Xavi and Alonso in the middle of the park, Spain can never be counted out. There may be question marks over the forwards though, because their record top scorer David Villa is not there. So will Fernando Torres, Fernando Llorente, Jesus Navas and Pedro be able to step up to the plate. The thing is, because of the quality of possession which they will from the world beating midfield behind them, the likelihood is, that they will.

Italy, who looked very good through qualification for Euro 2012, have struggled through their international friendly matches, which culminated in a 3-0 loss against Russia. There was a comedy of errors at the back in that match, which was surprising, because the Italians conceded the fewest amount of goals in the road to Euro 2012. They just haven’t been able to pull things together though, but one thing is for sure, is that under Cesare Prandelli, who took over after a miserable World Cup 2010, Italy have transformed themselves into a good attacking outfit. They took on a lot of the forward initiative in that defeat against Russia and were really going for goal, leaving themselves exposed at the back. Euro 2012 will demand much more control, but with the immense skills of Andrea Pirlo in the middle of the park pulling strings, Italy can produce tika-taka football too. The big question is though, do they have the finishing power? For all of their forward play, they have been struggling for goals, and injuries to key players up front have not helped. It could be all down to the sharpness of Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli. Will the youngster have the composure that his side needs up top?

Spain v Itlay Prediction: The general pattern of the game is not hard to predict. Italy will have flourishes of attacking play, but generally we will see Spain’s passive passing game trying to carve open the Italian defence. Can the Italians hold out for 90 minutes? Spain should get clear cut chances in this one, because the defensive issues Italy have suddenly adopted, combined with their lack of sharpness in front of goal, should put them at a disadvantage. Therefore a Spain -0.75 Asian Handicap for Evens at Bet365 looks good value.