Sweden v Italy Betting Tips: 2 AH0, 2017-11-10

Italy to avoid defeat in 1st leg in Sweden

World Cup Betting Tips

SWEDEN v ITALY

Friday 10th November 2017 – Kickoff: 1945hrs

Football – Europe – World Cup Qualifiers Betting Tips

These two nations would normally be competing at a World Cup finals but here they are both fighting it out in the World Cup qualifier play-offs following some disappointing results in the group stages.

Sweden actually gave a good account of themselves in Group A as they finished runners-up to group winners, France, in what was a particularly strong group which also included the likes of Netherlands, Bulgaria, Belarus and Luxembourg.

Sweden were unbeaten at home throughout the campaign with a strong looking  4-1-0  18/2 record in Stockholm which included wins over all the teams except for the Dutch whom they drew 1-1 with. The highlight of course was a 2-1 win over France, as well as putting eight past the hapless Luxembourg in a 8-0 thrashing.

Sweden suffered three defeats away from home which really let them down and ultimately cost them an automatic spot to Russia, and the free-scoring Swedes will now have to try and break down a well organised Italian outfit, well known for their defensive solidity.

Onto Italy, and they finished some five points behind a rampant Spanish outfit who won Group G at a canter, winning nine of their ten qualifying matches in the process. Indeed, Italy had actually put in some solid results which included just one defeat throughout the campaign, but that loss was a 3-0 defeat away to Spain which effectively decided the group winner.

Nevertheless, Italy ended up with an impressive away record of  4-0-1 11/6 as they gained more points on their travels than on home soil and I daresay manager, Giampiero Ventura will rue their draws with Spain and in particular, Macedonia, as they had to settle for second place in the group.

Italy will look to keep things tight away from home in this first leg and perhaps try and hit Sweden on the counter-attack. Look out for forwards Immobile and Insigne here.

Pick: Italy AH0 @ 1.64 Marathonbet