Uruguay vs Italy Prediction – June 24
Italy Meets Uruguay With Only One Moving On
The two favorites in Group D meet Tuesday to see which team will join surprise Costa Rica in the Round of 16 – one of these teams will be making an early departure from World Cup 2014. Italy has a little more breathing room than Uruguay – a draw would see the Azzurri through due to their goal-differential advantage. [ad-1519080]
Italy (1-1-0) vs. Uruguay (1-1-0)
Where: Estádio das Dunas, Natal, Brazil
When: June 24, 12:00 PM ET
Italy vs. Uruguay Betting, Lines
Italy pk -115 +160 Ov 2½ +110
Uruguay pk -105 +170 Un 2½ -130
Draw +205
[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Uruguay will be a desperate bunch indeed as a win and only a win will carry them through.
Italy has to be a tad upset after letting one slip away against Costa Rica – a 1-0 loss in which they were slightly overwhelmed by the attack of the Costa Ricans and clearly frustrated by the Central American defenders. Changes have been rumored ahead of the Uruguay match due to Italy’s ineffectiveness in their last game.
Against Costa Rica, Andrea Pirlo, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli were less than spectacular – changes up front should be coming in order to help Mario Balotelli generate was a completely stagnant offense. Look for the insertion of Borussia Dortmund-bound forward Ciro Immobile into the lineup to kick start the Italian offense. Balotelli wasn’t sharp in his limited chances against Costa Rica.
Of concern for the Italians ahead of their crucial match with Uruguay is the injury to midfielder Daniele De Rossi who is in danger of missing the game with a calf injury. Italy finds themselves quite deep at the back end – a name like Marco Verratti could come in as an adequate replacement but there is no doubt that De Rossi will be missed.
[ad-3678122]
It will be crucial for the Italians to get out to an early lead in this one and sit back and play their patented defensive style. This will also help them against one of their biggest enemies in the tournament – the heat and humidity that killed this team in the Confederation Cup last year and has shown signs of wearing down the squad this year. If Italy has to attack on a consistent basis, they could be in some trouble.
Let’s face it – when you have Luis Suarez in the lineup you are an immediate threat to win each and every game as Uruguay’s win over England proved. Suarez, not quite 100% yet after knee surgery a month ago has impressed and has made a case as one of the best players on the planet in his two games in Brazil. Jose Gimenez looked dangerous against England and Edison Cavani was solid as he was allotted to drop deep and make plays.
Outside of those three Uruguay doesn’t offer up a ton of class although they appear as though they will have the momentum edge ahead of this match. Uruguay’s challenge is to penetrate a stifling Italian back end and score against a team that will be playing for a 0-0 draw.
Betting Prediction:
This game should be razor close. In that case I am going with the team that has the best player – Luis Suarez is the difference maker that Italy simply doesn’t have. Add in the fact that the Italians have struggled with the heat, they have been forced to tinker with their lineup and that they will be playing without Daniele De Rossi and things look a tad dire for the Azzurri. A defensive posture could cost Italy as an acclimatized Uruguay squad rides the strong play of Luis Suarez again.
Pick:
Uruguay +170
Capperspicks.com Soccer picks channel is your best bet online for all the free Knockout round World Cup Betting Predictions you can handle. Check back with us for EVERY single tournament game. We’re not the best soccer betting experts on the planet, but we work our ASSES off to make you some MONEY!
