Euro 2016 preview and odds: Belgium vs Italy

Published on: 13/06/2016

Euro 2016 preview and odds: Belgium vs Italy

Stade de Lyon, Lyon - June 13, 2016

Group stage - Group E

One of the most mouth-watering Euro 2016 group stage clashes will see Europe`s highest-ranked team Belgium go in search of their first competitive win against Italy since 1972.

Europe`s number one team hoping to live up to expectations

In Euro 2000, Marc Wilmots and Antonio Conte faced each other on the field of play as Italy beat Belgium 2-0 at the group stage. The two will now face each other as coaches with Wilmot`s Belgium looking for their first win over Italy in over 40 years.

Belgium drew with Italy to reach the final of this event at the host`s expense back in 1980. However, they have not appeared in the Euro finals since 2000. Despite their lack of recent experience at this event, they still come here with high expectations having shot up the world rankings.

Meanwhile, Italy are appearing in their ninth European Championship and their sixth in a row. They won the event back in 1968 and have twice been runners-up - in 2000 and 2012. Notably, they have not won their opening game at any of the last three Euro tournaments.

Conte`s men were one of only four teams to qualify for this event without losing a game - England, Austria and Romania being the others. In total, they have played a record 30 Euro qualifying matches in a row without defeat.

Form (all competitions):

Belgium: WDWLWWWWWL

Italy: WWLDDLWWWW

Betting predictions

This game should be a real treat as two teams with very different styles attempt to gain the upper hand in Group E. Italy may attempt to neutralise the attacking threat of their opponents by adopting a more forward-thinking approach themselves - something that Conte mastered during his time as a club coach in Italy.

A close game can be expected with Both Teams likely to score.

You can back Both Teams to Score at 11/10 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 13/06/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (13/06/2016 12:44:25) but are subject to change.