Greece and Italy meet in Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis, in a match for this phase of the Qualification Round for the European Championship (Qualifying Round). There is no record of direct confrontations between these two teams in the last 3 years. The last match was played on 19-11-2008 and ended with the score: Greece (1-1) Italy. In this game the home factor may be decisive, since Greece presents considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor.
Greece:
The home team comes to this 3rd round of Group J in the 2nd position, with 4 points won, after 1 win and 1 draw. In their first match in this group stage they won out against Liechtenstein, by (0-2). In the 2nd round, they drew level against Bosnia-Herzegovina by (2-2). This is a team that usually gets better results in away matches than at home, since in the last 30 matches they register 7 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses in away matches, with 20 goals scored and 18 conceded; against 6 wins, 3 draws and 6 losses at their stadium, with 18 goals scored and 14 conceded. The team comes to this match after a loss away to Turkey by (2-1). In the last 8 home matches for all competitions, Greece won 3, drew 2 and lost 3. Their offense has scored frequently, since they have scored goals in 7 of the last 10 matches. In their away matches there is a tendency for few goals, since 6 of the last 8 matches have ended with Under 2,5 goals. In 15 games, he suffered the first goal 8 times and never got the comeback.
Greece’s team currently occupies the second position in its group. He is behind the powerful Italian team, which is his next opponent, in a match valid for the qualifiers of the European Championship. Greece is aware that it will not be an easy match, because it is never easy to face the Italian team, but they will play against their fans and that can be an extra motivation to leave the field with victory and solidity in the qualifying zone and to reach the leadership of the group. In their last game, the Greeks defeated the Liechtenstein team by the 2×0 score.
Italy:
After 2 victories, 0 draws and 0 losses, the away team comes to this 3 rd round in the 1st position of Group J, with 6 points won. In the previous match, they won at home against Liechtenstein by (6-0), after in the first match of this group stage they won by (2-0) at home against Finland. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive levels in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 7 wins, 2 draws and 6 losses in away matches, with 20 goals scored and 20 conceded; against 9 wins and 6 draws at their stadium, with 34 goals scored and 5 suffered. In the last 8 away matches for all competitions Italy won 2, tied 1 and lost 5. Their offense has scored frequently, since they have scored goals in 8 of the last 10 matches. In their away matches there is a tendency for few goals, since 4 of the last 8 matches have ended with Under 1,5 goals and 6 out of 8 have ended with Under 2,5 goals. In 15 games, he suffered the first goal 6 times and never got the comeback.
The Italian team will have a difficult mission against the Greek national team. He will face it in his dominions and for that reason it will not be easy. But Italy is technically better and will use it in their favor. They are two games and two victories, so he will enter with everything to maintain this record and leadership. It is very possible that the Italian team comes away with the victory, despite playing away from home, it is a well qualified and structured team. The Italians are in search of victory, but with caution, not to leave points in the house of the Greeks. In their last showdown, Italy beat Finland’s national team by 2×0.
PREDICTION: Italy to win @ 1,94
