Spain vs Italy: La Roja and Azzurri again hard to split
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Spain vs Italy: La Roja and Azzurri again hard to split

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Odds: Spain 4/5, Draw 12/5, Italy 7/2

Kick Off: 1945, 02/09/2017

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu

TV: Sky Sports

Spain and Italy are deadlocked at the top of World Cup qualifying Group D and this Madrid clash could well decide which team secures an automatic trip to Russia 2018.

La Roja are ahead on goal difference and appear to have a pretty straightforward run-in, with Liechtenstein, Albania and Israel their final three opponents.

That could leave the hosts content to settle for a draw here, so 12/5 for that result is a value pick for our Spain vs Italy betting predictions.

A Look At Spain’s Betting Odds

Spain dominated possession when securing a share of the spoils in Turin last October, with Vitolo’s 55th-minute equaliser eventually cancelled out by a late Daniele de Rossi penalty.

That was the fourth stalemate between these sides in seven encounters over the past five years and a similar pattern of play is expected at the Bernabeu.

Home advantage may tempt many punters into siding with La Roja but they do have issues up front, with Diego Costa absent and Vitolo pulling out through injury.

Julen Lopetegui can still call on the likes of Alvaro Morata, Isco and Marco Asensio for attacking flair but a recall for David Villa highlights how preparations have not been ideal.

Looking at the Spain vs Italy odds, we like 23/4 for another 1-1 draw.

A Look At Italy’s Betting Odds

Italy were far from convincing in the early stages of this qualifying campaign, with a stoppage-time strike from Ciro Immobile needed to edge out Macedonia 3-2 in Skopje.

The Azzurri also required a couple of penalties to see off Albania 2-0 in Palermo back in March and head coach Gian Piero Ventura has caused a stir with some of his squad omissions.

Nevertheless, Italy haven’t lost a World Cup or European qualifier since September 2006 and they will once again be difficult to break down on Saturday night.

Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi said: “They’re the favourites but we’re not going there as sacrificial lambs, we’re aware that we can do something.

“In recent years, Spain have shone brightly in front of the world, but we’re also coming into this game off the back of some good performances, especially against them, which gives us courage and confidence.

“Ours is a young team, with a good dose of personality, and we’ve always shown that we know what to do on the pitch.

“I dream of playing at my fourth World Cup, it would be the final one for me and a great adventure if I can experience it with this wonderful group.”

We’re rounding off our Spain vs Italy betting tips by taking 18/5 for the scores to be level at half-time and full-time.

Additional stats

Last result:

Macedonia 1-2 SPAIN – David Silva, Diego Costa

ITALY 5-0 Liechtenstein – Lorenzo Insigne, Andrea Belotti, Eder, Federico Bernardeschi, Manolo Gabbiadini

Head-to-head: Italy 1-1 Spain, Italy 2-0 Spain, Italy 1-1 Spain, Spain 1-0 Italy, Spain 0-0 Italy, Spain 4-0 Italy

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Best bets for Spain vs Italy

Match to be drawn @ 12/5

Correct score of 1-1 @ 23/5

Draw at half-time and full-time @ 18/5

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