Finalissima: Italy vs. Argentina Preview, Odds, Prediction

Finalissima between Italy and Argentina, or the European and the South American champions, takes place at Wembley on Wednesday night. These two marvelous teams will square off to decide who wins this new but very prestigious trophy. Though, it is established on the foundations of the previously abandoned Artemio Franchi Cup, which last took place back in 1993. Both teams should be in the best possible lineups, and that is why we expect one hell of a clash.

Preview

Italy (+200 )lost the advance to the World Cup in the last two events of the group stage, playing 1-1 with Switzerland at home and 0-0 on the road in Northern Ireland. After that, they would suffer a shocking defeat to North Macedonia at home in the playoff semis, 0-2, which pretty much knocked out the entire country.

It seems that the victorious run at the EURO dazzled the team and the players who were relaxed after that success. The Italians won only three games since the finals in London, playing four draws and losing twice. May we say that after winning the European title they won only one event in the World Cup qualifiers.

This team is tactically gifted and has very strong chemistry, with several players able to take over the playmaking responsibility in the midfield. When playing competitive matches, low efficiency is guaranteed, with under 2.5 goals coming in more than 80% of the same.

Argentina (+150) is without a defat for the last 31 games, which is marvelous right now. Gauchos are in perfect shape before the World Cup, and all they need to do is to stay healthy and keep the same rhythm until winter.

No need to say that this is the last chance for Messi, Di Maria and several more players from that generation to win the trophy. They were on the verge of doing that in Brazil back in 2014, but it slipped away.

The Argentinians didn’t have any friendly international games for a long time. Their most recent eleven were all in the World Cup qualifiers, and during that stretch, Messi and the boys won eight and had three draws. A vast majority of those games have ended with under 2.5 goals and with Argentina keeping its net intact.

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Immobile, Castrovilli, Toloi, Berardi and Pinamonti are all out. Chiesa is injured a long time ago.

On the other side, the Argentinians are coming with a full roster.

Head to Head Games

These two sides faced back in 2018. It was a friendly international in which Argentina beat the Italians 2-0. By the way, Italy doesn’t have a win over the Argentinians since 1978.

Prediction

As you can see, Argentina plays tough and defensive-minded football. You won’t see any beauty in it, but it gives results, and 31 games without a defeat are the best proof of that. Meanwhile, Italy, too, prefers a low-intensity and defensive-minded approach, and when you sum up these two facts, the best possible pick in this game would be to bet on low efficiency, that is, under 2.5 goals. Profits are solid for the risk involved, -190.

Pick: Under 2.5 goals -190