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Italy have claimed 13 wins in their previous 21 encounters against Belgium. The last 5 matches between the sides has produced 18 goals.

The Azzurri have drawn 15 games in European Championship history, more than any other country. This includes 8 goalless draws.

Two very good teams, I can see this one being a very close affair, so I think it will end up as a draw, 1-1 most likely.

Ugh... my expectations for Italy are the lowest they have ever been. All half-decent Italian players are either injured or too old, so I don't expect much from this game. But... hope dies last.

Belgium are a very good team. De Bryune is a star, but their many defensive injuries are Italy's hope.

Buffon, Chiellini, Bazagli and Bonucci should be pretty solid at the back but other than that it's not inspiring stuff. How Eder got called up I'll never know.

italy rarely have 2 bad tournaments on the spin... i expect them to get out the group and then it all depends on who they get...

Well, they are bound to be in the final in 2018 (every 12 years and all)

On paper it's the best match of the group stage and it's on prime time too so wouldn't be surprised if it's terrible!

Belgium look the better side on paper I think. Italy are obviously always a wily tournament team but tend to alternate between good and bad tournaments. Pirlo has been the heartbeat of the side for over a decade and he's now gone. It'll be strange to see them without him.

If Belgium's players show up, I think they'll win 2-0.

Mark Clattenburg will be the referee for this one.

Belgium have a lot to prove at this tournament though. They have a fantastic squad "on paper" but they haven't really shown much for the last couple of years (dropping four points to the Welsh for example in the qualifiers). It wouldn't even surprise me if they had a fairly disappointing Euros.

Hazard will want to impress his new boss tonight.

Looking forward to this one.

Fellaini to get the winner!

They're basically England from ten years ago!

I suppose Red Devil fans should stick together!

Well Éder was called up at the expense of Mario Ballotelli so presumably Conte thinks he's good enough for this level. They have an experienced, proven striker who has been left out so Éder has got to provide something which the others don't.

How was Balotelli even in the reckoning for the squad??

I'd have taken Pavoletti, Berardi or Belotti over Eder.

He wasn't.

Probably the best penalty taker on the planet and is a proven international goalscorer. He's had a couple of terrible seasons at club level but he's always been great at international level.

Oh, and he's also a total lad

Oh sorry, that post came across to me like he was, my error if it was not supposed to be like that.


What does "being a total lad" mean? And how is that supposedly a good thing??

The last time he was any where close to being good was four years ago,that is an awful long time ago now.

Lord only knows where he will be playing his club football next season, as I doubt that Klopp will want to keep him around.

Italy are indeed poor as a team these days. Seriously, where has their attacking talent, especially upfront gone?

Saying that, I can see this being a high-scoring game with either both teams drawing 3-3 or Belgium steamrolling Italy. This Belgium team needs to click at some point, and a few things have shifted within the team and squad: new defensive pairing (Denayer & Vermaelen), new starting striker possibly (Batshuayi) and a new star man in DeBruyne.

I want to see blonde Fellaini!

Belgium need to do something this year if they want to be regarded as the fine team their selection of players suggests they should be.

Two teams that cannot be trusted doing battle. Should be interesting.

Belgium have been unconvincing for an awfully long time, though. And having seen them play in a few friendlies recently and make hard work of it against the likes of Finland despite absolutely dominating the possession, I can't have them at all.

Either 0-0 or 1-0 Italy I think.

like the other game in the group i'm gonna go for a 1-1...