Welcome to Euro 2020.
The pandemic-delayed tournament finally kicks off Friday with Turkey taking on Italy. The two teams are the only ones playing on Friday before six teams really get the tournament going on Saturday.
All throughout the tournament we’re going to preview each game from a betting perspective and give you a few recommendations. Let’s start with a game that could turn out to be an entertaining kickoff. All odds are provided by BetMGM.
Turkey vs. Italy
3 p.m. ET, ESPN
Turkey to win (+700)
Italy to win (-200)
Tie (+280)
Over/Under: 2.5 goals
These teams have tied 1-1 in their last two meetings. But you can throw that stat away. Those games came in 2002 and 2006.
Despite a 0-0 draw with Guinea on May 31, Turkey has scored 10 goals in its last five games. Italy has scored 11 in its last two and at least two goals in its last five games.
Those goal-scoring records are why we like the over to hit in this game. Both teams have attacking talent; this isn’t the Catenaccio that you would expect if you’re thinking of an Italy stereotype.
Turkey’s Burak Yilmaz is 35 but scored 16 goals in 23 starts for Lille in France’s Ligue 1 while both Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne scored in the Italians’ 4-0 win over the Czech Republic a week ago.
We’re confident both teams can score (+135) in this match and a parlay with the over will pay nicely. If you like the upset — we’re not confident of it — you can get Turkey to win and both teams to score at a whopping +1650.
Official picks
Over 2.5 goals (+120)
Both teams to score (+135)
Bold bet
Italy to win 2-1 (+825)
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