Bulgaria vs Italy Prediction and Football Tips
Euro 2016 football tips – Bulgaria vs Italy prediction
Bulgaria manager, Ivaylo Petev, will be sweating on the fitness of midfielder Georgi Milanov, who is doubtful for this match with injury. Milanov, one of Bulgaria’s key players, picked up an ankle injury on the weekend playing for CSKA Moscow. Basel defender, Ivan Ivanov, will definitely miss the match through injury but there was a call-up for in-form striker Radoslav Vasilev, who plays for Slavia Sofia.
With Andrea Pirlo out injured, Italy manager Antonio Conte, has called upon Empoli midfielder Mirko Valdifiori as his replacement. Elsewhere, Sampdoria striker Eder and Palermo’s Argentine Vazquez have both received their first call-up to the Italy squad. Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli returns to the squad for the first time since the 2014 World Cup, having recovered from injury.
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Bulgaria have scored an average of 1 goal and conceded an average of 1.1 goals per game.
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Italy have scored an average of 1.6 goals and conceded an average of 0.8 goals per game.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Bulgaria’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 3 of Italy’s previous 10 matches.
- The last time these teams met in Bulgaria was in a World Cup qualifier in 2012, the match ended 2-2.
Italy find themselves in a great position going in to the match against Bulgaria in Sofia. With 3 wins and 1 draw from their opening 4 games, The Azzurri know that a win in Bulgaria, will set them up nicely for the crunch clash in Croatia in June. However, the Italians have been involved in some tight matches so far in Euro 2016 qualifying Group H, overcoming Azerbaijan at home with a late goal from Giorgio Chiellini and managing only a 1-0 victory away to Malta.
Bulgaria already have an uphill task, if they are going to qualify for Euro 2016. With 4 games played, they find themselves 6 points off automatic qualification and 5 points adrift of the the play-off place. Put simply, this is a must win match for Bulgaria, if they are to have any hope of qualifying from the group. Without a win in their last 4 matches, including a 1-1 draw at home to Malta and a 2-1 defeat in Norway, it will be a shock if Bulgaria manage to take anything from this game.
Italy to win by 1 goal at 12/5 with Bet365
What are your predictions and football tips?