Spain v Italy Betting Preview – World Cup 2018 Qualifiers 2nd September
As expected you have a straight toss up between Spain and Italy at the top of Group G. They are level on points with four games to play and it is Spain who just edge things on goal difference. The two of them played out a draw in their first meeting in Italy, but maybe the Italians would see this as a huge chance to strike out for an advantage as they are well behind the Spaniards in that goal difference. A win for Italy is the only way that they get in the driving seat.
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Spain v Italy Betting Tips
What a game this should be with so much riding on it. The winner of this will probably win Group G. That is because Spain and Italy have equal W5 D1 records on the board in the group so far, with them having played out a 1-1 draw in Italy. So while they have been evenly matched, it is Spain who have a great chance because of home advantage in this second meeting, to take full control of the group. Spain have had a really easy time of home games in the group with them having taken wins over Israel 4-1, Macedonia 4-0 and Liechtenstein 8-0. Diego Costa is actually their top scorer in the group with five goals, but he’s out of the picture, so Alvaro Morata is a 5/4 Coral anytime goalscorer option with Iago Aspas at 7/4.
Spain have failed to take a win over Italy in any of their last three meetings now (D2 L1) but they have won their last two on home soil against them with a 1-0 scoreline. A Spain 1-0 correct score option at bet365 is trading at 9/2, the shortest priced option in the market. A repeat 1-1 draw is a 5/1 shot. Both teams have scored in just two of the last six meetings between the two of them and a flutter on both teams not to score for a price of 4/6 is probably a good option for this one. You have to take into consideration the high stakes in this one, whoever wins this will probably be booking the automatic qualification spot. So this is likely going to be tight and under 2.5 goals is a price of 8/15 and six of the last seven meetings between Spain and Italy have gone under the goal line.
So can the Italians produce a great performance out on the road and put some pressure on the Spaniards? They have pretty much matched Spain all the way and have only scored three goals fewer than Spain have in the group, so they have been doing just as well going forward. But they are four goals down on the goal difference to Spain so a draw here isn’t likely going to be enough for them because they would have to make that up somehow in their final three games of the campaign. Italy have taken a 3-1 win in Israel, a 3-2 win in Macedonia and a 4-0 win in Liechtenstein on their travels, so plenty of goals have been scored, but there will be some concern about those away goals which they have given up. Ciro Immobile is the top scorer for the Italians in the qualification campaign so far and he is a price of 10/3 in the anytime goalscorer market for this one with Andrea Belotti at 11/4. Can they produce a win to heap some pressure on Spain?
Spain v Italy Betting Odds
Spain 17/20, Draw 12/5, Italy 10/3
Spain v Italy Predictions
Draw: While a win for Italy would be tremendous for them, this is most likely going to end up being a draw. Italy will recognise the importance of not losing because that at least keeps their hopes alive of winning the group. So they will be their usual stubborn selves and can dig out a draw.
