Italy vs Belgium Odds & Prediction – UEFA Nations League 3rd Place Game

• Italy and Belgium clash in the Nations League on Sunday with third-place up for grabs
• The Euro 2020 winners enter as a slim +115 favorite
• Read on for the odds, preview, and prediction below

It will be a rematch of the Euro 2020 quarterfinals when Italy and Belgium lock horns on Sunday in Turin as they battle it out for third place in the UEFA Nations League. The kick-off at the Allianz Stadium is scheduled for 9 PM EST.

The Azzurri suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Spain in the semifinals of the competition on Thursday, playing the entire second half with 10 men after Leonardo Bonucci was handed two yellows. The Belgians meanwhile blew a 2-0 lead against France in a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to their rivals.

The most recent meeting between the two sides saw the Italians run out as 2-1 winners this summer, highlighted by an absolute stunner from Napoli man Lorenzo Insigne.

Italy vs Belgium Odds

All odds as of October 8th at DraftKings.

Italy Still Riding High

Despite the underwhelming result on Thursday, Roberto Mancini’s side is still on cloud nine after heroically lifting the Euro 2020 trophy just a few months ago. Their 37-match unbeaten run, which is a world record, finally ended against Spain but it was truly a magical spell. During that span, the Italians won 30 times, drew seven, and scored a whopping 93 goals while conceding only seven..

Spain defeat Italy 2-1 to the final of the UEFA Nations League.

Italy's 37-game unbeaten run is over! 👏#3Sports pic.twitter.com/UzqWofo70K

— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) October 6, 2021

On top of that, their defeat to Spain was also their first loss on home soil since 1999. The visitors opened the scoring early in the opening half, with Ferran Torres finding the back of the net. He then doubled their lead in the 45th minute after Bonucci was sent off. Italy got a goal back late in the second period through Lorenzo Pelligrini, but it was too little too late. In fact, the Azzurri were outplayed, having just 25% of possession, although they did manage to register five shots on target.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kshi-Y_Fp5w

Although Sunday’s encounter really doesn’t mean much, it will still be a feather in Italy’s cap to finish third in the Nations League as they eye glory in the World Cup next year. Bonucci is suspended for this fixture after getting a red card, while Lazio talisman Ciro Immobile is not in the squad due to injury.

Belgium Will be Hungry For Positive Result

The Red Devils looked to be in cruise control against France in the semifinals, with Yannick Carrasco opening the scoring in the 37th minute before Romelu Lukaku smashed a second goal past the outstretched hands of Hugo Lloris just minutes later. Belgium headed into the break with the utmost confidence, but they absolutely collapsed in the second half.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkYNISVr950

Les Bleus came out firing and completely set the tone, with Karim Benzema cutting the lead in half before Kylian Mbappe equalized from the spot. Lukaku thought he had the winner late, but his goal was ruled offside by VAR. The drama ensued, with Theo Hernandez connecting perfectly on a rocking hit in the 90th minute to complete the comeback.

Unfortunately for the Belgians, it was a win that was absolutely thrown away. It comes just months after the side bowed out in the last eight at Euro 2020 to the Italians, despite heading into the tournament as a heavy favorite to win it. Their backline is aging and the golden years of the nation are slowly dwindling.

Is Belgium's golden generation over? 😔 pic.twitter.com/SR1gvg3I6J

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 7, 2021

While Roberto Martinez’s men have looked fantastic at times, the consistency has simply not been there. Eden Hazard’s status is in doubt against Italy as he continues to get back to fitness, but Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne should be headlining the attack here. Needless to say, Belgium is going to be hungry for a victory following such a poor result.

Italy vs Belgium Key Stats

Italy vs Belgium Prediction

Although Italy is the Kings of Europe right now, their form hasn’t been phenomenal as of late, winning just once in their previous four games. As for Belgium, I really do believe Thursday’s bottle job is going to give them huge motivation to beat the Azzurri here. Take the Red Devils on the moneyline, with Lukaku scoring yet again for his country.

Pick: Belgium +220, Romelu Lukaku to Score +150