Italy World Cup Betting Preview

Italy odds and free bets for 2010 World Cup

Defending champions Italy fall into the same category as a number of teams behind the two main favourites – Spain and Brazil. On their day, they have the quality to upset the ‘big two’ but aren’t expected to reach the final. Nevertheless, expekt.com are offering good value at odds of 13/1 for to Italy successfully defend the World Cup.

You would say that the Group F draw has been kind to Italy. Other than Paraguay who pose a slight threat, their other two opponents – Slovakia and New Zealand should be dismissed with ease. Italy are clear favourites to win the group at 1/2 with Ladbrokes and bwin.com are offering odds of 23/10 for Italy to take 9 points from the group. Assuming they top the group, Italy should face Denmark in the last 16, Spain in the quarter finals and probably Argentina in the last 4.       

Italy progressed comfortably from Group 8, managing to stay unbeaten throughout the qualifying campaign.

Normally, a key player in a team would be a striker or midfielder. In Italy’s case these two positions have been very much in transition since the last World Cup, with many inexperienced players now occupying these roles. One man, however, has been at the heart of the Italian defence for over 13 years. Fabio Cannavaro may be 36 but he has been one of the greatest defenders of his era. He is the most experienced Italian international ever with 136 caps and has been captain for 8 years. As with many Italian teams, their emphasis is mainly on defence. They only conceded 7 goals in the qualifying campaign and only 2 in the last World Cup. If Italy are to have such a watertight defence this time around, they will need Cannavaro to perform at the highest level.

Italy don’t have a prolific strike force and this could prove to be their downfall. In years gone by they have been able to call upon on the likes of Del Piero and Inzaghi but this time around they have nobody of the same ilk. I think they will progress to the quarter finals where they will find Spain too strong. Odds of 5/2 with Paddy Power for a last 8 elimination look well worth the money.

Reccomended bets: Italy to be eliminated in the Quarter Finals at 5/2 with Paddy Power.

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