We preview the game between Turkey and Italy in the 2020 EURO group stage and serve up predictions. Italy and Italy kick off the 2020 Euros at the majestic Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday, June 11. It’s belatedly the first game of the tournament, marking the first game in Group A as well. Finally, the long wait for Europe’s top competition is over.
Italy are amongst the pre-tournament faves, trading at +1000 to win in outright soccer betting markets. However, Turkey are notorious dangerous floaters and a side that has over the years punched above its weight class on this international European stage. They can’t be taken lightly as such if Italy are to underscore pre-tournament odds.
Thus, getting off to a strong start will be paramount for the Azzurri. Least of all because the competition is only going to get stiffer with Wales and Switzerland lurking in the group – two sides that they’re set to take on thereafter and that are loaded in quality and talent, all the while carrying high hopes for the competition.
Friday, June 11, 2021, 3:00 PM EDT – Stadio Olimpico
While Turkey is dubbed the underdog in soccer betting markets, they come into the Euros in fine form. They’re undefeated in five straight games in 2021, which includes two world cup qualifiers and three friendlies and is made up of three wins and two draws. In the world cup qualifiers this year, Turkey beat Norway (3-0) and tied Latvia 3-3. In the friendly warm up games for Euro, Turkey beat Azerbaijan 2-1 and Moldova 2-0 but settled on a scoreless draw with Guinea.
Elsewhere in world cup qualifying, Turkey also scored a notable victory over Netherland (4-2) and previously in Euro qualifying – before the global pandemic disrupted the event’s course last summer – Turkey scored its biggest scalp when they beat defending World Cup champions France 2-0.
Indeed, Senol Günes team finished second in qualifying action behind France to clinch its spot in this tournament. Moreover, they’re off to a convincing start for Qatar 2022 and given the timing this latest confidence boost is sure to have an impact on their European campaign.
Elsewhere, Burak Yilmaz leads the Turks into the competition on a wave of optimism. The 35-year-old veteran is coming off a stellar season in France’s Ligue 1 where he helped lead Lille to its first league title in 10 years. Merih Demiral and Cengiz Under are talented youngsters on the team that can do some damage. Turkey’s most notable for its defense, but they can light it up to with a flurry of goals when pressed to do so. They’re opportunistic, motivated and confident.
Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri are in fine form ahead of the tournament and they’ll be eager to put on a show for their fans at the Stadio Olimpico. Italy has won five straight matches scoring 17 goals all the while keeping a clean sheet in all five.
Naturally, with such undeniable quality and talent it’s no surprise that expectations are high, Add to that the combination of home advantage for their tournament opener and they’re predictably favoured across the soccer odds board to win.
Italy were one of the surprise no-shows for the 2018 World Cup, a shocking development for a proud European footballing nation and multiple World Cup champion. It’s evident that blight on their international resume – missing the World Cup for the first time since 1958 – has been a huge motivator, and ever since they’ve been in impressive form going undefeated in 26 straight matches.
Although it’s not been the most gruelling of schedules or the toughest of competitions along the way, the Azzurri have nevertheless dominated. Most recently, in friendly action, Italy put on quite a show, beating San Marino 7-0 and Czech Republic 4-0. In the nine matches Italy played last year, they went 5-3-0, with the draws including Netherlands (1-1), Poland (0-0) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (1-1).
To all intents and purposes, this is an intriguing and unpredictable matchup for soccer bettors to sink their teeth into and a right tossup to be honest. Although multiple top sportsbooks are cornering this game with the Italians, the Turks can’t be dismissed out of hand.
Then there’s the fact that this is the first game of a tournament that should have happened last year, so there’ll be lots of pent up anticipation and nerves mixed in with the expectations of fans that will be heading to football games likely for the first time in eons. So, how does one bet this first game of the tournament, save for tossing a coin? Well, there’s a lot to like about both teams.
As it stands, Turkey is trading upwards of +600 to win outright, which is an indication of just what a longshot bet they are to pull off the upset over the Italians. It’s also a ridiculously tempting bet for the upset that might just be worth a small tickle on the off chance the tournament gets off to a rocking start for the underdogs. The draw no bet with Turkey at +375 is another alternative to consider.
By contrast, Italy is priced at -175 or thereabouts depending on the choice sports betting site while the draw is trading anywhere between +270 and +290. For those that fancy Italy for their soccer picks, taking Italy to win outright would be reasonable bet, if a bit pricey. Then again, perhaps, taking Italy on the spread at -1 (+102) is a better option for those that are confident Italy will record a strong and convincing win.
For our money, the total appears to be a solid bet here with a lean towards the OVER as this game could turn into a high-scoring affair. The Italians can challenge Turkey’s stout defense and score. In which case, the Turks will fight back and their penchant for comebacks in games is what makes them dangerous.
Soccer Picks: OVER 2.5 (+125) with Intertops (visit our Intertrops Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.