Italy vs Albania predictions: Close battle expected in Group B

- Italy are unbeaten in six matches in all competitions
- Albania only conceded four goals in eight qualifiers
- Recommended bet: Under 2.5 goals

Defending champions Italy start their Euro 2024 campaign with a clash against Albania in Group B, with both teams heading to the BVB Stadion in Dortmund.

The Azzurri, who beat England in the final three years ago on penalties at Wembley, finished second to the Three Lions during qualifying.

It was enough to secure second place ahead of Ukraine on goal difference, while Albania topped Group E, finishing ahead of the Czech Republic and Poland, who will also both compete in Germany.

Team news

Italy midfielder Nicolo Barella is a doubt for the opener, having missed both of his country's pre-tournament friendlies due to a muscle injury.

Barella has trained away from the main group, as has Nicolo Fagioli, who picked up a knock during the 1-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Albania coach Sylvinho will likely name Armando Broja as the starting striker, having failed to call up Sokol Cikallesh, but he has no major injury woes ahead of the first fixture.

The stats

Italy head into the game on the back of a six-match unbeaten run, and they have kept three successive clean sheets during that sequence.

In qualifying, Italy only scored 16 goals in eight matches, while they won half of those games.

Albania also won four of their eight qualifiers, and they only conceded four goals during that time.

Ahead of Euro 2024, they have won both of their pre-tournament friendlies, scoring six goals in their wins over Liechtenstein and Azerbaijan.

Prediction

Having qualified top of their group, Albania will fancy their chances of causing a few upsets this summer.

Kuqezinjte have scored six goals in the last two games, but it is unlikely they will replicate that form when they face Italy.

The Azzurri have gone about their business without much fuss in recent months, picking up wins over Bosnia, Ecuador and Venezuela this year.

While Italy may have too much quality for Albania, the safe play should come in the goals market. Four of Italy's last five matches have gone under 2.5 goals, while Albania's battles were low-scoring throughout qualifying.

With Saturday's match the first for both teams at Euro 2024, neither will want to slip up, and that should lead to a cagey affair in Dortmund.

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