Italy vs Spain Prediction, Betting Tips & Preview

Preview

Joel Amorim Jun 26, 2016 @ 02:38 am

Next Monday, 27th of June 2016, the current European champions Spain will measure forces with Antonio Conte’s Italy at Stade de France in Saint-Denis of Euro 2016 Round of 16.

Spain’s tiki-taka wasn’t enough to overcome a mighty and well organized Croatia last time out. The defeat against the Balkans’ team pushed Spain into the second place of their group and now they will have to overcome Italy in order to grant a place in the next stage of the tournament.

La Roja started the match against Croatia off on the right foot, thanks to an Álvaro Morata goal on minute 7’. Nevertheless, things change quickly in football and Croatia did not lower their arms after that early goal. Just before the break, Fiorentina’s striker Nikola Kalinic leveled the score and, with just three minutes to go before the final whistle, Ivan Perisic netted the winning goal, leaving everyone completely stranded on the stands. Along the way, Sergio Ramos missed a penalty that could have given Spain the three points.

For the predictably complicated match against Italy, Vicente del Bosque will probably have all the players at disposal, since by now there aren’t any names on the team’s injury list.

As for Italy, the Squadra Azzurra was caught by surprise by a hard working Irish team that managed to put an end to Antonio Conte’s team recent winning streak. A late goal by Brady cost Italy a painful defeat, but they still managed to finish their group in the first place.

Italy defeated Belgium and Sweden before being overcome by the Republic of Ireland, but one must not forget that Antonio Conte implemented several changes in the team for that match, since Italy had already secured a place in the Round 16 before the match started.

For difficult upcoming fixture against the current European Champions, Antonio Conte is not yet certain if he will be able to rely on the services of Antonio Candreva, Federico Bernardeschi and Stefano Sturaro, who are all recovering from recent injuries. Candreva, who is still struggling with a complicated leg injury, will probably miss out there.

Italy

Stats: W-4 L-1 D-0

Recent Form - LWWWW

Spain

Stats: W-3 L-2 D-0

Recent Form - LWWLW

Possible Line-ups

Italy (3-5-2) – Buffon - Barzagli - Bonucci - Chiellini - Sturaro - Florenzi - De Rossi - Parolo - Giaccherini - Pelle - Éder

Spain (4-3-3) – De Gea - Juanfran - Ramos - Piqué - Alba - Busquets - Iniesta - Fabregas - Nolito - Silva - Morata

Injury List / Suspended Players

Italy - Sturaro (in doubt) - Candreva (in doubt) - Bernardeschi (in doubt)

Spain - None

Head-to-head matches:

League Positions