Belgium vs Italy: Belgium hosts Italy in an exciting UEFA Nations League clash at Stade Roi Baudouin in Brussels on November 14, 2024. Both teams will be eager to secure a win in what promises to be an intense encounter.
Head-to-Head
In their last 11 encounters:
- Belgium Wins: 1
- Draws: 1
- Italy Wins: 4
Last 3 Meetings
- October 11, 2024 – UEFA Nations League: Italy 2-2 Belgium
- October 10, 2021 – UEFA Nations League: Italy 2-1 Belgium
- July 3, 2021 – Euro 2024: Belgium 1-2 Italy
Italy remains unbeaten in their last three meetings, with two wins and a recent 2-2 draw, reflecting a competitive edge in this matchup.
Belgium vs Italy Standings
League A, Group 2
- Italy – 10 points (3 wins, 1 draw, 11:5 goals)
- France – 9 points
- Belgium – 4 points (1 win, 1 draw, 2 losses, 6:7 goals)
- Israel – 0 points
Form
Belgium
- Nations League: W-L-D-L
- All Competitions: D-L-W-L-D-L
Italy
- Nations League: W-W-D-W
- All Competitions: D-L-W-W-D-W
Italy’s recent form is significantly stronger, giving them momentum for this critical match.
Belgium vs Italy Lineups
Belgium Starting XI
Formation: 4-3-3
Casteels; Castagne, Debast, Faes, Theate; Mangala, Onana, Vermeeren; Bakayoko, Lukaku, Trossard
Italy Starting XI
Formation: 3-5-2
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Raspadori, Retegui
Key Players
- Belgium: Romelu Lukaku, Leandro Trossard, Onana
- Italy: Giacomo Raspadori, Sandro Tonali, Gianluigi Donnarumma
Lukaku’s experience and goal-scoring ability make him a key player for Belgium, while Italy’s midfield dynamo Tonali and goalkeeper Donnarumma are expected to play pivotal roles.
10 Key Stats
- Italy leads Belgium 6-2 in wins over their last 11 meetings.
- Italy scores 27% of their goals between the 61st and 75th minutes.
- Italy is unbeaten in their last 4 games.
- Belgium has conceded in each of their last 5 matches.
- Italy has conceded a goal in their last 8 games.
- Belgium wins the first half in 42% of their matches; Italy in 50%.
- The last meeting ended in a 2-2 draw.
- Belgium has a 100% win rate when leading 1-0 at home.
- Italy has a 100% win rate when leading 0-1 away.
- Italy’s performance in the Nations League is better than Belgium’s.
Belgium vs Italy Prediction
Prediction: Italy 2-1 Belgium
Based on Italy’s current form and their favorable head-to-head record, they are likely to edge out Belgium in a close encounter, with their solid midfield and attack giving them a slight advantage.
SWOT Analysis: Belgium vs Italy
Belgium
Strengths
- Strong Home Scoring Record: Belgium scores 2.12 goals per game on average when playing at home, which could provide an edge against Italy.
- Experienced Attack: With players like Romelu Lukaku, Belgium boasts a solid forward line capable of creating scoring opportunities.
- Possession: Belgium maintains 56% possession on average, reflecting a good midfield structure and control over games.
Weaknesses
- Defensive Instability: Belgium has conceded in each of their last five matches and has a negative goal difference in the current group (6:7), indicating vulnerability in defense.
- Struggles in Recent Form: With just one win and one draw in their last four games, Belgium’s recent form is inconsistent.
- Low Win Rate Against Italy: Italy has outperformed Belgium in head-to-head matches, with Belgium winning only two of the last 11 encounters.
Opportunities
- Home Advantage: Playing at Stade Roi Baudouin could be advantageous, given Belgium’s record of converting scoring opportunities at home.
- Exploit Italy’s Defensive Gaps: Italy has also shown some defensive lapses, conceding in each of their last eight matches, which Belgium could capitalize on.
- Key Players Stepping Up: If Lukaku, Trossard, and others perform to their potential, Belgium could leverage their attacking strength.
Threats
- Italy’s Solid Form: Italy is unbeaten in the Nations League this season, showing better overall performance and stability.
- Italy’s Strength in Key Moments: Italy scores a significant portion of its goals between the 61st-75th minutes, suggesting that Belgium needs to be extra cautious in the second half.
- Low Recovery Rate When Trailing: Belgium has shown difficulty in overcoming deficits, with a low win rate when falling behind, which could be problematic if Italy scores early.
Italy
Strengths
- Consistent Form: Italy is undefeated in the current Nations League group with three wins and a draw, showing strong performance and momentum.
- Effective Goal Scoring: Italy has scored 11 goals in the group stage, the highest in their group, indicating a potent offense.
- Key Scoring Window: Italy scores 27% of their goals between the 61st-75th minutes, demonstrating strategic second-half execution and fitness.
Weaknesses
- Defensive Vulnerabilities: Italy has conceded in each of their last eight matches, pointing to a need for improvement in their defensive structure.
- Lower Average Possession: At 53% possession, Italy maintains less control over the game than Belgium, which could affect their ability to dominate play.
- Shot Accuracy: Italy averages fewer shots (11.3) compared to Belgium (15.3), suggesting they may have less firepower in open play.
Opportunities
- Exploit Belgium’s Defensive Weakness: Belgium’s tendency to concede could offer Italy the opportunity to score multiple goals, especially in the second half.
- Maintaining Lead Success: Italy has a strong track record when leading 1-0 away, maintaining 100% success in those situations, which could help them secure a win if they score first.
- Formidable Head-to-Head Record: Italy’s confidence from their historical success against Belgium could further motivate them.
Threats
- Belgium’s Strong Attack at Home: Belgium’s ability to score over two goals on average at home presents a challenge for Italy’s defense, which has been porous lately.
- Potential Fatigue in Key Players: Italy has had a demanding season, which could affect the stamina of players in a high-stakes away match.
- High-Pressure Situations: If Belgium manages to dominate possession and press high, Italy’s defense may struggle under sustained pressure.
Belgium vs Italy Livestream
- Live Telecast: Sony Sports Network in India
- Streaming: SonyLIV app and website
Catch the action live as these two European heavyweights clash in what promises to be an intense match in Brussels.
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