Italy vs Austria Round of 16: Preview, prediction, team news, betting tips and odds

Italy secured their 100% record in the group stage courtesy of a 1-0 win against Wales, and is looking forward to see Austria on 26 June in London. Here is our update on preview, prediction, team news, betting tips and odds of the match.

Charlotte Pho

June 23, 2021 | 13:58

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Two neighborhood countries, Italy and Austria, clash in the EURO 2020 Round of 16 at Wembley. Even though they share the border, we haven’t seen these two teams meet for a long time. Italy comes into this event as a huge favorite, and how wouldn’t they be following superb performances during the group stage. On the other side, Austria didn’t want to settle with one point against Ukraine but instead won all three, securing the second spot in Group C. The entire football community expected to see the Austrians and Ukraine sharing one point each, but Franco Fonda‘s crew wanted to play clean and honorable.

When is it?

Italy vs Austria is on Saturday 26 June, in London.

What time is kick-off?

The game gets under way at 8pm BST.

What TV channel is it on?

The television schedules are yet to be finalised but there will be live coverage on BBC One or ITV1.

Preview

Photo: Footballia

Italy (TBA) was superb in the group stage, scoring seven goals without a single one allowed, collecting nine points in three events. Roberto Mancini tied a new national record in the meantime, not losing for 30 consecutive matches while leading the national team.

Azzurri smashed Turkey in the opener, 3-0, after that rolled over Switzerland with the same result before beating Wales in the final clash of the group stage with 1-0. Let us tell you right away, all these wins might have been even higher.

By the way, Italy didn’t concede a single goal in the previous 10 games. On the other side, they would net at least twice in all but the last contest against Wales.

Austria (TBA) was superb against Ukraine. Even though they won just 1-0, Arnautovic and the rest of the crew were extremely dominant, fully deserving a victory and three points.

Fonda’s s crew is highly unstable, and we’ve seen them in all sorts of moods over the recent few months. The Austrian team is capable of beating very good teams, but also, losing to some mediocre opponent. They have Arnautovic, Sabitzer, and Alaba, who are each the leaders of their line.

The attack was a bit of a problem for the Austrians in recent times, as they failed to score in four of the last four games.

Head to Head Matches

Photo: Getty Images

Some 13 years ago, Italy and Austria played a friendly international game which ended 2-2. They met at the 1998 World Cup in Group B, and the Italians won that match, 2-1. Christian Vieri and Roberto Baggio scored for the Italians, while Andi Herzog netted for the Austrians.

Prediction

So far, the Italians have been the team that left the best impression on us. Azzurri aren’t playing slow and sluggish football as they used to do throughout history. Mancini transformed this unit into one of the best in the world, all that while playing attractive and modern football. Italy will post an easy triumph here, probably without a goal allowed. Their defense is impeccable, while on the other hand, Austria has big problems in front of the rival’s goal. On top of that, they have much better players and are in unreal form.

Betting tips and odds

Italy to Win-to-Nil

Italy are in the midst of a winning and clean sheets run that spans back 11-matches. Yet to concede at Euro 2020 and winning all their group games, you can see why we're backing Italy to win-to-nil against an Austria side that lost 2-0 in their toughest group game against the Netherlands. Austria have failed to score in four of their last six matches and now face a really strong and confident Italy defence.

Over 2.5 Goals

Over 2.5 goals have been scored in four of Italy's last five matches, with the Italians winning two of their group games by three goals to nil. Two of Austria's last six international matches have produced over 3.5 goals with one of those being a 4-0 defeat to Denmark. Another reason we are expecting goals in this game is down to the fact that four of the last six meetings between these two nations have witnessed at least three goals being scored.

3-0 to Italy

Italy claimed 3-0 wins against Turkey and Switzerland during the group stage, the first time the country has scored more than 2-goals in any European Championship fixture. Roberto Mancini rested some players against Wales but will be back to near full-strength for the game against Austria and we're backing the Italians to dominate this game from start to finish, securing another 3-0 win in the process.

MATCH FACTS

Italy are unbeaten in their last 13 meetings with Austria in all competitions (W10 D3) since a 1-2 friendly loss in December 1960. This is the first match between the sides since a 2-2 friendly draw in August 2008.

Italy have won all four of their meetings with Austria at major international tournaments, with all four such games coming in the World Cup – 1-0 in 1934, 1-0 in 1978, 1-0 in 1990 and 2-1 in 1998.

Seven of Italy’s 14 knockout stage games in the European Championship have been drawn (W4 L3). Of these seven draws, they’ve won two and lost three via a penalty shootout, won once via a coin toss and the other went to a replay which they eventually won.

Italy are currently unbeaten in 30 games (W25 D5), the joint-longest run in their history, equalling a run under Vittorio Pozzo between 1935 and 1939.

This is Austria’s first ever appearance in the knockout stages of the European Championship, and their first in the knockout stage of any major tournament since the 1954 World Cup, when they reached the semi-final.

Italy have won two of their 13 matches that were held in London (D5 L6), and are winless in five matches there (D3 L2) since beating England 1-0 in 1997 in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley, with Gianfranco Zola scoring the only goal.

Austria have lost four of their six games in London in all competitions (W1 D1), with this their first visit to the English capital since a 7-0 friendly defeat in September 1973 (vs England). Their only previous game in London which wasn’t against England came in the 1948 Olympic games, a 3-0 loss to Sweden.

Italy have kept a clean sheet in each of their last 11 matches in all competitions, going 1055 minutes (17 hours and 35 minutes) without conceding since a Donny van de Beek goal for the Netherlands last October. One more clean sheet will see them equal their record for consecutive games without conceding (12), set between 1972 and 1974.

Italy had 60 shots across their three games in the group stages, with their average of 20 shots-per-game their highest on record in a single edition of the European Championship (since 1980).

David Alaba created nine chances in the group stages, at least four more than any other Austria player. Four of these came in Austria’s 1-0 win against Ukraine last time out.

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Charlotte Pho