Europe EURO 2020 - Semifinals, July 6-7

[spkutano]

 

[Giresse]

is there really any big doubt that Italy and England are favourites? I mean, take nothing away from the odds bookies are giving Italy, but if you check Spain's matches, you'll notice that they're not any great side! I think Spain made it this far out of mere luck! If they qualify against Italy, I'll have to consider betting on other sports.

 

[spkutano]

Italy vs Spain Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Italy:
Donnarumma; Florenzi, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne

Spain:
Unai Simón; Azpilicueta, Garcia, Laporte, Alba; Koke, Busquets, Pedri; Moreno, Morata, Olmo

Italy and Spain face in a titanic Euro 2020 semi-final at Wembley after eliiminating Belgium and Switzerland in their quarter-final ties. Spain have dominated in the new millennium with their tiki-taka way of playing. The Red Fury swept Italy aside 4:0 in the final of the European Championship in 2012, but the balance of power has shifted a little since. The Azzurri have won the last 13 international matches, and the players confidence is very high. It is important to be mentioned that Italy have eliminated Spain in the round of 16 on the previous EURO in 2016. The latest clash between the two had ended in a 3:0 win for Spain, and it had taken place in 2017.

Italy are fantastic so far. They have played five matches at EURO and won all of them. The good defense is the key for success, they are yet to concede from open play during the regular 90 minutes. The Azzurri beat Turkey, Switzerland and Wales in the group. Austria were the first opponents in the knock-out stage. It was a tight encounter in which the Austrians came very close to the victory as Marko Arnautovic scored a header in the finish of the regular time, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR check for offside. The extra-time brought extra excitement, but Italians deserved the victory thanks to the goals scored by the substitutes Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina. Austria pulled a goal back through Sasa Kalajdzic, but that was all they did. In the quarterfinals Italy outplayed the World No 1 - Belgium. Nicolo Barella wriggled through three defenders before drilling in the opener and Lorenzo Insigne ran from the halfway line before curling in one of the most beautiful goals of the tournament. Belgium were given hope in the finish of the first half when Giovanni di Lorenzo fouled Jeremy Doku and Romelu Lukaku scored the penalty. Both sides had plenty of chances to score again in the second half, but with no goals it was the Azzurri who progressed. That was their 32nd match without defeat - a new national team record. But they paid a high prize - winger Leonardo Spinazzola suffered a severe Achilles injury and he is expected to be sidelined for at least six months. The absence of Spinazzola is a big handicap for Mancini, but even bigger for Roma coach Jose Mourinho.

Spain are three-time European Champions, winning the competition in 1964, 2008 and 2012. But this Spanish team are not strong as they were 10-15 years ago. La Roja weren't at desired level in the group. In the opening match they played a goalless draw with Sweden, while in the second match played an 1:1 draw with Poland. Just two points and just one scored goal wasn't good enough and coach Luis Enrique came under pressure, as well as his players. But then Spain exploded, beating Slovakia with 5:0. A bizarre own goal from Martin Dubravka broke the deadlock in Seville. Aymeric Laporte doubled the lead in the first half, while Pablo Sarabia and Ferran Torres made it 4:0. Juraj Kucka set the final 5:0 with another own-goal. In the quarterfinals Spain eliminated Switzerland on penalties. During the regular time Spain took the advantage after another opponents' own-goal. Denis Zakaria deflected Jordi Alba's shot into his own net to give Spain an early lead. Swiss captain Xherdan Shaqiri equalized the result in the 68th minute, but his team-mate Remo Freuler was sent off nine minutes later. Spaian failed to capitalize one-man advantage and the match ended with an 1:1 draw after the regular 90 minutes. There were no goals in the extra time, so the match went to penalties. Spain - who missed two penalties in the shootout - did just enough to scrape through. The atmosphere in the squad is good, while the players confidence is higher. Enrique has two injury issues ahead of this match. Pablo Sarabia will probably miss the game through injury. His absence is a huge handicap as the 29-year-old PSG winger has scored two goals and provided two assists. Aymeric Laporte trained separately on Saturday, but should be fit enough to start.

Italy vs Spain Prediction:

I expect Under 2.5 goals here. Both coaches will not risk too much. Italy played a fantastic defense, the are yet to concede from open play in the regular 90 minutes. Spain, meanwhile, are not scoring easy like previous. Somebody may argue with me as the Red Fury netted more goals than any other side at Euro 2020. But 10 of those 12 goals were scored in two "crazy" games, against Croatia and Slovakia. The other three matches have produced just two goals by Enrique's men. I think this match will finish with less than three goals.

Italy vs Spain Pick: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.67 with Pinnacle

 

[ALEXXXXXXX]

is there really any big doubt that Italy and England are favourites? I mean, take nothing away from the odds bookies are giving Italy, but if you check Spain's matches, you'll notice that they're not any great side! I think Spain made it this far out of mere luck! If they qualify against Italy, I'll have to consider betting on other sports.

I think that will end in a 1-1 or 0-0 draw at least in 90 minutes.

 

[BET-IBC1]

We are almost there at the end. Two great matches to be played today and tomorrow:

Italy vs Spain
England vs Denmark

Previous stages proved that anything can happen. We watched all the tournament favorites be gone one by one: Germany, France, Portugal, Belgium... Now with these 4 teams left, which one will be strong or lucky enough to advance to the finals?

With more than 15 members, our tipster team is ready to serve you their predictions of this match. You can find it all on our sponsored thread:
https://www.betting-forum.com/threads/euro-2020-match-predictions.35950/

 

[Giresse]

I think that will end in a 1-1 or 0-0 draw at least in 90 minutes.

great prediction there Alex! Sad england did not won the match!

 

[spkutano]

Excellent pick from Alex