Euro 2024: Italy VS Albania - Prediction

Defending Champions Italy are all set to start their mission in Euro 2024 tonight as they will face Albania tonight at Signal Iduna Park. Italy Have been going through a lot of ups and downs in recent years. After failing to qualify for the World Cup in 2018, Italy made a Great comeback and won the UEFA Euro in 2021. But one year later, the Azzurri failed to qualify for the World Cup for the second consecutive time! Consequently, manager Roberto Mancini was sacked and replaced by Luciano Spalletti, who has brought Italy to the Euro 2024. "Coming to the tournament as defending champions is an advantage. But we need to understand Straight away that we need to behave like defending champions. We need to convince ourselves, not only the fans. In a way, we are facing ourselves, not the outside world. We need to show what we Are made of, to show what we have inside," Said Italy boss Luciano Spalletti In the pre-match press conference .

Stats&Facts

• Italy Have won all their four meetings with Albania, where they scored 7 goals and conceded only one. However, tonight's clash will be their first meeting in a major tournament.
• Italy have participated in 10 events of the UEFA Euro, winning the tournament twice. Only Germany and Spain have won more titles than Italy.
• If Italy can win the Euro 2024, they will be the only second team to win the title for successive events. Only Spain hold this record by winning the Euro in 2008 and 2012.
• Italy have been maintaining a solid defense. They conceded only six goals in the entire previous two events of the Euro.
• Italy did not concede more than one goal in a match in their last two participation in this competition!

Team News

Defenders Francesco Acerbi and Giorgio Scalvini were withdrawn from the preliminary squad due to their injuries. As a result, Bologna's defender Riccardo Calafiori is likely to play with Alessandro Bastoni in the heart of Italy's defense. A suspension for involving in betting activity saw Sandro Tonali missing the tournament, while Domenico Berardi, Destiny Udogie, and Nicolo Zaniolo are unavailable due to their respective injuries. Possible Lineup for Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni, Dimarco; Jorginho, Barella; Frattesi, Pellegrini, Chiesa; Scamacca Possible Lineup for Albania: E. Berisha; Hysaj, Ismajli, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Asllani, Ramadani; Asani, Bajrami, Seferi; Broja

Prediction: Italy 2-0 Albania

Italy have a rock-solid defense that can deny opponent's attacks. Italy's defensive records in the Euro have been impressive, As they conceded only six goals in the previous two editions. On the other hand, players like Scamacca and Federico Chiesa can break Albania's defense at any time to give Italy an early lead.

Betfair Odds

Italy: 1.34 Draw: 5.09 Albania: 11.45 Visit BFB247 To get real-time Betfair Odds and an exclusive 2.5% commission on winning bets!