Third Time Lucky For The Azzurri?
Bilino Polje | World Cup play-off final | Tuesday March 31 | 7:45pm
Ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup play-off final clash, BetVictor News brings you the Bosnia vs Italy preview, prediction, H2H record, betting angles and more.
Bosnia Vs Italy Preview
Once again, Bosnia will play the role of underdogs as they try to dethrone World Cup royalty in the form of Italy on Tuesday night. The Bosnians are 90 minutes away from a second-ever World Cup finals appearance after beating Wales on Thursday.
Veteran forward and Dragons legend Edin Dzeko scored an 86th minute equaliser whereby Sergej Barbarez’s side eventually progressed on penalties. The 1-1 draw after 90 minutes saw the Welsh take the game to the Eastern Europeans but ultimately, their own failure from 12 yards cost them dearly.
As for the Azzurri – who are the heavy favourites when it comes to the Bosnia vs Italy odds – they cruised past Northern Ireland to set up the play-off final in Zenica. Newcastle star Sandro Tonali and Fiorentina ace Moise Kean netted in the comfortable 2-0 win in Bergamo.
After their well-publicised play-off defeats to Sweden and North Macedonia in the last two World Cup campaigns, the Italians will no doubt be nervous. A third consecutive tournament without the four-time winners is hard to fathom. A defeat would be borderline catastrophic.
Bosnia Vs Italy H2H Record
The Bosnia vs Italy H2H record is fairly scarce with only six meetings between nations ever being contested. The very first in 1996 actually ended in a surprise 2-1 win for the Bosnians. Hasan Salihamidzic and Elvir Bolic netted either side of Enrico Chiesa’s strike.
That, however, is as good as it got for the Dragons. Four of the next five clashes ended in victory for the Azzurri with a 1-1 draw being contested in September 2020. In terms of the overall aggregate score, the Italians lead 10-4.
- 09/06/2024 – Italy 1-0 Bosnia
- 18/11/2020 – Bosnia 0-2 Italy
- 04/09/2020 – Italy 1-1 Bosnia
- 15/11/2019 – Bosnia 0-3 Italy
- 11/06/2019 – Italy 2-1 Bosnia
- 06/11/1996 – Bosnia 2-1 Italy
Bosnia Vs Italy Team News
Edin Dzeko will be absolutely instrumental to Bosnia’s chances on Tuesday night. He is the Dragons leading goalscorer (73) and has the highest number of caps (147). Not only that, his spells with Roma, Fiorentina and Inter Milan means Gennaro Gattuso’s side will know all about the threat he carries. Despite him being 40.
Bosnia also have Tarik Muharmovic and Sead Kolasinac in their ranks. They currently ply their trade in Serie A and alongside Dzeko, will all start at the Bilino Polje. Head coach Sergej Barbarez may also opt for teenage talent Kerim Alajbegovic whereas Dennis Hadzikadunic is the biggest absence.
Meanwhile, Italy will be able to welcome back defenders Alessandro Bastoni, Gianluca Mancini and Riccardo Calafiori. If the Azzurri were to advance – where they would be one of the outsiders in the World Cup outright betting market – they would be pivotal to their chances.
Further up the pitch, Inter prodigy Pio Esposito is set to get the nod over Mateo Retegui. The former Atalanta man struggled back in Bergamo so could well be utilised from the subs bench if required. Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa is absent alongside Gianluca Scamacca.
Bosnia Vs Italy Predicted Lineups
Bosnia predicted lineup:
Vasilj; Dedic, Muharemovic, Katic, Kolasinac; Memic, Tahirovic, Sunjic, Alajbegovic; Demirovic, Dzeko
Italy predicted lineup:
Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Politano, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Kean, Esposito
Bosnia Vs Italy Betting Angles
Key Match Stats
- Italy have won four out of the six H2H meetings, including the last two
- Bosnia have lost the last two H2H clashes on home soil without scoring
- Both teams haven’t made the World Cup finals since 2014
Top Betting Angles for Bosnia Vs Italy
- Both Teams to Score (BTTS): Plenty to ponder, Bosnia have scored in their last 12 on the bounce, Italy have their last eight.
- Over 2.5 Goals: 13 of Italy’s last 17 have seen over 2.5 goals scored.
- Late goals: Four of Italy’s last five away games have seen a goal scored in the 75th+minute
Bosnia Vs Italy Prediction
Bosnia will have an air of confidence about them whereas it’s likely Italy will be slightly nervous. Especially after their play-off failures for the 2018 and 2022 editions. Nonetheless, Gennaro Gattuso’s side have enough quality about them and should just about edge a cagey affair.
Prediction: Bosnia 1-2 Italy
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