Azerbaijan vs Italy Prediction and Preview – 10/10/15
Euro 2016 preview – Azerbaijan vs Italy prediction
Azerbaijan manager Robert Prosinecki has no injury or suspension concerns ahead of this game. Therefore, expect to see striker Ruslan Qurbanov leading the line, with a packed midfield behind him, protecting the back four but also looking to support the lone striker going forward.
Italy can not call upon the in-form Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne, who was forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury. Midfielder Daniele De Rossi is also missing due to suspension. Italy are likely to play a three pronged attack, featuring Antonio Candreva, Graziano Pelle and Eder.
Possible Line-ups
Azerbaijan: 4-1-4-1 formation: Aghayev; Medvedev, Huseynov, Sadiqov, Dasdamirov; Garayev; Ismayilov, Amirgurliyev, Nazarov, Mammadv; Qurbanov
Italy: 4-3-3 formation: Buffon; Florenzi, Chiellini, Bonucci, Darmian; Verratti, Pirlo, Bertalocci; Eder, Pelle, Candreva
Statistics
- Azerbaijan have won 1, drawn 3 and lost 6 of their last 10 matches
- Italy have won 5, drawn 4 and lost 1 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Azerbaijan have scored an average of 0.7 goals and conceded an average of 2.1 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Italy have scored an average of 1.1 goals and conceded an average of 0.7 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Azerbaijan’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 7 of Italy’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
There is nothing to play for other than pride for Azerbaijan in this game but that doesn’t mean they won’t be difficult to beat. Despite having won only 1 match during their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, which was at home to Malta, they have drawn their last 3 games in Group H and haven’t tasted defeat in a competitive match since November 2014. In the previous meeting between the teams, Azerbaijan came close to claiming a point but were defeated by a late Giorgio Chiellini goal.
Since their disappointing performance at the 2014 World Cup, Italy have remained unbeaten in all their competitive games. Italy have won 2 of their last 5 qualifying matches, both of which were 1-0 home victories. Away form in the group has also been good, winning 2 and drawing 2 of their 4 games, meaning they sit top of the group with two matches left to play. Scoring goals has been a little bit of a problem however, averaging just 1 per game in their last 3 qualifiers.
Azerbaijan will be aiming to build on their recent unbeaten record but Italy should have enough to break through, on at least one occasion.
Tips
Italy win at 3/10 – Click here to bet with Bet365
Italy win to nil at 8/15 – Click here to bet with Bet365
Italy win 1-0 at 10/3 – Click here to bet with Bet365
What are your predictions?
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