Italy will be bidding to make it three wins from three in the Nations League when they face Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday night.
After crashing out of Euro 2024 with a lacklustre showing against Switzerland in the round of 16, Luciano Spalletti’s side kicked off their Nations League campaign with a stunning 3-1 victory over France in Paris.
The Azzurri followed up on that success three days later with a 2-1 victory over Israel in Budapest.
That pair of victories has put the Italians top of Group A2, and they will now look to tighten their stranglehold on top spot by banking three points against Belgium.
As for Belgium, they hit the ground running with a 3-1 win over Israel before falling to a 2-0 defeat away at France.
As such, Domenico Tedesco’s team will be looking to bounce back by claiming top honours in the Italian capital on Thursday night.
How the bookies view it: Italy to get job done
Italy are odds-on 20/23 favourites with Betano to make it three wins on the spin in Nations League Group A2.
Belgium are big outsiders at 11/4 on Betano while a share of the Stadio Olimpico spoils has been priced up at 12/5 with the same firm.
Head to head: Italy tend to triumph
Italy have come out on top in five of their last six clashes with Belgium. In fact, the Azzurri have reigned supreme in 16 of the overall 24 meetings between the pair, with Belgium winning just four, while the other four ended all square.
Players to watch: Fratessi to fire again?
Davide Frattesi got himself on the scoresheet in each of Italy’s opening two Nations League victories. The Inter Milan man is as big as 19/5 (UniBet) to make the net bulge against Belgium on Thursday night.
Lois Openda has four goals in six Bundesliga appearances for RB Leipzig this season. The Belgium forward is 3/1 (UniBet) for an anytime strike at the Stadio Olimpico.
Predicted line-ups
Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori missed Italy's 2-1 win over Israel on matchday two but he is back in the squad for Thursday’s fixture with Belgium.
Belgium captain Kevin de Bruyne is set to miss both of his country's forthcoming fixtures as he continues to recover from a thigh injury, while all-time top goalscorer Romelu Lukaku is also ruled out.
Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo,, Bastoni; Calafiori Cambiaso, Ricci, Tonali, Frattesi, Dimarco; Raspadori, Retegui
Belgium: Casteels, Theate, Faes, Debast, Castagne,Mangala, Tielemens, Lukebakio, Trossard, Doku, Openda
Anything else catch the eye?
Backing both teams to get on the scoresheet in Rome on Thursday night stands out at 4/5 on Betfred.
BTTS would have been a winning bet in three of the pair’s combined four matches in the Nations League thus far.
Elsewhere, Belgium look like an appealing option to hit over three corners during this contest at 5/6 with Bet 365.
The Red Devils have racked up seven flag-kicks in each of their opening two Group A2 assignments, so a minimum of four looks entirely plausible when they head to the Eternal City.
This UEFA Nations League match between Italy and Belgium will be played on Oct 10, 2024 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Italy vs Belgium prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
