Spain's eight-year run as the champions of Europe came to a close at the hands of Italy just a few short months ago in Euro 2016. Now, the two teams are going to be back on the pitch once again versus each other in a World Cup qualifying match, one that could help determine which one of these sides will get through Group G as the winner and which one will have to fight through a home-and-home playoff to get into Russia in 2018.
At 2:45 p.m. ET, tune into FOX Sports 1 for live television coverage of this World Cup Qualifying match on Thursday, October 6, 2016, at Juventus Stadium.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Italy +205
Spain +155
Draw +210
Over/Under 2
Odds Analysis
Italy knows that it's going to have to play this match relatively close to the vest. These two teams have a history of not taking much in the way of chances, and that's why the total is incredibly low at a flat two goals.
The Italians are playing this one at home at Juventus Stadium, but they're still the underdogs in the match even though they were the victors when the two teams met on neutral soil in France almost four months ago. Spain is set at +155 to get the three crucial points, and inevitably, if it does succeed in doing so, it will be on its way to the World Cup, especially with Italy having to come to Spain before this is all said and done with.
Roster Analysis
The Italian team remains basically the same from the team that was brought to Euro 2016. Gianluigi Buffon, even at the age of 38 is still wearing the captain's armband and will lead this team into battle at the stadium he has called his home at the club level for the past 15 seasons.
Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci will likely play together from the Juve back line as well, while AS Roma's Daniele De Rossi and Alessandro Florenzi are to showcase in the midfield. Decisions will have to be made up front for sure. Graziano Pelle was a goal scorer in the upset of Spain in France, and he figures to be asked to play in this match. However, he hasn't been playing at home of late, as his club soccer team, Shandong Luneng doesn't have the same degree of competition on a game in, game out basis as these Italian players in Serie A have. It will be an interesting decision to see who's playing up front against one of the best defensive teams in the world.
Iker Casillas, a mainstay in the Spanish net for the last several years, wasn't called up for these WCQs. Instead, the net will most likely belong to David de Gea. He'll have a strong defense in front of him with Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique leading the way, while the goats of the Euro 2016 campaign in the midfield of Andres Iniesta, David Silva and Sergio Busquets will be asked to do a lot more here than they did against Italy. Up front, manager Julen Lopetegui has left most of the elder statesmen of this team home, and that means he's going to call upon men like Nolito, Diego Costa and Alvaro Morata to play up top.
Recent Form
Both of these teams have gotten off to a good start in World Cup qualifying. Spain took care of business against Liechtenstein at home 8-0 in September, while on the same day, Italy went on the road and fended off what could have been a remotely difficult challenge from Israel 3-1.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Spain will love to exact some revenge here for what happened in the Euros, but it also has to be smart. Losing all three points in this one wouldn't be the end of the world with Italy set to come to Spain next September, but getting at least one point would deliver a big blow to the Italians and their quest to win this group.
That said, don't just blindly fall into the trap of wagering on the Spanish because of their name. This isn't nearly as good of a team as we've seen in recent years, and the fact that Vicente del Bosque is no longer managing the team is a good indication that times are changing for La Roja.
Spain will get a point from this match, but no more, and that result should suit it just fine.
World Cup Qualifying Odds: Italy 0, Spain 0
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