Predicted lineups, team news and score prediction

Two of football’s best international teams meet in the Nations League this week. Italy will face Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

The Italians had a perfect start to their Nations League season with two out of two wins. Luciano Spalletti’s side beat France 3-1 before defeating Israel 2-1.

Davide Frattesi scored in both games – the Inter Milan midfielder is becoming a key player for his country.

Unfortunately, Kevin De Bruyne will not be present for this game as he has requested not to be involved due to his playing time being limited.

De Bruyne – the Belgian captain – has been vocal about players being involved in too many games. However, Belgium still has plenty of firepower in attack, including Leandro Trossard and Jeremy Doku.

Italy’s squad includes five players who play in Premier League teams. The rest are from Italian clubs, with the exception of their captain Gianluigi Donnarumma, who plays for French club Paris Saint-Germain.

Expected lineup for Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Cambiaso, Frattesi, Ricci, Tonali, Dimarco, Pellegrini, Retegui

De Bruyne will be a big miss for Domenico Tedesco’s side.

Expected line-up for Belgium: Casteels, Faes, Debast, Theate, Castagne, Tielemans, Mangala, Lukebakio, Doku, Trossard, Openda

Italy defeated Belgium 2-1 in the playoff for third place in the Nations League in 2021. The decisive goal was a penalty from Domenico Berardi.

Belgium will have a difficult time this game without their talisman De Bruyne. Therefore, Italy – which also has a home advantage – should win the game 2-0.

Italy will face Belgium on Thursday, October 10th at 2:45 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on ViX.