Belgium vs Italy Predictions

• Italy have 10 points from four Nations League games.
• Belgium have just one win in their last six games (D2, L3).
• Italy have gone seven games without a clean sheet.

In-form Italy can raid Belgium

Italy sit top of Nations League League A Group 2 and face Belgium on Thursday before hosting second-place France on Sunday.

The Azzurri have 10 points to Les Bleus’ nine, with De Rode Duivels on four and Israel bottom of the pool on one.

Luciano Spalletti’s side look to have moved on from the trauma of their last 16 exit at the Euros and Thursday’s match in Brussels looks like an excellent opportunity to confirm their place in March’s quarter-finals.

An opening win in France was followed by two victories against Israel, with a 2-2 draw with the Belgians sandwiched between.

That point and a win over the Israelis is all Belgium have been able to muster and while the talent is clearly there, the relationship between the senior players and boss Domenico Tedesco remains uneasy.

The Italians can take advantage but are yet to keep a clean sheet. However, despite their defensive flaws, they can call on in-form striker Mateo Retegui.

Retegui has netted twice in this competition, including in October’s 2-2 draw.

The 25-year-old has scored 11 goals in 12 appearances for new club Atalanta and is worth backing to grab a goal at the Stade Roi Baudouin.

With Retegui in form, backing Italy for a 3-1 win looks a handy correct score bet. The Azzurri triumphed by that scoreline in France and Belgium’s failure to keep a clean sheet in their last five makes them vulnerable