Italy vs Albania – Match Preview

The European Championship begins as Italy hosts Albania at the BVB Stadion Dortmund. This opening round of EURO Grp. B is scheduled for Friday, June 15th at 19:00 GMT. Both teams are starting afresh in this prestigious tournament. Italy, ranked third, and Albania, currently leading the group, are both aiming for an early lead. The Azzurri, favored by the odds, are keen to prove their strength. Albania, on the other hand, aims to continue their surprising lead in the standings.

Italy – Form

Italy has shown commendable form at home. They secured a 1:0 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 9th, thanks to Davide Frattesi’s goal. Before this, they drew with Turkey, ending a scoring streak in home friendlies. The team also claimed a 2:0 victory over Ecuador, showcasing solid performance in friendly matches.

Albania – Form

Albania’s performance has been varied. Their last game against Azerbaijan on June 7, 2024, ended in a 3:1 victory. This was followed by a 3:0 win against Liechtenstein. However, they faced a 1:0 defeat to Sweden, aligning with expectations. Despite their success at home, their performance away from home raises questions as they approach this match.

Italy – Albania – Head to Head

The last encounter between Italy and Albania was on November 16, 2022. Italy won 3-1 in a friendly match. Over the last 10 matches, Italy has won 4 times, while Albania has not secured a victory. Italy’s defense has been strong, keeping a clean sheet in 3 of the last 4 matches against Albania. Albania has found it challenging to score, with less than 1.5 goals in their last 4 meetings with Italy.

Italy – Albania – Standings

Italy and Albania are set to clash at the BVB Stadion Dortmund for their first match in EURO Grp. B. Both teams have yet to play in this year’s European Championship, making this game crucial for setting the tone for their campaigns. They are currently ranked 3rd and 1st respectively, each holding 0 points.

Italy vs Albania – Top scorers

Mateo Retegui leads as the home team’s top scorer with two goals. Nicolo Barella, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Davide Frattesi have each contributed a goal, showing a balanced midfield threat. For Albania, Qazim Laci and Ernest Muci have each scored twice. With support from Jasir Asani and Nedim Bajrami, and a goal from Armando Broja, Albania’s attack is diverse and potent.

Italy vs Albania – Full-Time Betting

Bookmakers favor Italy with odds of 1.40 for a win. A draw is at 4.50, and an Albanian victory is at 8.50. Italy’s strong form and head-to-head record against Albania make them the favorites. The “halftime-fulltime” market, with Italy leading at both intervals, is at 1.952. “Draw-no-bet” for Italy is at 1.111, and “double-chance” bets for an Italy win or draw are at 1.083.

Italy vs Albania – Over/Under Betting

Italy has won all of the last four matches against Albania, with three victories featuring fewer than 2.5 goals. “Over 2.5” goals is at odds of 2.00, while “Under 2.5” goals is at 1.80. The “Under 2.5” option might be safer, expecting a game with fewer goals. However, “Over 2.5” odds could appeal to those expecting an offensive breakout from Italy.

Italy vs Albania – BTTS Betting

The odds for “BTTS: Yes” are at 2.375, while “BTTS: No” is at 1.533. Italy’s strong defensive record and Albania’s challenges in scoring on the road suggest “BTTS: No” at 1.533 is more likely in this EURO Grp. B opener.

Italy vs Albania – Prediction