Two sides that looks to be going in polar opposite directions meet in Lyon tonight as Belgium play 'host' to Italy. Whilst the Red Devils are the best they probably ever have been, I can't remember an Italy squad looking so weak in my entire life. Gone are the days of Filippo Inzaghi and Alessandro Nesta for The Azzurri, in fact only four players remain from their 2006 World Cup triumph. Sad, really.
Belgium, on the other hand, look to have their best group of players since the eighties but even these have failed to deliver internationally. At the 2014 World Cup, players that starred for their club sides the season before looked lacklustre and tired in their laboured run to the quarter-finals. Even in qualifying for this tournament they have looked poor, a squad of individuals that has struggled to gel. Despite topping their group following a run of 4 straight victories towards the end of the campaign, they never really set the world alight.
The problem I have with this game is that I just have no idea what to expect. Italy could come out and surprise everyone like they did on their march to the final at Euro 2012, or they could be as poor as they were at the 2014 World Cup; whereas Belgium could come out all guns blazing with their wealth of attacking talent or they could struggle to click again. The way this tournament is going so far in terms of the lack of goals, it could be worth taking Under 1.5 goals at 29/20 or Draw at 19/10 but I would recommend reduced stakes.
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