Italy vs Estonia prediction: EUROPE: World Championship – Qualification betting tips on match 2025-09-04 18:45.
[p]The legendary Gennaro Gattuso starts his tenure as Italy’s head coach with a must-win World Cup qualifier (WCQ) against Estonia. [/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Despite having played only two WCQs (W1, L1), Italy complicated their bid to qualify for their first World Cup finals since 2014 with a 3-0 defeat against Norway in their opener, which makes their qualification route more problematic. Fears of Italy not qualifying for a third consecutive World Cup were at least eased with a 2-0 victory over Moldova in Luciano Spalletti’s last game in charge, which halted a four-game run without a win (D1, L3). Three of those matches came against top-ten FIFA-ranked nations, and with Italy winning each of their last 12 meetings with teams outside FIFA’s top 100 since 2019, they should be hopeful of better things here. [/p]
[p]After three defeats in their opening four qualifying matches (W1), Estonia’s chances of advancing to their first major tournament in history are once again virtually gone. After disappointing results in the UEFA Nations League (UNL) against similarly-ranked opponents, Estonia have won only two of their last ten matches since September 2024 (D1, L7). Five goals in four WCQ outings so far show that they at least have something to offer here, but having lost each of their last nine matches against current top-30 FIFA-ranked sides, their prospects of securing an unlikely victory appear incredibly slim.[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]Italy have won each of the previous seven H2Hs, keeping a clean sheet in five of those matches and winning six by a 2+ goal margin.[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Eight of Italy’s last ten matches have produced over 2.5 goals.[/p]
[p]Just one of Italy’s last five matches saw more than three yellow cards.[/p]
[p]Five of Estonia’s last six matches were level at half-time (W1).[/p]
[p]Estonia conceded 3+ goals in six of their last nine matches against top-30 FIFA-ranked countries.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]No player scored more Serie A goals last season than Mateo Retegui, who has scored four of his last five goals for Italy before the break. Mattias Käit has found the net in two of Estonia’s last three matches and netted five of his last seven goals in the first-half.[/p]
[p]Italy are almost at full strength, whilst Estonia are missing their captain Karol Mets, who is sidelined with injury.[/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]Given their need to win and score goals as they try to hunt down Norway, backing Italy to score at least three times could be a smart move.[/p]
[p][i]Author: Tomáš Vlasák[/i][/p]