Following wins for both sides on Matchday 1, Spain and Italy will lock horns at Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen on Thursday evening.
Spain secured an impressive 3-0 victory over Croatia in their opening match, while Italy came from behind to defeat Albania 2-1.
If you’re looking for mathematics-based football predictions, you’ve come to the ride place. Read on to discover what Forebet’s AI algorithm anticipates for Thursday’s showdown.
Let’s start by taking a look at Spain, who scored three goals in 14 first-half minutes to blow Croatia away last weekend.
Despite conceding 54% possession and 16 shots in Berlin, La Roja remained in control for much of the game, with goalkeeper Unai Simon saving a late penalty.
Spain have now lost just one of their last 13 matches across all competitions, winning nine of their previous 11.
Better still, La Roja have scored 38 goals in their last 11 outings (3.5 goals per game), netting over 2.5 goals on eight occasions during that period.
Meanwhile, Italy conceded after just 23 seconds against Albania before coming from behind to win their opening match at Signal Iduna Park.
A stray thrown-in from Federico Dimarco handed the Albanians a shock lead, but goals from Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella turned the game around.
In fairness, the Italians remained dominant throughout the clash, racking up 69% possession and 17 shots while limiting Albania to a solitary attempt on target.
That victory extended Italy’s unbeaten streak to seven matches, with only one defeat coming in their previous 12 encounters across all competitions.
Head-to-head: Spain have enjoyed plenty of success against Italy in recent years, winning three of their last four meetings while losing two of the previous 11.
In terms of the overall H2H stats, Spain have claimed 14 victories, while Italy have claimed 10 victories, with 12 draws coming since the first meeting back in 1924.
Team news: There are question marks over the fitness of Spain striker Alvaro Morata, who left the field of play with a suspected injury against Croatia.
As for Italy, they came through Matchday 1 unscathed. Luciano Spalletti is expected to stick with a 4-3-3 formation, with Gianluca Scamacca leading the line.
Both sides will be eager to avoid defeat in order to strengthen their qualification hopes, meaning Thursday’s clash will likely be a tense and cagey affair.
Forebet predicts that Spain and Italy will play out a goalless draw in Gelsenkirchen, giving both nations a strong chance of reaching the last 16.
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