Verdict: Under 2.5 goals
Best Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
Two sides who will be desperate to end 2018 on a high, Italy will face off against The United States when the two struggling nations meet at the Luminus Arena in Genk on Tuesday night.
Italy
Starting with the 2006 World champions, while Italy may have turned to former Premier League-winning boss Roberto Mancini over the summer, it has been an incredibly poor year for Gli Azzurri. Playing out a 0-0 draw with Portugal last time out, the Italians have now managed to record just one win in their last seven outings. Although the Blues may have managed to secure their spot in League A for this year’s inaugural UEFA Nations League, fans in Italy will certainly be demanding a lot more. It will be their form in the final third that is currently giving Mancini the biggest headache. They have now managed to record more than a single goal in a single match in just one of their last 16 international matches, a run that stems all the way back to June 2017. A nation that is desperately looking to rebuild, Manici will also have to travel to Belgium without a number of his most experienced internationals.
Team News
Ciro Immobile, Giorgio Chiellini, Lorenzo Insigne, Jorginho and Alessandro Florenzi will be unavailable for selection.
This is an unsurprising move by Roberto Mancini, as international friendlies are an opportunity to give younger players with little experience a chance in national colours. Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini is also out with a bruised leg.
United States
As for the United States, after slumping to a 3-0 loss away at Wembley last week, fans Stateside know that they must immediately solve their managerial issues. After failing to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986, the USA turned to Dave Sarachan to act as interim boss. However, the American’s problems have been well publicized this year and have endured their worst 12 months in recent memory. Now not playing a competitive fixture in 2018, the Stars & Stripes have also now managed to pick up just one victory in their last seven matches across all competitions. Highly expected to be Sarachan’s last game in charge, the former Chicago Fire manager will be hoping to end 2018 on a positive and also end their recent defensive issues. The United States have now conceded eight in their last three and they have also failed to record a clean sheet on foreign soil since July 2017.
Team News
For the USA, Schalke midfielder Weston McKennie has returned to Germany for treatment on a hamstring injury.
Fulham midfielder Luca de la Torre has remained in England to train with his club after his side’s 3-0 defeat to the Three Lions in their previous fixture.
Key Factors to Consider
- In the 11 previous meetings between the two nations, Italy have come away with seven victories, while the USA have recorded just one win.
- Italy have failed to score more than one goal in a single match in their last seven attempts.
- In fact, the former World champions have scored more than once in just 1 of their last 16 internationals.
- The United States have managed to win just one of their last seven matches across all competitions.
- They have also failed to secure an away clean sheet in their last seven matches.
Conclusion
While both sides will be looking to end their 2018 with a much-needed win, their form in the final third has left a lot to the imagination. Given the fact that Italy have not scored more than a single goal in their last seven, coupled with the United States failing to record more than one goal on foreign soil since September 2017, we’re backing a low scoring encounter on Tuesday night.
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals
Best Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
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