Italy will try to extend its amazing run -- and its dominance of Belgium -- when the teams meet Friday in a marquee quarterfinal clash at Euro 2020. Italy is a four-time World Cup champion and the seventh-ranked team in the world, while Belgium is ranked No. 1 but has not won a major international tournament. Both teams won every game in qualifying and the group stage at Euro 2020, the only two teams to accomplish that. The Italians beat Austria 2-1 in the round of 16 on Tuesday, while Belgium edged Portugal 1-0.
Kickoff from Munich is set for 3 p.m. ET. William Hill Sportsbook lists Italy as the +140 money line favorite (risk $100 to win $140) in the latest Belgium vs. Italy odds. while Belgium is the +240 underdog. The over-under for total goals scored is 2.5. Before you make any Italy vs. Belgium picks or Euro 2020 predictions, you have to see what European soccer insider Martin Green is saying.
After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper. Since then, his European soccer picks have been spot-on. Green has generated almost $19,000 for $100 bettors since the 2017-18 season. He's having a great Euro 2020 as well, with his picks generating more than $800 in profit for $100 bettors through the group stage. Green has his finger on the pulse of the game all over the globe.
Now, Green has taken an in-depth look at Belgium vs. Italy. You can head to SportsLine now to see his Euro 2020 expert picks. Here are the betting lines and trends for Belgium vs. Italy:
- Belgium vs. Italy spread: Italy -0.5
- Belgium vs. Italy over-under: 2.5 goals
- Belgium vs. Italy moneyline: Belgium +240, Italy +140, Draw +200
- BEL: Romelu Lukaku is Belgium's all-time top scorer with 63 goals in 97 matches
- ITA: Gianluigi Donnarumma has 18 clean sheets in 28 starts for the national team
Why you should back Italy
The Azzurri are unbeaten in 31 straight matches, with their last loss coming in September 2018. Before Tuesday's win against Austria, they hadn't allowed a goal in 11 straight, scoring 32 over that span. They have lost to Belgium just four times in 22 all-time meetings (14-4-4) and are 3-2-1 in competitive matches. That includes a 2-0 win in the Euro 2016 group stage in the last matchup. The Italians have far more experience on the international stage and will be fired up to extend their run.
The Italian attack could cause a lot of trouble for a Belgian defense featuring three players 32 or older. Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Chiesa all provide pace up front, and Nicolo Barella and Marco Verratti can score or set things up in midfield. AC Milan's Gianluigi Donnarumma is the best young goalkeeper in the world, and he tied for the Serie A lead with 14 clean sheets last season at age 22. Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, longtime teammates at Juventus, form one of the most dependable defensive pairings in the world.
Why you should back Belgium
The Red Devils are eager to prove their talent level can produce a major trophy after spending three-plus years as the world's top-ranked team. They were third at the 2018 World Cup and were ousted by Wales at this stage at Euro 2016. The Belgians could be missing star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and captain Eden Hazard, but there is plenty of talent and experience in the starting 11. Axel Witsel has made 113 national-team appearances and plays a major role in the midfield, while 24-year-old Youri Tielemans excels alongside him as an attacker or defender.
Belgium has scored at least one goal in 34-straight games, and Romelu Lukaku is one of the world's most dangerous strikers. He has 11 goals in Belgium's last 11 matches and had 24 with Inter Milan last season. Thorgan Hazard scored on a brilliant strike against Portugal and is one of 12 players with at least two goals in the 14 Euro 2020 matches. An experienced Belgian defense is backed by one of the world's best goalkeepers in Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois. He has 11 clean sheets in his past 14 international matches, including four of the last five.
How to make Belgium vs. Italy Euro 2020 picks
Green has taken an in-depth look at Belgium vs. Italy, and he is leaning over on the total (2.5 goals). He also has three strong Italy vs. Belgium best bets, including one with a significant plus-money payout. He's only sharing those picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Italy vs. Belgium? And where does all the betting value lie? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for Belgium vs. Italy, all from the European soccer expert who has generated nearly $19,000 for $100 bettors since the 2017-18 season, and find out.
