Spain vs Italy Bet Builder Tips: 11/4 shot for Thursday

We have both a Spanish Football expert and an Italian one writing for us throughout the Euro's and we get both of their views on this match.

Mark (Spain) will have a full match preview later today but before that, Daniele (Italy) provides us with some Spain vs Italy Bet Builder Tips at price of 11/4...

As the first match day of Euro 2024 concludes, all eyes turn to Gelsenkirchen for an eagerly anticipated game. Spain vs. Italy is a classic Euro match-up, featuring two sides meeting for the fifth time in the last four tournaments, and it promises to be a display of attacking football and tactical acumen.

It’s an opportunity for both teams to test their capabilities against one of Europe’s elite and strengthen their ambitions of going far in the tournament.

*Remember to check out our Spain vs Italy Odds market page on betfred.com for all our live prices and to bet on the match.

Both Teams To Score - Yes

The Group B standout game pits Spain's revitalized attacking force against Italy's resolute defence and strategic brilliance. Spain will be extremely confident, having delivered an attacking masterclass against Croatia. In a shift from their traditional possession-based style, Luis de la Fuente's squad adopted a more direct approach, catching their opponents off guard.

Led by Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, Spain's youthful energy and sharp play dominated the Croats, resulting in a commanding 3-0 victory. The mix of speed, creativity, and clinical finishing highlighted Spain's potential to challenge even the most organized defences.

Italy's debut showcased their trademark resilience, overcoming an early setback to defeat Albania decisively. Goals from Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolò Barella demonstrated Italy's ability to quickly gain control of matches, while their disciplined approach ensured they held their lead with composure.

Given Spain's prolific scoring ability (netting three goals or more in six of their last seven matches) and Italy's talent, a high-scoring encounter seems likely. However, both teams have shown defensive vulnerabilities. Spain risked conceding against Croatia, while Italy nearly allowed a second goal in the final minutes against Albania.

Over 2.5 Goals

In their victory over Croatia, Spain secured only their second-ever tournament-opening win by three or more goals, the last being a 4-1 triumph against Russia at Euro 2008. Historically, matches between Spain and Italy have been tightly contested, often decided by individual brilliance. Recent encounters in major tournaments, including Euro 2020 and the Nations League semifinals in 2021 and 2023, have seen both teams test each other's strengths and expose weaknesses, frequently ending with both sides scoring.

As they prepare to renew their rivalry at Euro 2024, Spain aims to replicate their first match day success, relying on their attacking flair and directness to unsettle Italy's disciplined defense. The pace and creativity of Yamal and Williams could be pivotal in exploiting any defensive gaps.

Álvaro Morata's goal not only secured Spain's win but also made him the second-highest scorer (10 goals) for Spain in major international tournaments, behind only David Villa (13 goals).

On the other hand, Luciano Spalletti's Italian squad boasts a strong line-up, with Jorginho orchestrating play from midfield and Federico Chiesa posing a constant attacking threat. The Juventus striker became the first player at a European Championship to record at least three shots, complete four successful dribbles, and win possession in the final third at least three times since Denmark's Mikkel Damsgaard in 2021.

Italy's recent unbeaten streak across all competitions, with five wins and two draws, highlights their cohesion and ability to perform under pressure—qualities essential against Spain's dynamic team.

Each Team To Take Over 2.5 Corners

Spain's manager, Luis de la Fuente, has been the driving force behind their resurgence, implementing a philosophy focused on purposeful possession and effective transitions, a clear departure from previous tactics. This shift was evident in their opening match, where goals from Álvaro Morata, Fabián Ruiz, and Dani Carvajal demonstrated their ability to strike quickly and decisively. Saturday's performance signalled not just a tactical shift but also a new era for La Roja, blending tradition with innovation under De la Fuente's guidance.

Thanks to their victory over Albania, Italy extended their unbeaten run in European Championship matches to 10 games for just the second time in their history.

The Azzurri’s strategy will likely focus on stifling Spain's attacks and capitalizing on their own opportunities. Spalletti's emphasis on disciplined defending and controlled possession will be crucial in neutralizing Spain's threats while utilizing the pace and skill of Chiesa, Barella, and Dimarco on counterattacks.

But unlike in the Euro 2020 semi-final, when Italy had to soak up pressure for large spells, this time the Azzurri won’t be able to rely on the heroic defending of Bonucci and Chiellini. Therefore, they’ll have to show initiative and courage if they want to get a positive result from this game.

With a place in the Last 16 at stake, this clash between Spain and Italy promises to be one to remember. For Spain, it's a chance to solidify their resurgence and aspire to continental glory once again. For Italy, it's an opportunity to continue their steady climb and reaffirm their status among Europe's elite.

You can get all the latest betting prices for all the matches in this tournament on our Euro 2024 Odds page over on betfred.com

Betfred Match Offers:

Goal Fever

Throughout Euro 2024, Betfred are offering all customers a 25% cash bonus if your selected team in the Match Result market wins by 3+ Goals on selected matches. Spain vs Italy is part of this promotion, so if you back and team and they win by three or more, you would see 25% added to your winnings on that bet.

Double Delight & Hat-Trick Heaven

This Spain vs Italy game is also one for those who like a bit of a potential bonus in the first goalscorer markets. Should the player you bet on score first and subsequently go on to score a second in the match, we'll double the odds and if they get a hat-trick, we'll treble the odds!

Daniele Fisichella primarily covers Italian football for us here at Betfred Insights and he'll be following the Italian national side throughout the Euro's for us. You can check out his and all the other Football Betting Tips from our writing staff on our main Football hub page.