class=”article_teaser__2t5do”>Luis Enrique's men are missing some key players and are likely to struggle once again when they face the winners of Euro 2020 at San Siro
European champions Italy welcome Spain to Milan on Wednesday evening in the semi-final of the UEFA Nations League.
Roberto Mancini’s side are on a historic 38-match unbeaten run and are clear favourites to triumph against a La Roja team beset by injuries.
Luis Enrique’s men, however, will be out for revenge having been denied a place in the final of Euro 2020 on penalties at the hands of the Italians this summer.
Italy vs Spain latest 0dds
The Azzurri’s last defeat came on September 10, 2018 when the side went down 1-0 to Portugal.
Since then they have recorded 28 wins and 10 draws (in 90 minutes) and bet365 offer Italy at 6/5 (2.20) to rack up another win without extra-time, while they can be backed at 4/6 (1.65) to qualify.
Spain, meanwhile, can be backed at 29/20 (2.45) to make it through to the final of the competition and are 11/4 (3.75) to win.
The draw is on offer at 21/10 (3.10).
Italy vs Spain team news
The hosts are without first-choice striker Ciro Immobile who has withdrawn from the squad due to injury.
The visitors, meanwhile, also have a number of high-profile absentees with strikers Alvaro Morata and Gerard Moreno both missing, while midfielder Pedri, who started every game at Euro 2020, is also out.
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The man who was called up to replace Pedri, Celta Vigo’s Brais Mendez also had to withdraw through injury, meaning a call-up for Barcelona’s out-of-favour utility man Sergi Roberto.
Marcos Llorente and Dani Olmo are also missing through injury.
Italy vs Spain preview
Matches between these two rivals tend to be close affairs and Italy’s semi-final triumph in July was no different.
Another similar encounter looks likely on Wednesday night although the hosts are rightly fancied to progress.
Immobile may be a key man out for Italy yet the rest of the side is pretty settled, in stark contrast to the Spain team which is constantly being chopped and changed by Luis Enrique.
Morata, Moreno, Llorente, Pedri and Olmo were all key members of the Euro 2020 squad with the latter two starting the semi-final against Italy, and Morata coming off the bench to score the side’s only goal.
With La Roja unable to call upon the services of some of their most important players, and with the Azzurri remaining an extremely solid unit, backing Mancini’s men to record another win makes sense.
Italy vs Spain tips & predictions
The price of 6/5 (2.20) for an Italy win should appeal while under 2.5 goals in the match is offered at 8/13 (1.61) and has paid out in 11 of the last 14 meetings.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.