Italy v New Zealand, Sunday 20th June, 3.00pm
On the balance of play, the Azzurri probably deserved to beat Paraguay, although Marcello Lippi will be targeting maximum points from the team’s final two Group F matches to ensure they go through as winners and avoid a potential last sixteen clash with the Netherlands. Italy are no bigger than 1/5 (bet365) to take all three points from this match in Nelspruit, although they will once again be facing a team who can defend resolutely and will take some breaking down.
There was no fluke about the way New Zealand managed a point against Slovakia in the opening match and this game at the Mbombela Stadium will therefore hold little fear for Ricki Herbert’s men. Yes, they are not blessed with quality individual players, although they function well as a unit and you can get 13/2 (Sky Bet) that they land another point which will give them a slim chance of actually qualifying for the last sixteen.
If you fancy them to go one step further, Boylesports offer 20/1 that we see the All Whites win the game and it appears as though Gianluigi Buffon will be missing after injuring his back against Paraguay. However, in truth this is a match where Italy should win comfortably and Paddy Power offer 8/13 that the holders win to nil.
The manager might turn to Antonio Di Natale for goals, especially as the Udinese striker won the golden boot in Serie A last season. William Hill offers 9/2 that he breaks the deadlock in this match, while Daniele De Rossi loves to get forward from midfield and is an 8/1 chance (Ladbrokes). It’s not like the Italians to dish out a thrashing and New Zealand don’t look like complete no-hopers, so it might be preferable to back 1-0 (6/1 Coral) and 2-0 scorelines (11/2 Bet fred) in favour of the Azzurri.
