[Mario]

UEFA EURO 2016 QUALIFIERS
11/17/2014

Italy vs Croatia

Home - Italy
Last away matches - W-W-W-W-L

Italy take on Croatia at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Euro - Qualification. This is the 4th round. The hosts are currently on 2nd place with 3 wins and with total goal difference of 5: 1 after three rounds in Group H. So, Italy have won all of their three matches in the group H - against Norway, Azerbaijan and Malta, and this match will be their first serious test against their main rivals for the first place on the table. Otherwise, Italian coach Antonio Conte uses the same formation that he used while he coached Juventus, with two strikers up front and a midfield tightened. However, he faces some problems before this match as he can not count on several key players. Andrea Pirlo and Riccardo Montollivo are out injured, while PSG midfielder Marco Verratti suffered a thigh injury at a training session and withdrew from the squad. The defender Angelo Ogbonna is also questionable, after complaining to a muscle strain injury. Leonardo Bonucci is suspended for this match. Italy have a fantastic home record in the qualifying campaigns over the past few years, winning each of their last six home matches since 2010. Their goal difference in the last six home games is 17:1, but those victories were achieved against European minnow sides. Interesting fact is that Italy have never beaten United in a competitive match. They have played six matches total, and United have won three times while three matches have ended in draws. Last time Italy faced Croatia was at Euro 2012 when Poland and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. In this game, the hosts have quite a difficult task. Their opponent has great potential; however, the big question is whether they will prove that on the ground in this game.

Away - Croatia
Last away matches - L-W-W-L-D

On the other hand, visitors are currently on the top of the table with the same number of points as their opponent. In any case, the Croatia also have a perfect record from their qualifying campaign so far, winning all three of their matches so far. Only the goal difference separates them with Italy at the top. Croatia`s defense has been great in their three matches so far, and they are yet to concede a goal in their qualifying matches. They managed a 2-0 victory over Malta, 0-1 victory over Bulgaria and a 6-0 victory over Azerbaijan. During midweek, Croatia played a test match against Argentina at Upton Park in London, which ended in a 2-1 victory for Argentina. The loss was not that bad, as United were the better opponents for the bigger part of the match and they had a goal lead at half-time. Croatia played with their second squad, as several first team players were rested for this match against Italy. Positive team news for United is that they have no significant absentees for this match, and most of their players are in a very good form. Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Perisic, Ivica Olic, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic have all been superb recently.

Asian Handicap
Home - (-0.50)
Away - (+0.50)
Pick - Italy (-0.50)
Odds - 2.31
Stakes - 10/10
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UEFA EURO 2016 QUALIFIERS
11/17/2014

Turkey vs Kazakhstan

Home - Turkey
Last away matches - D-L-W-L-W-W

Turkey have had an awful start to their qualification campaign with 2 defeats in their opening 3 matches, losing their opening game 3-0 away to Iceland and following that up with a 2-1 home defeat against Czech Republic. They currently occupy bottom position in Group A, already 8 points behind the two leaders and the automatic qualification places. It was a point last time out for Turkey as they took the lead but were unable to hold out for the victory when drawing 1-1 away to Latvia.

Away - Kazakhstan
Last away matches - L-L-D-L-D-L

Kazakhstan are the opponents for Turkey tonight and they have had an equally poor start to qualification with just 1 point from their 3 matches, drawing their opening game 0-0 at home to Latvia before suffering back-to-back defeats against the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. Kazakhstan currently occupy joint bottom position in Group A, level on points with tonights opponents.

Asian Handicap
Home - (-1.50)
Away - (+1.50)
Pick - Kazakhstan (+1.50)
Odds - 2.26
Stakes - 9/10