Belgium have the home advantage against Italy on Thursday night in the Nations League A where the hosts have to win if they are to stand any chance of finishing in the top two in Group 2.
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Belgium vs Italy prediction: Goals at both ends of the pitch?
Key Stats
- Three of Belgium's last four matches have ended with both teams scoring.
- These two nations played out a 2-2 draw when they met in Italy last month.
- Romelu Lukaku is Belgium's all-time top scorer with 85 goals in 119 caps.
Correct score prediction: Belgium 2-2 Italy
Belgium looked like they were going to lose in Italy last month when they found themselves 2-0 down in the first half but Lorenzo Pellegrini's sending-off allowed the Red Devils to get back into the game and earn a share of the spoils. Belgium's goal-machine, Romelu Lukaku missed that game but will lead the line for the hosts on Thursday and we're backing the pair to play out another 2-2 draw.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Belgium the slight favourite
- HOME: 17/11 (2.55) – 39.3%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- AWAY: 31/16 (2.94) – 34%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Belgium are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 39.3% but we're predicting a close and competitive 90 minutes between the two countries.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Italy in front
Thursday's guests have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five head-to-heads with Belgium with their last defeat against the Red Devils arriving back in 2015.
UEFA Nations League A 10/10/24
Italy
Belgium
UEFA Nations League 10/10/21
Italy
Belgium
Euro 2021 02/07/21
Belgium
Italy
Euro 2016 13/06/16
Belgium
Italy
International Match 13/11/15
Belgium
Italy
Belgium preview: Lukaku is back
Romelu Lukaku returns for country this week and the Red Devils are going to need their powerhouse forward to be at his best if they are going to end their three-game run without a win.
Along with the draw against Italy, Belgium have played and lost twice against France in their last three outings which has put them third in Group 2 and in desperate need of a win on Thursday.
Thomas Meunier, Charles De Ketelaere, Youri Tielemans, Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku have not made the latest Belgium squad for one reason or another.
Predicted lineup: Casteels (GK), Castagne, Faes, Theate, Debast, Tielemans, Mangala, Trossard, Lukaku, Lukebakio & Onana
UEFA Nations League 23/03/25
W
Ukraine
0
Belgium
3
UEFA Nations League 20/03/25
L
Ukraine
3
Belgium
1
UEFA Nations League A 17/11/24
L
Israel
1
Belgium
0
UEFA Nations League A 14/11/24
L
Italy
1
Belgium
0
UEFA Nations League A 14/10/24
L
France
2
Belgium
1
Italy preview: Unbeaten in last four
Italy will be looking to continue their good run of form which has them sitting top of Group 2, a point ahead of France with just two games left to play.
The Italians are unbeaten in their last four games, beating France 3-1 away, picking up two wins against Israel and drawing with Belgium.
Riccardo Calafiori, Francesco Acerbi, Giorgio Scalvini, Nicolò Fagioli and Lorenzo Pellegrini have not made the latest squad selection for the final two Nations League A fixtures.
Predicted lineup: Donnarumma (GK), Di Lorenzo, Dimarco, Bastoni, Buongiorno, Cambiaso, Frattesi, Tonali, Barella, Raspadori & Retegui
UEFA Nations League 23/03/25
D
Germany
3
Italy
3
UEFA Nations League 20/03/25
L
Germany
2
Italy
1
UEFA Nations League A 17/11/24
L
France
3
Italy
1
UEFA Nations League A 14/11/24
W
Belgium
0
Italy
1
UEFA Nations League A 14/10/24
W
Israel
1
Italy
4
Player to watch: Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku is back for Belgium this week and he will be looking to make amends after failing to score a single goal at Euro 2024, despite his best efforts.
The 31-year-old striker has scored 85 goals in 119 games for his country and head into Thursday's match against Italy having scored four times in Serie A for Napoli this season.
Lukaku missed the 2-2 draw with Italy last month
We're excited to see how Lukaku performs against Italy this week and how his return affects Belgium's fortunes as anything but a win will condemn the Red Devils to finishing in third-place at best in Group 2.