Italy vs Belgium Lineups, Prediction, Betting Tips & Odds

Italy vs Belgium Match Summary

Any Italy vs Belgium prediction starts with a heavyweight opener at the Stadio Olimpico, and for the neutral SA viewer this is a proper Friday-night watch between two European sides desperate for a fast Nations League start.

The home side arrive with plenty to prove. Roberto Mancini is back in charge for a second spell, and the Azzurri are rebuilding after missing out on the 2026 World Cup through a playoff defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Belgium, though, land in Rome full of belief. Under Mark van Bommel they reached the quarter-finals at the 2026 World Cup, bowing out only to eventual champions Spain, and they carry real momentum into this one.

These are familiar foes in this competition, and the recent record between the sides points to a tight, feisty affair with the stakes high for both camps chasing a winning opener.

Italy vs Belgium Lineups & Team News

Injuries & Suspensions

Italy: Filippo Mane (Injured/out), Marco Dagasso (Injured/out), Jeff Ekhator (Injured/out), Bryan Cristante (Injured/out), Federico Dimarco (Injured/doubtful)

Belgium: Amadou Onana (Injured/out), Leandro Trossard (Injured/out)

Italy

The Azzurri have a few gaps to work around, with Bryan Cristante and Filippo Mane confirmed out and Federico Dimarco a doubt after picking up a knee knock heading into the break. Francesco Pio Esposito is set to spearhead the attack, with Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Barella providing the legs in the middle for the home side.

Belgium

Van Bommel's side travel without injured pair Amadou Onana and Leandro Trossard, which trims their options through the spine and out wide. The big boost is that Kevin De Bruyne is fit and ready to operate in his advanced midfield role, and he remains the man most likely to unlock this fixture for the away side.

Italy vs Belgium Predicted Lineup

Italy

Formation: 4-3-3

Predicted Starting Lineup: Donnarumma; Calafiori, Bastoni, Mancini, Kayode; Tonali, Ricci, Barella; Raspadori, Esposito, Zaniolo

Belgium

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Starting Lineup: Lammens; Cuyper, Debast, Winter, Castagne; Lavia, Tielemans; Godts, De Bruyne, Lukebakio; De Ketelaere

Italy vs Belgium Form

Italy are still finding their feet after that shootout heartbreak against Bosnia-Herzegovina cost them a World Cup place. Since then the Azzurri have ground out narrow 1-0 wins over Luxembourg and Greece, so results are ticking over even if the football has been cagey. Francesco Pio Esposito is expected to lead the line, with Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Barella running the engine room.

Belgium look the more settled of the two right now. They topped their World Cup group before reaching the last eight, seeing off Senegal and the USA on the way, and have lost just one of their last 19 internationals. That is Bafana-level consistency any coach would take, and with Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings behind the striker, the visitors carry a real edge in quality.

Italy vs Belgium Key Stats & Match Facts

• Italy have received 2+ cards in each of their last 3 matches against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League A.

Italy vs Belgium Prediction & Best Bets

Our prediction: This looks a genuinely tight one, and the numbers lean towards the away side. Our Italy vs Belgium prediction is a 1-2 Belgium win, with De Bruyne's craft and the visitors' settled shape edging a Rome opener that should have goals at both ends.

Best Bets

Back both teams to find the net in this UEFA Nations League encounter. Both sides carry serious attacking quality and recent meetings between them have regularly produced goals at both ends, so with each camp juggling defensive changes, this Italy vs Belgium best bets angle stacks up nicely.

Back Italy to secure the victory against Belgium. Italy hold a strong head-to-head edge with four home wins in this fixture's record, and while the visitors travel without Amadou Onana and Leandro Trossard, home advantage in Rome could tilt a close call the hosts' way.

Italy vs Belgium Bet Builder

Our four-leg Italy vs Belgium bet builder tips backs Italy to win, both teams to score, Romelu Lukaku to net anytime and Nicolas Raskin to be shown a card in a fiery Rome opener.

Italy to win leans on home advantage at the Stadio Olimpico and a settled Azzurri spine, with Mancini's men chasing the winning start their rebuild badly needs.

Both teams to score makes sense with De Bruyne pulling strings for Belgium and Esposito leading Italy's line, as both attacks carry enough to find the net.

Romelu Lukaku to score anytime fits neatly, with the striker spearheading Belgium's frontline as their main outlet in front of goal on the road.

Nicolas Raskin to be carded reflects a demanding job in the engine room, where Italy have picked up plenty of cards in this fixture and the tempo should stay high.

At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 22/1 and is as short as 17/1 elsewhere. That's a difference in potential winnings of R44 from best to worst price.

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

There is a neat South African hook here in the Belgium dugout. Mark van Bommel started every match for the Netherlands at the 2010 FIFA World Cup on our soil, including the final in Johannesburg, so the man plotting the away side's plan knows Mzansi football memories well. In Rome, meanwhile, Mancini has been open that good football and results are the best medicine to reconnect the Azzurri with their supporters after a bruising spell.

Italy vs Belgium Predictions FAQs

When is the Italy vs Belgium match?

The match is scheduled to take place on Friday 25 September 2026, kicking off at 20:45 SAST.

Where is Italy vs Belgium being played?

The match will be played at the Stadio Olimpico.

What is the latest team news for Italy vs Belgium?

Italy are without Bryan Cristante and Filippo Mane through injury, with Federico Dimarco doubtful. Belgium will be without injured duo Amadou Onana and Leandro Trossard, while Kevin De Bruyne is fit to play.

What are the probable lineups for Italy vs Belgium?

Italy's probable lineup includes Donnarumma, Calafiori, Bastoni, Mancini, Kayode, Tonali, Ricci, Barella, Raspadori, Esposito, and Zaniolo. Belgium are projected to start Lammens, Cuyper, Debast, Winter, Castagne, Lavia, Tielemans, Godts, De Bruyne, Lukebakio, and De Ketelaere.

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