Football Bet of the Day: Goals expected in Norway

Friday’s Football Bet of the Day sees us turn our attention to the international action, and there’s a big game coming our way from Group I. Italy had been competing in the Nations League so this is their first World Cup qualifier, as they travel to Norway (19:45, Amazon Prime).

Stale Solbakken’s side have won two from two, scoring nine goals in the process, so this should be an exciting encounter. Below you can find my selection for Friday’s Football Bet of the Day.

I can’t call this game in terms of a match result, so instead I’m hoping for goals. Based on what we have seen so far, and the attacking quality on the pitch, I think it should be an entertaining fixture.

Italy have historically been known as a defensively solid and a ‘boring’ international outfit, but I think that perspective has slightly shifted in recent years. Luciano Spalletti was known for his attacking football at Napoli and he has carried that into this role, with six of the last seven Italy fixtures containing over 2.5 goals. 

Their recent Nations League quarter-final against Germany showed their strength up top and also their weakness at the back, which leads me to believe that both teams should get on the scoresheet - potentially multiple times. 

Italy drew that second leg in Germany 3-3, but having lost 2-1 at home did not progress to the semi-finals. Moise Kean scored twice in that draw as Italy came from 3-0 down on the night to draw, but it wasn’t quite enough. The hosts took advantage of their defensive frailties and Italy just haven’t been able to sort themselves out at the back, keeping just one clean sheet since Euro 2024. 

Football Odds

That 3-5-2 system seems solid on paper but Spalletti is struggling for quality at the back, and I think Norway can take advantage. Erling Haaland barely needs any introduction for the hosts and he still bagged 22 league goals this season despite Man City’s poor campaign. 

He should play up top in this strange international break before the Club World Cup, with Norway needing their main man to try and qualify for their first World Cup since 1998. He may be partnered by Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth, who had a wonderful season with the Spanish giants, scoring 20 league goals. 

This front two has what it takes to tear Italy apart, if the likes of Martin Odegaard can supply them. Their recent goalscoring form has been sensational, scoring nine in their last two outings, and 18 in their last four matches - averaging 4.5 goals per game. 

All of this is enough to convince me that we can see over 3.5 goals as they host Italy, in what should be a thrilling game on Friday night.