Italy vs Bulgaria Predictions and Betting Tips
The Stadio Artemio Franchi is the stage for this highly-anticipated encounter in the European World Cup qualifiers as Italy play hosts to Bulgaria this Thursday. Read on for our expert tips and predictions.
Unbeaten in 10 games against these opponents, Italy have been the dominant side in this fixture for quite sometime as the Bulgarians would head into this matchup with a damage-control mindset.
European Champions return to action
Roberto Mancini found the Italian national team at its lowest point with the side failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. The Former City boss had now led his side to a run of 34 games unbeaten which came to a climax at the end of the European Championship as they got the better of England via a penalty shoot-out at Wembley to lift the European trophy for the second time. The Italians return to action in the European World Cup qualifiers this Thursday as they look to stretch their lead at the summit of Group C and with three wins and three clean sheets in as many games, which one of the group C sides would stop them?
Bulgaria head into this tournament without a win in their first three World Cup qualifiers matches. Losing to Switzerland, Italy and then a 0-0 draw against Bulgaria has put them in 4th place on the group standings. However, the problems the Bulgarian national team faces is more deep-rooted than a run of no wins in three World Cup qualifiers games as they have failed to secure a win in their last eight matches across all competitions.
Italy vs Bulgaria Team News
Italy possible starting XI:
P. Iliev; Popov, Antov, Zanev, Cicinho; Malinov, Kostadinov; Delev, Chochev, Despodov; Galabinov
Bulgaria possible starting XI:
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Chiellini, Bonucci, Emerson; Jorginho, Barella, Verratti; Chiesa, Insigne, Immobile
Italy vs Bulgaria Prediction: 3-0
We expect yet another five star performance from this Italian team as they look to stretch their winning win to 16 and their unbeaten run 36 against a struggling Bulgaria side.
