Football Results

Before the qualifications Italy and B-H were favourites to win first two places but after three rounds only Italy justified the prediction. The Italians won all three matches, the last one in Greece last Saturday and they occupy the first place in the table, while BiH won five points fewer and has suffered a painful defeat in Finland three days ago.

Italy

Italy has absolute control over the situation in this group and is on its way to reach the European Championship even before the end of qualifications. They leave nothing to chance, as they failed to qualify for the previous World Cup and that was a true catastrophe for the four-time world champion. They don’t want to live again the experience and they showed in first three rounds who is the boss in the group. They won all three matches and didn’t receive a single goal, while at the same time they scored 11.

Expectedly, the Italians were the efficient against Lichtenstein, whom were won by 6-0. In the first round they won Finland by 2-0, but the most valuable triumph was the one achieved on last Saturday when they defeated Greek away. The Italians scored the first goal around the middle of first half first, and then two in next ten minutes and that was the end of story. Manager Mancini sent on the pitch three other forwards compared to duel with Lichtenstein, while absence of injured Politina and Spinazzola, just as goalkeeper G. Donnarumma didn’t negatively affected the Italian team. Now, the team will most probably stay the same.

Probable lineups Italy: Sirigu – Florenzi, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson – Barella, Jorginho, Verratti – Chiesa, Belotti, L. Insigne

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Everything went well for BiH in these qualifications until the end of the first half of match with Greece, which was played in the second round. In the first round the Bosnians won Armenia, although by only 2-1, but what matters were points. They started furiously against Greece and had a lead of 2-0 and it seemed that will easier than expected win another match. In the second half Pjanic was sent off and the Greeks scored two goals so the match ended as a draw. The Bosnians could even lose, and the draw was good outcome for them. The problem was that they couldn’t count on Pjanic and had to face Finland on last Saturday.

It was a very important match in which they totally underperformed. It could be felt very much absence of the team’s best midfielder. Manager Prosinecki had sent the strongest available team on the pitch and besides Pjanic, Krunic and Kolašinac hadn’t played either. In the second half they received two goals and could fight back, so they suffered the first defeat in these qualifications. The situation is now pretty bad when it comes to qualifying for the European Championship and they have to face very good Italy. There are few reasons for optimism, except that Pjanic is back and that might help.

Probable lineups BiH: Sehic – Bicakcic, Sunjic, Zukanovic, Civic – Besic, Saric – Visca, Pjanic, Duljevic – Dzeko

Verdict:

Italy is in great shape and plays in winning rhythm, while BiH is shaken after defeat in Finland. Despite fact that Bosnia’s probably the most useful best player is back in the starting line-up it is hard to believe that they can resist to the home team which wants to strengthen its grip over the first place in the Group J.

Pick: Asian handicap -1 Italy 1.57 - 57/100 @1XBet