Italy vs Russia
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Today’s secondary featured game is the international friendly between Italy and Russia. Italy didn’t play their home game against Luxembourg lately due to an earthquake in Italy but will get their chance in Switzerland today against Russia.
The same applies to this game as what I applied to their game with Luxembourg, though – Italy are not in a good place right now. Lots of fans and players alike are disillusioned with Italian football following yet more arrests due to match-fixing, the most recent of which is Lazio captain Mauri. When will it end? I love football but if I found out that it was all fake then I don’t think I could carry on following it. Subsequently, I don’t feel that Italy will have a lot of support today. They’ve got some very good players in their side but let’s not forget that Prandelli has left out a lot of experienced players from this squad. There’s still enough quality in their squad to win games like these but I just find Italy a shade bland and predictable nowadays and not too threatening in front of goal. There are some exceptions to that ruling, not least Mario Balotelli, who is potentially a world-class striker. However, his temperament walks hand-in-hand with his failure and he could just as easily cost his side the game as turn it on so you never know what you’ll get with him.
I’m just not sure that Russia can do much either. In some ways, this is an easier game for Russia than their encounter with Lithuania last mach was. Lithuania’s second string parked the bus and fought like lions for their derby game and got a 0-0 as a result. Russia will encounter an Italian side today that will attack them and maybe Russia won’t need their playmakers to bail them out so much here as they can rely on pacey counter-attacks down the flanks. Russia need to work hard if the Italians do motivate themselves to try and “repay” the fans for the match-fixing and Italy do have a lot of strong leaders in their squad to allow such a thing to occur.
However, I can’t look past the fact that these two sides are low-scoring and largely uninteresting sides nowadays. Italy are the better side but there’s not much in it nowadays. Unless Italy really turn it, I think taking under 2 goals is worth a bet at 11/10.
Verdict: Under 2 goals at 11/10.
Friday’s Picks
As ever, if there are any explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below, although I feel compelled to write that the below are not necessarily my tips but merely my thoughts to prevent endless questions about my thoughts on certain games!
International Friendlies:
Czech Republic vs Hungary (5) 1-1
Austria vs Ukraine (5) 2-1
Italy vs Russia (6) 0-0
Kazakhstan vs Kyrgyzstan (8) 2-0
Hong Kong vs Singapore (5) 0-1
Malaysia vs Philippines (7) 2-0
Panama vs Jamaica (5) 1-1
Guatemala vs Costa Rica (6) 2-2
Baltic Cup:
Latvia vs Lithuania (6) 2-1
Estonia vs Finland (5) 1-1
UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifiers:
Czech Republic vs Montenegro (7) 2-0
Hungary vs Turkey (5) 1-1
Norway vs Azerbaijan (7) 2-0
Luxembourg vs Netherlands (8) 0-2
Moldova vs Poland (6) 0-1
Slovenia vs Malta (8) 1-0
Slovakia vs Romania (5) 1-1
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Belarus (6) 0-1
Faroe Islands vs Republic of Macedonia (5) 1-1
San Marino vs Greece (9) 0-2
Portugal vs Russia (6) 2-1
Toulon Tournament:
Mexico vs Turkey (7) 2-1
France vs Netherlands (6) 2-1
Danish 1st Division:
Randers vs AB Copenhagen (7) over 2.5 goals
Viborg vs Fredericia (6) over 2.5 goals
Irish Premier League:
Dundalk vs Drogheda United (5) 1-1, at least one red card in this game
Bohemians vs Sligo Rovers (6) 1-1
Bray Wanderers vs UCD (7) 1-0
Derry City vs Shelbourne (6) 2-1
Monaghan United vs St.Patrick’s Athletic (5) 1-1
Shamrock Rovers vs Cork City (6) 2-1
Uruguayan Primera Division:
Rampla Juniors vs Fenix (5) 1-1
Penarol vs Cerro (7) 2-1
Enjoy your free betting tips!