Predictions 17.06-21.06.2023

Netherlands vs Italy | Nations League

18/06/2023 14:00

Prediction: 2-1

Italy has once again fallen short in the UEFA Nations Cup, losing to Spain and now having to compete for third place against the Netherlands. The match will take place at De Grolsch Veste in Enschede on Sunday, June 18, 2023.

Italy’s performance in the match against Spain was underwhelming, and they only managed to score through a penalty kick by Ciro Immobile. Coach Roberto Mancini expressed disappointment and attributed the loss to the wrong tactical choices. The Netherlands, on the other hand, suffered a 4-2 defeat against Croatia in the other semi-final, despite aiming to win the title on home soil.

Taking a broader look at recent performances, the Netherlands have struggled to secure victories within regular time, with their last two matches (including the World Cup in Qatar) ending in draws. In their last five official matches, they have recorded 2 wins, 2 draws, and 1 defeat. Italy, on the other hand, has only managed to defeat Malta in their last four games after suffering losses against Austria, England, and Spain.

Looking at the historical head-to-head record between the two teams, they have faced each other 23 times since 1920. The balance stands at 10 victories for Italy, 10 draws, and 3 victories for the Netherlands. The last match played on Dutch soil was on September 7, 2020, with Italy winning 1-0 in the UEFA Nations League. Their most recent encounter, also in the same competition, resulted in a 1-1 draw.

• Italy have lost 3 of their last 4 official matches and conceded goals in 4 of their last 5 matches in all competitions.
• The Netherlands have scored in 22 of their last 23 games in all competitions.
• Both teams have scored in 4 of their last 6 H2H matches.

Croatia vs Spain | Nations League

18/06/2023 19:45

Prediction: 0-1

In a highly anticipated showdown, Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia and Luis de la Fuente’s Spain are set to clash for the coveted title of the 2023 UEFA Nations League. This thrilling final will take place on Sunday, June 18, 2023, at the iconic Feijenoord Stadium, affectionately known as De Kuip, situated in Rotterdam.

In a captivating display of skill and determination, the Croatian team secured their place in the final by triumphing over the Netherlands in a fiercely contested match that ended with a score of 4-2 in favor of Croatia. Goals from Andrej Kramaric, Mario Pasalic, Bruno Petkovic, and Luka Modric propelled them to the pinnacle of this tournament for the first time in its recent history, marking a significant milestone in their journey. Notably, this achievement holds even greater weight considering that this is the third edition of the competition.

On the other side, Spain will be seeking redemption as they find themselves in the final for the second time, having previously suffered a defeat two years ago against France in Milan, with a final score of 2-1. The Red Furies earned their place in this clash of titans by overcoming Italy with a 2-1 victory in the UEFA Nations League semi-final. Yeremy Pino and Joselu showcased their scoring prowess, fueling Spain’s aspirations for glory.

This final stage represents a remarkable turnaround for Spain, considering their previous setback during the qualifiers for the upcoming European Championship when they experienced a disappointing knockout against Scotland on home soil. Their impressive triumph over Italy has alleviated the pressure and revived their confidence, positioning them as formidable contenders for the ultimate prize.

Meanwhile, Croatia continues to bask in a period of great success. Following their remarkable achievement of securing the bronze medal at the World Cup in Qatar, they have consistently delivered positive results, culminating in this highly anticipated final. The prospect of emerging victorious in this momentous showdown adds the final touch to their already illustrious journey.

• Spain leads 5-3 in H2H matches against Croatia. Only one draw between the two teams.
• In the last 3 head-to-head matches, fewer than 5 goals have never been scored, while the over 2.5 comes from 4 games in a row.
• Croatia have scored in their last 4 games in a row.
• Spain have scored in 26 of their last 28 competitive matches across all competitions.
• Spain have scored at least 1 goal in all matches in this edition of the UEFA Nations League. Croatia in 6 out of 7.