Meanwhile, plagued by injuries to creative midfielders and without a talisman up front, Italy coach Antonio Conte is banking on a workmanlike team full of energy to outfox Belgium’s exciting young forwards when they meet on Monday.
Advertisement
“I don’t think it is serious, just a knock”, Wilmots told reporters after the match between the expected starting XI and the reserves.
Punters, therefore, are advised to back Belgium to open their Euro 2016 campaign with a win at Betway’s generous 6/4 (2.50) quote ahead of Monday’s crucial clash.
Yet the lack of a killer instinct among Italy’s strikers, notably target man Graziano Pelle, could make it hard should Belgium score first and force the Italians to chase the game.
Second-ranked Belgium has been tipped by many to win Euro 2016 despite a fairly lackluster display at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. If you lose, there’ll be a lot more stress on the following two matches.
Following the Italy game, Belgium play the Republic of Ireland in Bordeaux on June 18, before facing Sweden in their final Group E fixture in Nice on June 22.
I fancy Belgium to win this match and to establish a solid platform from which they will go on to top Group E as a effect.
At the start of the week, Hazard confirmed that he will not leave Chelsea in the summer.
“All the teams will have to work hard to survive this group and I think Italy are even more risky when they have their backs against the wall. That is what really counts”.
Advertisement
Italy on the other hand, were beset by injury problems before the tournament and travelled to France without the influential Marco Verratti and Claudio Marchisio.
