Italy and Belgium, two prominent European football teams, are set to kick off their Nations League campaigns this Friday night at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
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Prediction: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: BetUS
Italy
Beginning with the hosts, Italy is facing significant pressure after failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup this summer. The Azzurri’s disappointing exit on March 31st, due to a penalty shootout loss against Bosnia & Herzegovina, has left fans demanding improvement. With Roberto Mancini back at the helm, Italy is eager to start anew. Despite their painful World Cup qualifying campaign, the team has only lost once in regular time over their last 11 matches across all competitions, a streak dating back to June 2025.
Italy Team News
Defender Federico Dimarco has had to withdraw from Mancini’s squad due to fitness issues, and Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante is also sidelined with a muscle problem.
Italy’s captain, Gianluigi Donnarumma, now in his second season with Manchester City, will earn his 84th cap in Rome, while Sandro Tonali is expected to start in midfield despite a challenging start at Tottenham.
Belgium
On the other hand, Belgium reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in July and can take many positives from their largely successful summer in North America. Their only setback was a narrow 2-1 defeat against Spain, the eventual champions, during the tournament. With the appointment of Mark van Bommel, Belgium is eager to embark on a new journey and aims for a strong Nations League performance this season. That loss against Spain remains their only defeat in the last 19 matches across all competitions.
Belgium Team News
Romelu Lukaku, recently transferred to Fenerbahce, has made the squad under van Bommel, while Kevin De Bruyne is set to earn his 124th international cap. Chelsea’s Romeo Lavia, who is having a strong start to the season, is likely to feature in midfield, and Manchester United’s goalkeeper Senne Lammens will start despite seeking his first clean sheet of the season.
Key Considerations for Italy vs Belgium
- In their last Nations League encounter in November 2024, Italy won 1-0 in Brussels.
- Italy remains unbeaten in their last five matches against Belgium across all competitions, with four wins and one draw.
- Belgium’s exit at the hands of Spain was their only loss in their previous 19 matches, spanning all competitions.
- Italy has not lost within 90 minutes in their last 11 matches across all competitions, dating back to June 2025.
- In five of Belgium’s World Cup matches in North America, both teams scored.
Conclusion
Having secured a 1-0 win in their previous Nations League match against Belgium, Italy will be keen to leverage their favorable recent record. As the Azzurri look to commence their Group A campaign on a positive note, Belgium is also buoyed from their North American performance. Given that five of Belgium’s six World Cup matches ended with both sides scoring, a similar outcome is anticipated at the Stadio Olimpico.
Prediction: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: BetUS
Fan Take: This matchup is significant for soccer fans as it showcases two storied teams eager to reset their trajectories after disappointing World Cup exits. A thrilling battle not only engages spectators but also shapes the landscape of international football heading into future competitions.
Source: www.soccernews.com
