Italy vs Wales, UEFA Euro 2020, Today Match Prediction

Italy vs Wales Match Prediction & Analysis

For a team who went largely under the radar in the build up to the tournament, Italy have started in a mighty impressive fashion.

They have looked fantastic from back to front, proving solid in defence and dynamic in attack, although it remains to be seen just how serious the injury to Georgio Chiellini is at the back. He is like a rock to them.

Going forward appears to be just as good for Italy right now, with the likes of Immobile and Insigne playing well together. If they can avoid defeat here, they will top the group for sure.

Wales have improved game on game so far, earning a draw in a tense match against Switzerland, before turning on the style and beating a below par Turkey side.

Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey came good in that game, and the performances of those two are key to their chances of success this summer. Unless Switzerland beat Turkey in their game, Wales are guaranteed a top two position.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Italy Preview

World Ranking: 7

Best Historical Finish at the Euros: Winners, 1968

Predicted Finish This Year: Quarter Finals

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Goals coming from all positions, with two for midfielder Locatelli against Switzerland

     Now unbeaten in their last 29 games in all competitions

Reasons to be fearful:

     Chiellini will miss out here, but his injury shouldn’t end his tournament

     The pace of Bale and James could cause problems at the back

Having never scored more than two goals in a Euros game before this tournament, Italy have now gone and scored three in back to back games to take complete control at the top of Group A, securing a spot in the Round of 16 with a game to spare.

Should they avoid defeat here, they will finish at the top of the group and play the runner-up in Group C – at this stage likely to be Ukraine or Austria.

The one piece of worrying news from their win over Switzerland is the withdrawal of veteran defender Chiellini due to injury. He will miss out here against Wales, but should be back for the knockout rounds.

Even with Chiellini, we have yet to see how Italy’s defence will be tested against the quicker teams in the tournament. Against Bale and James of Wales, players of real pace, it’ll be interesting to see how Italy’s defence copes.

Star Man – Ciro Immobile

Will be looking to make it three goals in three games against Wales here.

Wales Preview

World Ranking: 17

Best Historical Finish at the Euros: Semi Finals, 2016

Predicted Finish This Year: Round of 16

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Win against Turkey puts them in a great position

     Quality of Bale, Ramsey and James can create chances

Reasons to be fearful:

     Italy may not allow them much possession

     Have lost their last three games against Italy, conceding 11 goals

Wales have finally come alive at Euro 2020, carrying on from where they left off in 2016 by reaching the Semi Finals of that particular tournament.

After securing a nervy draw against Switzerland, they were clinical against Turkey, and perhaps should have scored more than their 2-0 win shows.

Aaron Ramsey got behind the Turkish defence time and time again and, if they can do the same again, they will be confident of scoring.

They have pace to burn in wide areas of the pitch, with Bale on one side and James on the other, and playing direct on the counterattack could work in their favour.

Their record against Italy is poor, however. 11 goals have been scored in their last three meetings, all of them by the Italians.

Star Man – Gareth Bale

Missed a penalty against Turkey, but played brilliantly. His passes for the two goals were world class.

ITALY vs WALES
Winning Prediction

     Italy should dominate possession

     Wales will try and play on the counter 

     Both teams to qualify for knockout stages

Italy will dominate large sections of the game, but that won’t worry the Welsh too much.

With the pace that they have in their side, they know they can cause problems if they continue to run in behind the Italian defence.

Italy are favourites here, especially if they score the first goal, but it could be a close run thing.

Italy to win 2-1

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