Italy vs Austria
Italy vs Austria takes place on June 26 at Wembley Stadium in London in the round of 16 of Euro2020. Having won each of their group games in relative comfort, Italy now have to be seen as one of the form teams to go on and lift the trophy. They face an Austrian side whose 1-0 win over Ukraine in their final game saw them go through as runners-up. Read on for more analysis, match predictions and betting tips.
Form
It’s safe to say that Roberto Mancini’s Italy side are bang in form at the moment. Despite resting most of their team for the final game against Wales, Italy were 1-0 winners to finish the group with three wins and no goals conceded. Forward Ciro Immobile was rested for the final game which has seen him fall behind in the race for the Golden Boot and there is no doubt that the Lazio forward will want to make up for lost time in this one. It has been 13 years since these teams last met; and it’s been over 50 years and 13 games since the Azzurri lost to Austria. It’s hard to see that ending.
Austria came into their last game needing a win to progress against Ukraine and they got it thanks to a solitary goal from Hoffenheim midfielder Christoph Baumgartner. Unfancied before this tournament, Franco Foda’s team have managed to navigate their way into the knockout rounds for the first time in any tournament since they reached the second round of the 1982 World Cup. The win against Ukraine was only Austria’s third win and second clean sheet in eight games. It’s hard to see them getting anything more here.
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Injuries
A big question mark remains over skipper Giorgio Chiellini, who limped out of the win against Switzerland. The 36 year old Juventus defender has been taking part in individual training sessions but remains a doubt. His place could be taken by Lazio defender Francesco Acerbi, who was a second half sub in the 1-0 win over Wales. Alternatively, Mancini could keep faith with young Internazionale centre-back Alessandro Bastoni, who started against Wales.
Franco Foda has no squad worries in the lead up to this game and with Marko Arnautovic returned to the squad for the win against Ukraine following his suspension for insulting a North Macedonia player, Foda has all 26 players to count upon. However, Foda is less happy with playing the game at Wembley, bemoaning the lack of fans who will be able to travel to the game from Italy or Austria. UEFA say that they have no plans to move it.
Match Predictions
As one would expect, Italy are red hot favourites for this game with bookies offering around 1.50 against the Azzurri winning this in 90 minutes, while there are odds of 5.00 against Austria just qualifying for the next round. With this being knockout football the big question is if this is going to be a cagey affair or if there will be goals galore as both teams go for it. Our thinking is that with players like Immobile chomping at the bit to get back into the eleven, this could be a goal-fest and betting tips in the over 2.5 goals market are the ones to pay attention to.
