A round of 16 match soccer fans around the world have been waiting for, defending champions Spain will take on Italy on Monday. While Spain enters the match as slim favorites, this game may go right down to the wire to decide a winner.
Spain (+116) Vs Italy (+345)
In a rematch of the 2012 European Championship, Spain will clash with Italy in a highly anticipated round of 16 match on Monday.
It was four years ago when powerhouse Spain, fresh off a World Cup victory, made easy work of Italy to win its second consecutive European Championship. But that was then, and this is now.
Italy secured its spot in the knockout stage after topping Group E with six points, while Spain finished second in Group D, also with six points.
Spain enters the match as slim favorites at +116, but the defending champions know they’ll have their work cut out for them when they face an Italian team with a stingy defence, which has only conceded a single goal in the tournament.
“It’s always tough against Italy,” Spain forward Cesc Fabregas told Gazetta World. “They are competitive and have a lot of experience. They have what it takes to win a tournament.”
These two international giants have met a total of 35 times with each side earning 10 wins apiece while drawing the other 15 matches. Italy has outscored Spain 40-36 overall.
Spain is favored at +245 by Bovada to pull out a one-goal victory over the Italians and is pegged at -110 by the online sportsbook’s line to win in regulation time. Spain will rely on its strong possession game to beat Italy’s strong defenders, led by Juventus star Giorgio Chiellini. The Italians on the other hand will sit back and wait for the perfect opportunity to counter attack.
The Italian defenders will have to keep a close watch on Alvaro Morata, who leads the tournament with three goals and is a +170 favorite to score at any point of the match. Aritz Adruiz is another threat to score for Spain as the Athletic Bilbao striker is at +190 to net a goal against Italy.
Italian striker Graziano Pelle, who scored in the team’s opening victory over Belgium, is a +300 favorite to net a goal against Spain. A player that can break through and put Italy to the next stage is forward Lorenzo Insigne, who at +450 is a great value pick to score a goal.
This match is too close to call and may require extra time or penalty kicks to determine a winner. Watch for world-class goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon to be the difference maker for Italy.
Pick: Italy (+345)
Category : News
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