Belgium's national team is 7-1-1 in its last nine games overall, including a 4-0 record in its last four qualifying round games. The group stage of the Euro 2016 tournament begins for Belgium against Italy on Monday at the Stade de Lyon in France.
Belgium vs. Italy odds, Euro 2016: Belgium small betting favorite in Group E matchup
Betting favorite Belgium faces an early test at Euro 2016 going up against Italy to open up the group stage on Monday in France.
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Entering the Euro 2016 tournament as a popular dark horse contender, Belgium is going off at +155 in Monday’s match at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. An Italy victory would pay +210 and a draw would pay +205.
In the most recent World Rankings from FIFA, Belgium was ranked No. 2 behind only Argentina. The squad has a very dangerous attack led by Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard and has seen its stock steadily rise in recent years under manager Marc Wilmots.
Belgium is making its first appearance in the European Championship since 2000, when the country hosted the event, and just its third appearance overall in this tournament since 1984.
Belgium and Italy have met only once since 2008, playing in a friendly last November. Belgium came out on top with a 3-1 victory.
Italy advanced all the way to the final in the 2012 European Championship, falling short of lifting the trophy after suffering a 4-0 loss to Spain. Led by 38-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, the Italians are a consistent veteran group with plenty of experience in major tournaments.
Italy has won each of its last two friendlies, breaking out of a four-game slump in which the national team went 0-2-2, including the loss to Belgium.
Monday’s total is set at two goals. Four of the last five games between Italy and Belgium have gone OVER the total with four goals scored in each of those four games.
Belgium is going off at +900 to be the Euro 2016 winner and Italy isn’t too far behind on the board at +1600. Both of these teams are favored to advance out of Group E, but if either is able to win this game it would be in prime position to win the group and earn a more favorable path in the knockout round.
This figures to be a good early test for both Italy and Belgium.
