Italy vs Spain Prediction: La Roja to round off an impressive group stage campaign

Spain have already secured their place in the knockout stage at the Uefa European Women's Championship after winning their first two matches in Group B. They wrap up the group stage with a contest against Italy, who are hoping to reach the knockouts for the first time since 2013.

The game takes place at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern on Friday (20:00 BST, BBC One). Below you will find my Italy vs Spain predictions, accompanied by the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Italy head coach Andrea Soncin may consider keeping faith with the side that started the opening two group games.

Roma’s Elena Linari would continue to line up in a back three with the Juventus duo of Cecilia Salvai and Martina Lenzini, if that is the case.

Cristiana Girelli should continue to offer one of Italy’s main goal threats, having scored four goals in her last five international appearances - with one coming at this tournament.

With qualification already secured, Spain boss Montse Tome may remove Ona Batlle and Laia Aleixandri from the lineup, with the pair just one yellow card away from missing the quarter-final.

Jana Fernandez and Maria Mendez are candidates to feature if such a decision is made.

Aitana Bonmati could be given the chance to make her first start at the Euros against Italy, having been restricted to substitute appearances in the opening two matches after being hospitalised with viral meningitis in the lead up to the tournament.

Italy vs Spain Odds

Italy have won three of their last five matches in all competitions and they are 11/1 to take the victory here.

The other two results in that period were draws, and the stalemate is marketed at 5/1.

Spain are the 1/4 favourites to win here and they have won each of their previous seven games across all competitions. They have won their first two group stage matches by at least four goals, and they are 4/1 (which has an implied probability of 20%) to win with a -3 handicap.

Spain -2 handicap @ 13/8

Spain can afford to take this one easy and rest some of their stars for the knockout stage, but I don't think this is how they operate. They will want as much momentum as they can generate to take with them into the quarter-finals, and so I do believe we will see a relatively strong team take to the field against Italy.

The pre-tournament favourites have been exceptional in Switzerland so far and with 11 goals scored already, they are striking fear into all their rivals bidding for European glory this summer.

In contrast, Italy have just two goals themselves, but they have only conceded once - so this looks to be the toughest defence La Roja will face to date. That being said, I think their attacking options will also give Italy's defenders headaches they have not yet had in Switzerland.

Spain have ran riot against both Portugal and Belgium and I reckon Italy will be next to experience their frightening firepower. For that reason, I'm backing La Roja to win with a -2 handicap.

If you are unfamiliar with how this market works, Italy will be given a hypothetical 2-0 lead, so Spain would need to score three goals without conceding for the bet to be settled as a winner.

Today's Football Fixtures

Alexia Putellas anytime goalscorer @ 13/8

Someone who has been lighting up the Euros stage for Spain thus far is the versatile star Alexia Putellas. The two-time Ballon d'Or winner has netted three goals in Switzerland so far, having bagged a brace against Belgium last time out.

The 31-year-old Barcelona star is playing with plenty of confidence and the Italians are going to be well aware of the threat she poses to them, but stopping her is something else entirely.

Having helped her country to World Cup glory two years ago, she will be desperate to add a European title to her impressive CV. Spain may have already got the job done in the group stage, but she is very much in the running for the Golden Boot award and I think another goal awaits her on Friday.

Offers

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