As Euro 2020 enters the penultimate stage, Italy and Spain will clash in the first semi-final at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday in what will be their seventh European Championship meeting.
For the fourth consecutive tournament, the two nations are meeting in the knockout stages of the competition, with Spain progressing in 2008 (on penalties) and winning the 2012 final before Italy eliminated them in 2016.
Italy and Spain have met nine times previously in European Championship/World Cup history, with Italy winning four of these to Spain’s two (one of these on penalties). This meeting will make Italy vs Spain the most played fixture among European nations in major tournament history (World Cup/Euro).
Italy vs Spain Latest Odds
Italy have won all five of their matches at Euro 2020, the only side of the remaining final four with a 100% record to date and a win against Spain in England is tipped to occur at (2.53) with MSport.
Spain have only lost to Italy twice in their last 14 meetings in all competitions (D7 W5) and a win for them at Wembley is considered to occur at (3.14).
A draw between La Roja and the Azzurri at full-time is valued at (3.24).
Italy vs Spain Team News
Italy suffered a major blow when Leonardo Spinazzola suffered an injury to his Achilles tendon. The Roma wing-back is now ruled out of the tournament as he will need at least four months to recover after surgery. Alessandro Florenzi's recovery from a calf injury is expected to be a boost for the Azzurri as he is set to be drafted into the starting XI.
Spain's Pablo Sarabia, who was outstanding in the games against Slovakia and Croatia, will not be available after he was injured during the game against Switzerland.
Italy vs Spain Preview
Italy have reached their 12th semi-final at a major tournament (Euros/World Cup), with only Germany (20) appearing at the final four stages more often amongst all European sides. They have progressed from nine of the previous 11 semi-final ties, including each of the last four, most recently in this competition in 2012 when they eventually lost in the final to Spain (0-4).
Spain have reached the semi-finals of the European Championships for the third time in the last four editions of the competition (failing to do so in 2016). Indeed, they have gone on to win the competition on each of the last two occasions they have reached the final four - in 2008 and 2012.
After losing each of their first four matches at Wembley Stadium between 1955 and 1968, Spain have only suffered one defeat in their last five matches there (W2 D2). However, they were knocked out of the Euros in 1996 at Wembley, losing to hosts England on penalties.
Lorenzo Insigne has been involved in 13 goals in his last 15 appearances for Italy in all competitions (six goals, seven assists), netting the decisive goal in Italy’s 2-1 win over Belgium in the quarter-final.
Spain pair Dani Olmo (16) and Gerard Moreno (15) have had more shots without scoring than any other players so far at Euro 2020. Moreno’s 15 shots have an expected goals (xG) tally of 3.3, with only Cristiano Ronaldo (4.9) and Alvaro Morata's (4) efforts having a higher total.
Italy vs Spain Tips and Predictions
Italy have scored 11 goals in the last five games, have conceded twice with three clean sheets in the process. Excluding post-match penalties against Switzerland and Croatia, Spain have scored 10 goals in the last five outings where they conceded five. Punters can take an offer of over 1.5 goals at (1.41) with MSport.
Over 1.5 goals at (1.41) with MSport.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
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