Italy can make it three consecutive wins in Group C of the European World Cup qualifiers as they travel to the Vilniaus LFF Stadionas for a clash against Lithuania. The hosts are winless in the competition and should be no match for the Italians.
Italy earned a 2-0 victory in Bulgaria in their previous outing in the qualifiers. Andrea Belotti opened the scoring from the spot two minutes before the break while Manuel Locatelli added the second 10 minutes from time.
The win means Roberto Mancini’s men have now won their last five matches, a run stretching back to November. That run has been driven by a solid defence as they have kept clean sheets in all five matches.
Italy are just as impressive on their travels, winning nine of their last 10 away matches and keeping eight clean sheets in that run.
Lithuania are coming off a 1-0 defeat against Switzerland last time out in the qualifiers. They were no match for the Swiss team and offered little attacking threat, finishing with just a single attempt on target throughout the 90 minutes.
It was the second straight match without a win or a goal for the Lithuanians having also lost 4-0 in a friendly with Kosovo prior to the clash in Switzerland. Their form has been generally poor lately with three defeats in their last four matches.
Valdas Urbonas’ men have also found things difficult at home with just two wins in 15 matches. They suffered a 5-1 defeat to Portugal while also losing 3-0 against Ukraine.
How the bookies view it?
Italy are considered overwhelming favourites by the bookies and are priced at 2/15 by Unibet to earn the win. A win for Lithuania is set at odds of 28/1 by BetVictor while SBK is offering 9/1 for a draw.
The Italians have too much quality for Lithuania and should ease to a comfortable victory.
Head to head
Italy have a fine record in this fixture with four wins and two draws form six previous matches against Lithuania. The Italians ran out 2-0 winners in the last meeting between both teams during the Euro 2008 qualifiers.
Players to watch
Italy have shown their attacking range in these qualifiers with strikers Andrea Belotti and Ciro Immobile already among the goals. Unibet has Immobile at 13/20 to score anytime while bet365 is offering 4/5 on Andrea Belotti in the same market.
Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci have been pivotal to Italy’s solid defensive record and will be confident of leading the team to another clean sheet at 8/15 with SpreadEX.
Anything else catch the eye?
With Italy priced at minimal odds by the bookies, a win/score double could provide some value. Andrea Belotti to score and Italy to win is valued at 5/6 by Skybet while the Italians could also be backed to win both halves at evens with William Hill.
A -2 handicap could be in play for Italy on Wednesday at 21/20 with Unibet. The Italians could also be backed to be leading after 15 minutes at 12/5 with William Hill.
This World Cup match between Lithuania and Italy will be played on Mar 31, 2021 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Lithuania vs Italy prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
