Italy v Scotland predictions, betting tips, odds and free bets (International Friendly - 29.5.2016)

Sunday, 29 May 2016 16:45
Written by David Bet

Italy will be hoping for a morale-boosting victory when they face Scotland in a most anticipated international friendly at the Ta'Qali National Stadium in Malta on Sunday evening. Don't miss our Italy v Scotland betting preview with predictions, betting tips, enhanced odds, probable line-ups, bookie bonuses and no deposit free bets on the International Friendlies.

ITALY v SCOTLAND BETTING PREVIEW

Italy topped their Euro 2016 qualification group by four points away from second placed Croatia with an unbeaten record of 7 victories and 3 draws. Anyway, the Azzurri were hammered 4-1 by Germany in their last international friendly match and have failed to win in four friendlies since the end of their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign (D2-L2). They are drawn into a tricky group consisting of Republic of Ireland, Sweden and Belgium at the Euro 2016.

There are places up for grabs in midfield after both Marco Verratti and Claudio Marchisio were ruled out through injury while Riccardo Montolivo and Thiago Motta have undergone tests on calf injuries and remain doubts. Daniele Rugani, Davide Zappacosta, Marco Benassi and Stefano Sturaro are all lined up to make their debut. Eder and Ciro Immobile are in contention for a place in attack alongside Graziano Pellè.

Scotland missed out on the qualification for Euro showdown in France after finishing fourth in their group. They come into this fixture on the back of three consecutive victories against Gibraltar, Czech Republic and Denmark and they kept clean-sheets in all of those matches. Their recent record in friendlies is impressive, with only one defeat in their last 9 and nine wins from their last 13. England are responsible for both of their defeats in that time

The Tartan Army will be without Andy Robertson, Robert Snodgrass, Shaun Maloney and Barry Bannan for this game due to their participation in the Championship playoff final at Wembley. The likes of Lee Wallace, Chris Martin and Alan Hutton are sidelined. Gordon Strachan will also be without goal keepers Allan McGregor and Scott Bain. The Scottish managar could give defender Callum Paterson and Rangers midfielder Barrie McKay a well deserved debut.

Italy have an impressive record against the Scots, having lost just one of the previous 10 meetings between the two nations.