Read our Italy vs Belgium prediction with betting tips, lineups, and odds ahead of Friday's Nations League clash. Find the key team news and expert picks.
Italy vs Belgium Match Summary
Competition | UEFA Nations League |
|---|---|
Match Date | Friday 25 September 2026 |
Match Time | 19:45 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Rome, Stadio Olimpico |
Italy host Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome as the UEFA Nations League gets going, and this fixture looks a heavyweight opener from the off.
The Azzurri arrive with plenty to prove after missing out on the 2026 World Cup, and Francesco Pio Esposito is expected to lead the line for Roberto Mancini's reshaped side on Friday night.
Belgium land in Rome in far better spirits, having reached the quarter-finals in the summer under new boss Mark van Bommel. Kevin De Bruyne is fit and ready to pull the strings in attacking midfield.
There is edge here too. Italy have picked up 2+ cards in each of their last three meetings with Belgium in UEFA Nations League A, so expect another feisty, competitive night.
Italy vs Belgium Form
Italy come in on the back of a bruising campaign, missing the 2026 World Cup after a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in qualifying. Since then they have ground out narrow 1-0 wins over Luxembourg and Greece, so the finishing edge is a work in progress for the Azzurri.
Belgium look the sharper outfit right now. They topped their World Cup group in the summer and reached the quarter-finals after beating Senegal and the USA, only falling 2-1 to eventual champions Spain. Van Bommel's side have lost just one of their last 19 internationals, with De Bruyne still the creative heartbeat.
Italy vs Belgium Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Italy: F. Mane (Injured/out), M. Dagasso (Injured/out), J. Ekhator (Injured/out), B. Cristante (Injured/out), F. Dimarco (Injured/doubtful)
Belgium: A. Onana (Injured/out), L. Trossard (Injured/out)
Italy
Italy are without a clutch of names, with Filippo Mane and Bryan Cristante among the confirmed absentees, while Federico Dimarco is nursing a knee injury and remains doubtful. Up front, Francesco Pio Esposito is expected to lead the line for the Azzurri.
Belgium
Belgium travel to Italy without Amadou Onana and Leandro Trossard, both ruled out of the trip. The big boost is that Kevin De Bruyne is fit and ready to feature in an attacking midfield role, giving the visitors a genuine game-changer.
Italy vs Belgium Predicted Lineup
Italy
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Starting Lineup: Donnarumma; Kayode, Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Tonali, Ricci, Barella; Zaniolo, Esposito, Raspadori
Belgium
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: Lammens; Castagne, Debast, De Winter, De Cuyper; Lavia, Tielemans; Lukébakio, De Bruyne, Godts; De Ketelaere
Check out all the latest oddschecker Free Bets & Sign-Up Offers for Italy vs Belgium.
Italy vs Belgium Key Stats & Match Facts
Italy have received 2+ cards in three of their last three matches against Belgium in UEFA Nations League A.
Belgium have lost just one of their last 19 international matches.
This is the opening fixture of the sides' 2026-27 UEFA Nations League Group A1, which also features France and Turkey.
Italy missed the 2026 World Cup after a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, then won 1-0 against both Luxembourg and Greece.
Belgium reached the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals in the summer, going out 2-1 to eventual champions Spain.
Italy vs Belgium Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: This one points towards goals at both ends. Belgium carry real menace with De Bruyne pulling the strings, and having lost just one of their last 19 internationals they should have enough to nick it. Our prediction is a narrow 2-1 away win, with Italy priced at 13/10 (AK Bets) and Belgium at 11/5 (Bet365) in the win market.
Best Bets
Back Both Teams To Score - Yes in the Both Teams To Score market. Both sides carry creative attacking quality, with Raspadori, De Bruyne and De Ketelaere all capable of unlocking a defence, and recent meetings between these two have regularly seen both teams find the net.
Back Over 2.5 Goals in the Total Goals Over/Under market. Four of the previous six meetings between Italy and Belgium have produced three or more goals, and with defensive absences on both sides this shapes up as an open, high-scoring contest.
Italy vs Belgium Bet Builder
Our four-leg bet builder backs Italy to win, Romelu Lukaku to score anytime, both teams to score, and Nicolas Raskin to be shown a card in a spicy midfield battle.
Italy to win kicks it off. Backed at home in front of their own fans, the Azzurri have the tools to edge a tight one on a big night in Rome.
Romelu Lukaku anytime goalscorer is next. As the focal point of the Belgium attack, he is the obvious man to find the back of the net.
Both teams to score fits the picture too, with plenty of attacking quality on show and recent meetings between these nations regularly producing goals at both ends.
Nicolas Raskin to be shown a card rounds it off. Italy have picked up 2+ cards in each of their last three clashes with Belgium, so expect the bookings to fly.
At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 22/1 and is as short as 18/1 elsewhere.
Make sure to get the best odds on your Bet Builder with Oddschecker's Exclusive Bet Builder Comparison Tool.
Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
Italy vs Belgium Talking Points
This is a night of fresh starts in both dugouts. Roberto Mancini is back in charge of Italy for a second spell, taking over after Gennaro Gattuso's exit following the World Cup qualifying campaign, and he faces the immediate task of lifting a side still smarting from missing the finals. In the opposite corner, Mark van Bommel begins his reign as Belgium boss after Rudi Garcia departed post-World Cup, and he inherits a group brimming with attacking quality led by the ever-influential Kevin De Bruyne. With both teams reshaping and history telling us these meetings get feisty, expect plenty of intensity from the first whistle.
Italy vs Belgium Predictions FAQs
When is the Italy vs Belgium UEFA Nations League game?
The match kicks off at 19:45 UK time on Friday 25 September 2026.
Where is Italy vs Belgium being played?
The match will be played at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
What competition is Italy vs Belgium in?
Italy vs Belgium is a fixture in the UEFA Nations League.
Disclaimer
Important information: This article may contain links to betting offers or promotions for Italy vs Belgium that were available at the time of publication. These offers may have since expired, changed, or no longer be available.
Oddschecker offers are selected from operators that our football experts work with regularly and have first-hand experience of. If you open an account via one of these links, Oddschecker may earn commission. This helps support our coverage and allows us to continue producing expert analysis and football content across UEFA Nations League.
Please gamble responsibly. 18+.
