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Italy will want to put another World Cup heartbreak behind them when they host Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in League A of the Nations League on Friday night.
Indeed, the Italians missed out on a third successive World Cup this summer, and Roberto Mancini is now in charge in his second spell coaching his fellow countrymen.
Belgium reached the World Cup quarter-finals, but also have a new head coach in Mark van Bommel.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Italy vs. Belgium key stats
- Italy have won three of four games in all competitions in 2026 (L1).
- Belgium have lost just once in 19 matches across all competitions (W12, D6).
- Italy are unbeaten in the last five H2Hs (W4, D1).
Italy vs. Belgium preview: Both nations to shake on draw?
Italy vs Belgium — Tale of the Tape
| Italy | vs | Belgium |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | Position | 1st |
| 0 | Points | 0 |
| 0 | Goals For | 0 |
| 0 | Goals Against | 0 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 3rd (H) | Home / Away Rank | 1st (A) |
After failing to qualify for the World Cup again, Italy have changed management, with the hope that Mancini can bring them similar success to when they won the European Championship under him five years ago.
Successive 1-0 friendly wins against Luxembourg and Greece in June have helped, but they will be tested more in their Nations League group which also contains France and Turkey.
Federico Dimarco and Bryan Cristante have pulled out of Mancini's squad through injury too, with the former especially likely to be part of his plans given his reputation at Inter Milan.
Nonetheless, Italy will have to find a way on home soil, despite being ranked seven places lower than Belgium (eighth) in the FIFA World Rankings (15th).
The visitors come into this in strong form, having only been knocked out by eventual winners Spain in the World Cup quarter-finals.
That represented their only defeat in 19 outings, but they too have decided to change their head coach and gone with Van Bommel.
He has chosen a strong squad, with Amadou Onana perhaps the biggest omission through injury.
Belgium will fancy their chances here, but have a poor recent H2H record they will want to put right.
Italy vs. Belgium form guide & betting tips
| Italy | vs | Belgium |
|---|---|---|
LWLWW |
Form | DWWWL |
| 6 | Goals For | 13 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 6 |
| Nations League |
Whispers predicts: Italy 1-1 Belgium
Italy are 5/4 (2.25) favourites, but given Belgium's strong form, we are happy to back against the bookies.
The Draw at 13/5 (3.60) stands out, while BTTS – Yes at 4/6 (1.67) also represents value having come through in Belgium's last four games.
After netting in three successive Serie A matches, Daniel Maldini to score anytime at 10/3 (4.33) could also be worth a punt.
Overall, we are predicting a 1-1 draw, which is available at 6/1 (7.00).
> BTTS – Yes at 1.67 | Likelihood: High
> Draw at 3.60 | Likelihood: Medium
> Maldini to score anytime at 4.33 | Likelihood: Medium