Preview: Spain vs Italy – prediction, team news, line-ups | OneFootball

Spain and Italy go head-to-head in the Netherlands on Thursday with a place in the final of the 2022/23 Nations League on the line (see Nations League fixtures and kick-off times here).

The two sides have been inconsistent in recent times and will be keen to produce their best form with silverware up for grabs.

The winners of the game will face either the Netherlands or Croatia on Sunday, with the losers contesting the third-place play-off on the same day.

Both Spain and Netherlands have ended up as runners-up in the past two editions, so we will see a new Nations League champion this week.

Match Preview

Spain finished runners-up in the 2020/21 Nations League after squandering a one-goal lead to lose 2-1 against France.

They will be eager to go one better this time, having progressed to the last four courtesy of a narrow 1-0 victory over Portugal.

Barcelona midfielder Pedri is the most notable absentee from the Spain squad, with a thigh injury keeping him on the sidelines.

Spain ended Italy’s world-record 37-game unbeaten run when the teams met in the semi-finals two years ago and will be eager to repeat the trick on Thursday.

After failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, Italy recovered to win their Nations League group ahead of Hungary, Germany and England.

However, a recent defeat against the Three Lions in a 2024 European Championship qualifier highlighted they are not hitting the same heights as a few years ago.

Domenico Berardi and Matteo Pessina have withdrawn from the squad, but manager Roberto Mancini has plenty of other options at his disposal.

Having had longer to work with his players than his Spanish counterpart Luis de la Fuente, Mancini will fancy his chances of guiding Italy into the final.

Recent Form

Spain vs Italy Potential Line-ups

Spain: Arrizabalaga, Carvajal, Le Normand, Nacho, Alba, Gavi, Zubimendi, Merino, Asensio, Morata, Olmo.

Italy: Donnarumma, Acerbi, Bonucci, Bastoni, Di Lorenzo, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Dimarco, Retegui, Raspadori.

We Say: Spain 1-1 Italy (aet, Italy win on penalties)

There is often little to choose between the two teams whenever they meet, and their latest encounter will likely be tight. Italy’s greater resilience can help them reach the final.

Watch Nations League Games Live

All Nations League games can be streamed live online, even if they are not on live TV in the United Kingdom – see our football live streaming page for more information.