Turkey Vs Italy
Friday, 11th June 2021 – 20:00
UEFA EURO 2020, Group A
Pick: Draw
Odds: 3/1
Bookmaker: BetFred
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 9th June 2021)
Preview: The Stadio Olimpico, in Rome, Italy, will provide the backdrop for the opening contest at the rearranged 2020 European Championship as Italy look to capitalise on playing in front of a 25% capacity home crowd in their Group A opener versus Turkey.
UEFA EURO 2020 Betting at Betfair
Table of Contents
Turkey – Gunes inspiring second coming for Crescent Stars?
The Crescent Stars are appearing in their second consecutive European Championship finals, with this being their fifth overall. They will strive for a better outcome than when exiting at the group stage in France 2016 with one win and two losses. Expectations are higher this time around, however, finishing only two points behind world champions France, and with the joint-best defensive record, in EURO 2020 qualifying.
A defence which conceded a mere 0.3 goals a game on route to qualification will immediately come under scrutiny. Their opening opponents, Italy, were one of just two sides to qualify with a perfect record, averaging 3.7 goals in the process, but do possess a nasty habit of drawing once at the tournament. The Azzurri having done so more often (16, 8 of which were goalless stalemates) than any team in history.
This is not a team likely to be overawed though. Turkey went unbeaten across their pair of head-to-head matches with France in qualifying, conceding only once. Meanwhile, since securing their place at these finals, Senol Gunes’ charges have lost only two of fourteen internationals (W5 D7) – holding their own in 3-3 draws with both Croatia and Germany as well as putting four past the Netherlands in March.
Italy – Azzurri peaking as opening game approaches?
The gloom that engulfed Italian football in 2018, when reduced to a watching brief for that summer’s World Cup, has been replaced with cautious optimism ahead of their tenth EURO finals participation. Instead the Azzurri come into the tournament in high spirits, on a lengthy unbeaten run, and with the potential of becoming a two-time European champion. They were inaugural winners in 1968.
Much of the credit for this dramatic transformation in such a short space of time goes to former Inter Milan and Man City manager Roberto Mancini. Since assuming the reins of the national set-up in May 2018, the Azzurri have only tasted defeated on two occasions. The first of those to a French side who, within a matter of weeks, would become world cup winners. The second to reigning European champions Portugal.
The strength of this team resides in its collective. As many as 40 different players were handed pitch time during a qualifying campaign that yielded a perfect record (W10) and a scoring average of nearly four a game. However, those expecting more swashbuckling football could be left disappointed: the Italians have never scored more than twice in 38 matches at the European Championship finals.
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Turkey Vs Italy Betting Advice
With the venue for the opening match at EURO 2020 being the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, the Italians already boast the upper hand. The Azzurri have never lost at a major tournament when playing at this ground (W6 D2), so are well fancied by the bookmakers to continue their scintillating form which has seen them record eight consecutive wins coming into the tournament (all without conceding a goal).
Turkey Vs Italy – Key Facts:
- The last two meetings ended in 1-1 draws (2002 and 2006). Although Italy rallied to win the only previous encounter at a European Championship, winning the opening game of EURO 2000 2-1.
- Turkey qualified with the best defensive record in the competition (0.3 conceded per game). They arrive at the tournament unbeaten in six matches (W4).
- Italy didn’t drop a point during qualification. They are currently on a 27-match unbeaten run, winning each of the last eight without conceding a goal.
Can the Italians be relied upon though? In 38 matches at EURO finals, they have certainly drawn their fair share (16). Moreover, Turkey demonstrated in qualifying that they can keep encounters tight. Meanwhile, since confirming their place at the finals, the Crescent Stars have lost only twice in fourteen outings – including scoring 3, 3 and 4 in impressive showings against Croatia, Germany and Netherlands.
Best Betting Odds – Turkey Vs Italy
Turkey – 13/2 (Betfair)
Draw – 3/1 (BetFred)
Italy – 8/15 (BetVictor)
