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Armenia tests Italy as Group J competition for the Euro 2020 Qualifiers continued on September 6, 2019, at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.
Armenia
Armenia dropped its first two games of Group J competition. They lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-2 in their opening match last March 23, 2019, then Armenia suffered a 0-2 setback against Finland three days later. Last June 8th, they blanked a hapless Liechtenstein squad 3-0 and then won over Greece 3-2, three days later. Armenia is currently ranked third in the Group with 6 points.
These were the players who comprised the Armenian squad that played Greece last June 11, 2019:
- Goalkeepers: Arsen Beglaryan, Aram Ayrapetyan, Henri Avagyan
- Defenders: Kamo Hovhannisyan, Varzadat Haroyan, Hovhannes Hambardzumyan, Taron Voskanyan, Hayk Ishkhanyan, Arman Hovhannisyan
- Midfielders: Henrikh Mkhitryan, Gevorg Ghazaryan, Karlen Mkrtchyan, Aras Ozbiliz, Artak Yedigaryan, Artak Grigoryan, Rumyan Hovsepyan, Edgar Babayan, Petros Avetisyan, Armen Ambartsubyan
- Forwards: Tigran Barseghyan, Aleksandre Karapetian, Artur Miranyan
Italy
Italy is sitting atop Group J of the 2020 Euro qualifiers with a perfect 4-0 record. The Italians opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over Finland. They blanked Liechtenstein 6-0 in their second match and came up with a third shutout via their 3-0 win over Greece last June 8th. Italy made it four in a row with a 2-1 conquest of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
These are the members of Italy’s squad which faced Bosnia and Herzegovina last June 11, 2019:
- Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Milan), Alex Meret (Napoli), Salvatore Sirigu (Torino);
- Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Parma), Cristiano Biraghi (Fiorentina), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Andrea Conti (Milan), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Mattia De Sciglio (Juventus), Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Armando Izzo (Torino), Manuel Lazzari (Spal), Alessio Romagnoli (Milan), Leonardo Spinazzola (Juventus);
- Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Cagliari), Marco Benassi (Fiorentina), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Roberto Gagliardini (Inter), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Stefano Sensi (Sassuolo), Sandro Tonali (Brescia), Nicolò Zaniolo (Roma);
- Forwards: Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Federico Bernardeschi (Juventus), Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Roberto Inglese (Parma), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Moise Bioty Kean (Juventus), Kevin Lasagna (Udinese), Matteo Politano (Inter), Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria).
Who Wins?
Armenia is 2-2 SU in four matches played at the 2020 Euro qualifiers. On the other hand, Italy is unbeaten in its last eight games with six wins and two draws. Head to head, these sides have played twice in the past. Italy defeated Armenia 3-1 in 2012 and the teams were tied 2-2 in their 2013 encounter.
Italy is the only unbeaten team in Group j with four wins and no losses for a total of 12 points to lead the table. The Azzurri have not won the Euro since 1968 although they were runners-up in 2000 and 2012. They made it to the quarterfinals in 2016 but after bowing out in the Group Stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and finishing 8th place at the recent UEFA Nations League, they are out to put on a good showing in the 2020 Euro qualifiers.
The Azzurri are heavy soccer betting favorites here and they are in good form, having given up just a solitary goal in their last five matches played. They have also scored 13 goals in Group J competition and that’s twice as many as the next best team. Italy’s current goal difference of +12 is thrice better than second placer Finland.
Armenia has won two in a row after losing their opening two matches of the qualifiers. This is a team which has never made it to the UEFA European Championship since its separation from the former USSR. They came close, finishing 3rd in the 2012 qualifying phase but have not been a threat since then.
I hate to say this but this is like David versus Goliath except that David doesn’t win this one. Italy’s been a powerhouse team in Europe for such a long time now and although they aren’t what they once were, they are still a mountain to climb for an inexperienced team Armenia. I don’t think Italy should have any problem picking up another win against Armenia. Prediction: Italy
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