Italy vs Sweden
Well, this is massive! One of the giants of the world game is in danger of missing out on a place at the World Cup finals, as Italy attempt to overturn a one-goal deficit.
Argentina narrowly squeaked through to the finals, but if Italy fail in one of the most crucial football games in the Azzurri’s history, it will send shock waves through world football. Take a look at the handicap betting for the second leg and you can see what a nail-biting night we have in store in Milan.
Italy are at 1.94 to win with a -1.00 goal handicap, with Sweden at odds of 1.98 with the goal advantage. But a single-goal win simply isn’t good enough for Giampiero Ventura’s stars; at best it would mean stalemate after losing 1-0 in Sweden. Should Sweden score a goal, then Italy will need three. And, be assured, the Swedes will be right in their hosts’ faces from the first kick.
So to start with, Italian fans must have faith that their legendary rearguard holds firm; and strikers Ciro Immobile and Andrea Belotti show more of their Serie A form and can put behind them a miserable night in Stockholm. Belotti came the closest to grabbing a crucial away goal but agonisingly missed the target.
If the strikers are clinical, then a 2-0 win, at odds or around 5.60 would send the Milan crowd wild. But the most likely score, at 4.40, is 1-0 and then the nerves will be shredded.
The last time Italy missed out on a place at the World Cup finals, Sweden were the hosts, back in 1958, and the whole of Italy hopes that isn’t an omen!
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
