Italy v Spain betting tips: Azzurri favourites for Nations League semi
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Italy v Spain betting tips and odds
The Nations League reaches a conclusion this week when European champions Italy host Spain in the semi-finals on Wednesday followed a day later by the clash between Belgium and France.
The championship match is due to played at the San Siro on Sunday night, with a third-place play-off taking place in the afternoon.
Roberto Mancini’s men are the 6/5 favourites to win inside 90 minutes in Milan, so let’s look at the markets and odds in our Italy v Spain betting tips.
Match Odds
Wednesday’s clash is a repeat of the Euro 2020 semi-final which Italy won in a penalty shoot-out after the match had finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.
Another draw is priced at 21/10 and goals thrown in is available at 10/3, while Italy and Spain are both 10/1 to win on penalties once again.
The Azzurri, of course, extended their record unbeaten run to 38 games with a 5-0 victory over Lithuania in World Cup qualifying, but both teams have been patchy since the European Championship finals.
We caught up with Federico #Bernardeschi ahead of the semi-final 🗣️⤵️#ITAESP #NationsLeague #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/nUwnHVIrbc
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) October 5, 2021
Italy were surprisingly held by Bulgaria in their first match since beating England in a penalty shoot-out in the Euro 2020 final which they followed with a 0-0 draw against Switzerland in a match they dominated.
Spain, meanwhile, lost 2-1 to Sweden which means automatic qualification for the World Cup is out of their hands, although they bounced back to beat Georgia and Kosovo 4-0 and 2-0 respectively.
Three of the last five meetings between these nations have ended 1-1 which can be backed at 19/4 and five of the last seven have been goalless at half-time, available at 13/10.
Both teams to score, as they did in July, is 19/20, while Draw HT/Italy FT is 19/5 in our Italy v Spain betting tips.
Talking Tactics
Both teams have injury concerns with Lazio striker Ciro Immobile replaced by Juventus forward Moise Kean, who could lead the line supported by Federico Chiesa and Lorenzo Insigne.
Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci will form a key central defensive partnership, so Spain will have to be at their incisive best to get past those two stalwarts.
Spain’s injury problems are much worse, with Euro 2020 stars Alvaro Morata, Dani Olmo, Pedri and Thiago Alcantara all absent.
Tottenham winger Bryan Gil has replaced injured Atletico Madrid star Marcos Llorente in a squad containing Premier League players David de Gea, Ferran Torres, Rodri, Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta amongst others.
Goalscorer Odds
Chiesa scored the opening goal six months ago and is 13/2 to repeat the trick or 14/5 to find the net any time.
Kean was taken off at half-time in Juventus’ 1-0 win at Torino at the weekend and is 5/1 and 23/10 in the two markets, but Sassuolo striker Giacomo Raspadori could get the nod and is the same odds as Chiesa.
Insigne has bagged a couple of goals for Napoli this season and is available at 11/2 and 13/5 in our Italy v Spain betting tips.
Mikel Oyarzabal has been in sparkling form for Sociedad with six goals in eight appearances and is 11/2 to get the game’s opening goal for Spain or 12/5 to get on the scoresheet.
Manchester City striker Torres has not got off the bench for his club in recent weeks, but is 6/1 and 13/5 in the two markets, while Gil is 10/1 and 9/2.
Match Info
Where: San Siro
When: 19:45, Wednesday 6th October
How to watch: Sky Sports
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
