SM
Arsenal vs. Juventus: 8 hrs 42 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
IN
Nations League | League A
Sep 9, 2024 at 7.45pm UK
Bozsik Stadion
IN

Israel
1 - 2
Italy

Abu Fani (90')
Ben Shimon (88'), Jaber (90+4'), Yehezkel (90+2'), Revivo (90+4')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Frattesi (38'), Kean (62')
Gatti (73')

Preview: Israel vs. Italy - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Israel vs. Italy - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Monday's Nations League clash between Israel and Italy, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Having kicked off their latest UEFA Nations League campaign with a stunning victory in Paris, Italy meet Israel in their second Group 2 fixture on Monday.

The Azzurri head to Hungary - where the game will be played for security reasons - with three points already in the bag; meanwhile, their opponents were beaten 3-1 by Belgium.


Match preview

After setting a new record for their fastest-ever goal conceded, it seemed Italy were set to continue their struggles on Friday evening, following a dismal defence of their European title.

When Bradley Barcola stole the ball from Giovanni Di Lorenzo and fired past Azzurri captain Gianluigi Donnarumma after just 13 seconds, gloom could have descended on Luciano Spalletti's side; instead, they launched a stirring fightback.

First, Federico Dimarco combined with the recalled Sandro Tonali to score a sublime equaliser, then Davide Frattesi put them in front before substitute Giacomo Raspadori wrapped up the points on 74 minutes.

Beating France 3-1 at Parc des Princes brought Italy's first win in Paris for 70 years, and also gave credence to Spalletti's talk of a fresh start.

At Euro 2024, the Azzurri never really found their rhythm and ultimately limped out in the last 16, so some new blood has been brought in for their latest quest to claim a first Nations League title.

Spalletti's predecessor, Euro 2020-winner Roberto Mancini, departed after leading his country to the 2023 finals, and then to a third place finish in the four-team tournament.

In order to go at least one better this time around, Italy must claim a top-two placing in League A Group 2, which would see them qualify for the new quarter-final stage.

While the Italians are targeting a place in the finals, Israel may have a tough time avoiding relegation, as fourth-placed teams are automatically demoted and finishing third results in a playoff.

Drawn into a particularly difficult group, they were promoted from League B in 2022, having topped a group featuring Iceland, Albania and - initially - Russia.

However, the calibre of opponents has stepped up a notch this season, and despite pulling themselves level against Belgium on Friday evening, Ran Ben Shimon's side were eventually beaten 3-1 by a Kevin De Bruyne-inspired side in the Hungarian city of Debrecen.

The Sky Blue and Whites had previously missed out on Euro 2024 due to defeat in the playoffs, where they were beaten 4-1 by Iceland, and it has been more than 50 years since they last made a major tournament appearance.

With conflict in the Middle East making any prospect of hosting games on home turf all but impossible, Israel remain in exile: once again, they must play in Hungary on Monday evening.

Israel Nations League form:


Israel form (all competitions):


Italy Nations League form:


Italy form (all competitions):



Team News

Setting out his new tactical framework for the months ahead, against France, Luciano Spalletti made eight changes to the Italy XI that lost to Switzerland at Euro 2024 and switched to a three-man defence.

One member of that trio, Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori, sustained a freak injury on Friday night, as Ousmane Dembele improbably landed on his leg. It is expected that the ex-Bologna defender will soon recover, though.

The Azzurri will definitely be without Gianluca Scamacca (ACL) and Nicolo Barella (sinus surgery), but international new boys Marco Brescianini and Caleb Okoli are both available, while Destiny Udogie, Moise Kean and Sandro Tonali have all returned to the squad.

After scoring the third goal in Paris, Giacomo Raspadori could force his way into the lineup, partnering either Kean or Mateo Retegui up front in a 3-5-2 formation.

Meanwhile, Israel were without captain Eli Dasa through injury last week, so Leeds United loanee Manor Solomon captained his nation for the first time.

Only four of their starters had reached double figures for senior appearances, and a similarly inexperienced side is likely to line up at Budapest's Bozsik Arena on Monday.

Against Belgium, Anan Khalaili featured up front, but Maccabi Haifa striker Dean David is an alternative option alongside Solomon and rising star Oscar Gloukh.


Israel possible starting lineup:
Gerafi; Shlomo, Nachmias, Gandelman; Jehezkel, Lavi, Peretz, Gropper; Solomon, Gloukh; Khalaili

Italy possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Bellanova, Ricci, Tonali, Frattesi, Dimarco; Raspadori, Retegui


We say: Israel 0-2 Italy

Buoyed by their feats in France, new-look Italy should take care of business against an Israel side short of international nous and experience.

Moving onto six points from a possible six would put the Azzurri in a strong position ahead of next month's clash with Belgium in Rome.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__552396 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-09-09 14:54:22:
html db last update - 2024-09-09 14:54:22 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
What are the chances? Arsenal man suffers freak injury on international duty
Reunion at Man United: Amorim 'has spoken' to Sporting star over 2025 transfer
When will Alaba return to action? Potential return date revealed
From Ronaldo records to San Marino miracle: The story of 2024-25 Nations League
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Preview: AC Milan vs. Juventus - prediction, team news, lineups

1

PA

Preview: Bournemouth vs. Brighton - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

2

PB

Celta Vigo vs. Barcelona: Head-to-head record and past meetings

NEW

3

CV

David update: Lille president addresses future of Man United, Barca-linked striker

NEW

4

DU

Preview: Lens vs. Marseille - prediction, team news, lineups

5

PL

Preview: St Etienne vs. Montpellier - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PS

Could Man City's "saving grace" give them the edge against "emotional" Spurs?

7

CM

Preview: Reims vs. Lyon - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PR

Preview: Hellas Verona vs. Inter Milan - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PH

Preview: Parma vs. Atalanta - prediction, team news, lineups

10

PP


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .