Malta vs Italy – Betting Preview
The Italians are the reigning European champions. Moreover, after messing up their World Cup Qualifiers, they would not at all risk any game in this qualification campaign. Expect 100% effort in every fixture.
And this is bad news for Malta, who are ranked 167th in the world. They had also finished dead last in their group in the previous qualification campaign.
Malta Preview
Malta, the group’s heavy underdog, will be aiming for some victories over Ukraine, England, and Italy in order to raise their spirits going into this campaign.
Yet, there have recently been encouraging signals, and Michele Marcolini, the head coach who is Italian-born, will want his team to perform well on Sunday.
After beginning the season against North Macedonia, one of the biggest surprises of recent years, Malta now plays Italy before hosting England in June.
Teddy Teuma, a creative midfielder for Union Saint-club Gilloise’s team, has recently put in strong performances for them in the Europa League, and he will be the key motivation for the Malta team.
Yet Malta will just aim to limit the number of goals scored by the opposition, so they should play strong defence in the hopes of finishing with an acceptable scoreline.
Italy Preview
Before the Nations League finals in June, Roberto Mancini will be looking at this game as an opportunity to score many of goals and put the smiles back on the Azzurri fans’ faces.
Mancini has chosen a few guys who haven’t really gotten a decent look in because Ciro Immobile is injured and might not return to the international team. Thus, it might be one of those who find their name on the team sheet on Sunday!
Gianluca Scamacca of West Ham has had a difficult year in the English Premier League, so a goal for him may be a huge boost for everyone involved.
This weekend, Italy should increase their goal differential. Although the Azzurri should also be supported to win to nil, Malta will want to frustrate the visitors, but Italy should come out on top!
1×2 Betting Odds
Let’s begin analysing the 1×2 market
Italy have a 100% winning record in h2h clashes so far, and on top of that Malta are ranked 167th in the world. In fact, the Maltese squad are part of League D in the Nations League, and they also finished dead last in their group in the previous edition of the Euro Qualifiers.
The home side aren’t given much of a chance to win, with long odds of 26.99.
The reigning European champions Italy should be back with a vengeance. They failed to qualify for the Qatar World Cup, and will be determined to make amends!
Italy to win stands @ 1.12.
The market odds of a stalemate stands @ 10.00.
Total goals over/under
Let’s check the over/under scenario
The odds that the total number of goals scored will be over 2.5, stands @ 1.48.
While the odds that the total number of goals will be under 2.5, stands @ 2.71.
Given the gap in quality between the two sides, the market expects Italy to win, and win big!
Expect a lot of goals in this which most probably will be scored by the away side!
