The classic of not just the European but also world’s football takes place this Wednesday at the Gewiss stadium in Bergamo. The teams in the main roles, Italy on one, and the Netherlands on the other side.
- Where: Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy
- When: Wednesday, October 14, 2:45 pm ET
- How to Watch: ESPN 2
Italy vs. Netherlands Preview
The Italians defeated the Netherlands in their meeting last month, but we have to say that Azzuri caught Oranje off guard then, due to all the problems they faced. At that time, Ronald Koeman decided to quit his job as the national coach to accept a position in Barcelona, and the atmosphere in the team wasn’t good. Meanwhile, Italy doesn’t have too many troubles, as they currently ride on an 18-game unbeaten streak.
Italy vs. Netherlands Odds
| Italy | Draw | Netherlands |
| -110 | +250 | +290 |
Italy Looking Impregnable
The Italians allowed only six goals during the above-mentioned streak, and recorded 14 wins. However, the last game they played ended with a draw against Poland that didn’t saw goals. But that was perfectly suitable for the Italians who are still at the top of the UEFA Nations League Group 1, with five points in three games and a 2-1 goal difference.
Italy didn’t win just once in the last eight games when playing on their own soil, and that event was against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is a great surprise. They would previously defeat the same opponents in the EURO qualifiers, but Mancini’s boys just didn’t have their day back in September.
Mancini will start in 4-3-3 formation, with the European Golden Boot upfront, Ciro Immobile, young Federico Chiesa and Stephan El Shaarwy.
Oranje Still Wobbling
It seems that Koeman’s action did a lot of damage to the locker room. Eversince he jumped to Catalonia, the team is playing awful, even though the Netherlands has some of the world’s best players. Just think of it, Virgil Van Dijk, Wijnaldum, Depay, De Jong, etc.
Oranje didn’t score in three straight matches, and that is something we’ve haven’t witnessed in a long time. Even when they lost in the previous years, the Netherlands would at least play efficient matches, which isn’t the case now.
The most recent blow came against Bosnia and Herzegovina on the road, 0-0. Before that clash, Frank De Boer began his adventure as the new head coach with a minimal loss at home against Mexico in the friendly international.
Head to Head Matches
Italians like to play against the Netherlands, as they lost just three games in 22 played so far. Azzurri have 11 wins, and 8 matches ended without winners. The latest one took place on September 7 in Amsterdam, with Nicolo Barella scored the only goal. Inter’s forward did that in the first minute of the injury time of the first half.
Prediction
Odds in Italy to win here are +100, and they are going down at the moment, which means that we need to react fast. We will suggest staking your money on the host’s triumph, as they appear in much better shape than the visitors who are still searching for the light at the end of the tunnel after everything that happened to them.
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