Touted before the tournament as the two teams favored to top Group D, Italy and Uruguay surprisingly found themselves in a dogfight for the last ticket out of the group.
In our Group D preview, we penciled in Italy to take one of the two spots. Can the Azzurri still make it so, or will Luis Suarez and the rest of La Celeste block the Italians path to the next round?
[sc:Soccer ]Italy vs. Uruguay, World Cup 2014, Group Stage Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Estádio das Dunas, Natal, Brazil
When: June 24, 12:00 PM ET
Line: Italy +167 at Uruguay +157, tie +187 – view all World Cup lines
What’s at stake
The winner of the match between Italy and Uruguay will join Costa Rica to the knockout stage. Italy, though, can afford a tie and still make it, as they own a superior goal difference. For the Uruguayans, they have no choice but to win. The other powerhouse nation of Group D, England, have already been eliminated.
Betting on Italy
One of Italy’s biggest fears was realized when Group D minnows Costa Rica brushed aside Cesare Prandelli’s squad. With the way his men played in that game, Prandelli will want to make big changes for their next game against Uruguay, changes that should specifically target the team’s midfield.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Against Costa Rica, Andrea Pirlo was stifled, Giorgio Chiellini was ineffective, and Andrea Barzagli had a pedestrian outing. Those three men are known to be skilled passers, but forwards like Mario Balotelli hardly felt their presence from up front.
Those three weren’t much better on defense. Chiellini was among those liable in the lone goal scored by Costa Rica, and also took what appeared to be a foul inside the penalty area, only for the ref to let it slide.
With all that room for improvement, expect Prandelli to tweak his starting unit, possibly by insterting Leonardo Bonucci into the starting lineup against Uruguay. The Juventus defender likes to launch long balls towards teammates who are speeding down the field, and is an aggressive defender. He is someone who has the qualities to become the game changer for Italy.
Betting on Uruguay
After sitting out Uruguay’s World Cup opener against Costa Rica, Luis Suarez let not only his team, but also the world, know what they were missing. The Liverpool striker exploded into the tournament with two pretty goals against England to power Uruguay to their first win at the 2014 World Cup.
Suarez will be the man to watch for Uruguay when they go up against the Italians. But for all that was made about how fearsome Suarez would be moving forward, he still is not the be–all and end–all of La Celeste’s offense.
Running alongside Suarez is Edinson Cavani, who has a knack for making the right play at the right time, as he did when he fed Suarez with a beautiful assist that led to Uruguay’s first goal against the Three Lions.
With his top two players finding their grooves while showing excellent chemistry, coach Oscar Tabarez’s fear of losing have been greatly dispelled. But not fully. The Uruguayans have the tendency to cede possession to opponents, and if that happens again on Tuesday, Cavani and Suarez will have to cover the holes in their midfield using their splendid counter attacks.
Against a flaky backline in Italy, the two figure to flourish anew in Uruguay’s third match of the tournament.
Writer’s Prediction
The Italians fall to Uruguay (+157)’s offense. Create a betting account now to get into the action with a bet on this or any other World Cup match.
[sc:Soccer490banner ]1,975 total views, 1 views today
