Italy vs Venezuela Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips

Italy vs Venezuela Preview

Italy and Venezuela lock horns at the Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, United States, on Thursday for an international friendly. With both Euro 2024 and 2024 Copa America coming up, the sides begin their preparations for the respective tournaments with this match-up.

Speaking of Italy, the Azzurri are the defending European champions, having won the Henry Delaunay trophy in 2021 at the Wembley Stadium for their second triumph in the competition. They beat hosts England on penalties in the final, ending a 15-year wait for another title since winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

However, a lot has changed since then, with Italy regardless failing to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, marking their second consecutive absence from the competition. But there were no such upsets in their Euro qualifying campaign, as the Blues came second in Group C to seal their berth directly in the finals.

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Italy now have their sights on retaining their European crown, a feat only achieved by Spain. They’ve been drawn alongside La Roja, Croatia and Albania in Group B of the tournament. On the other hand, Venezuela are gearing up for Copa America in the USA, having been drawn alongside Ecuador, Mexico, and Jamaica in Group B.

Ranked 52nd in the world, La Vinotinto are looking to reach the knockout stages for the first time since the 2019 edition, after bowing out in the first round, three years ago following a disappointing campaign that didn’t yield a single win in the group stages.

Italy vs Venezuela Team News and Predicted XI

Italy

Head coach Luciano Spalletti has called up three new players for this month’s double-header to Venezuela and Ecuador. Udinese forward Lorenzo Lucca, Hellas Verona midfielder Michael Folorunsho, and Torino full-back Raoul Bellanova are all in line to make their international debuts. Atalanta’s Gianluca Scamacca missed out this time around. Moreover, Sassuolo star Domenico Berardi is currently out with an Achilles tendon.

Predicted XI: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Buongiorno, Federico Dimarco; Davide Frattesi, Jorginho, Nicolo Barella; Nicolo Zaniolo, Giacomo Raspadori, Federico Chiesa

Venezuela

Head coach Fernando Batista has called up a 34-man squad for this month’s fixtures to Italy and Guatemala, including key forward Salomon Rondon. He has 41 goals for the side thus far, more than any player in their history. Veteran midfielder and skipper Tomas Rincon, who is the nation’s highest appearance-maker with 130 caps, has been summoned too. Girona midfielder Yangel Herrera and defender Roberto Rosales both miss out.

Predicted XI: Rafael Romo; Alexander Gonzalez, Yordan Osorio, Wilker Angel, Miguel Navarro; Jefferson Savarino, Jhon Murillo, Edson Castillo, Jose Martinez; Darwin Machis, Salomon Rondon

Italy vs Venezuela Head-To-Head

This is the first official meeting between Italy and Venezuela.

Italy vs Venezuela Prediction

Italy are the overwhelming favorite here, but considering it’s only a friendly, don’t expect the European champions to have it easy. The Azzurri aren’t known for their prowess in friendlies, and Venezuela will look to cause them plenty of trouble. Nonetheless, expect Spalletti’s team to prevail here, albeit narrowly.

Predicted Score: Italy 2-1 Venezuela

Italy vs Venezuela Betting Tips and Odds

Betting Tips

• Italy to beat Venezuela
• Goals over 2.5: Yes
• Both teams to score: Yes

Odds

• Italy: 1.48
• Draw: 4.50
• Venezuela: 7.00
• Source: Ladbrokes

Italy vs Venezuela Timings and Telecast

• Date: Thursday, 21st March at 09:00 PM (GMT
• India: SonyLIV
• USA: fuboTV
• Italy: FuboTV
• Venezuela: FuboTV

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