Italy vs Israel Prediction for 15 October 2025 - Football

📢 What surprises might the clash between Italy and Israel bring in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers? At the Dacia Arena in Udine, both teams face off in a match of significant importance, with the second spot in Group I on the line. The gap between the opponents is just three points, and a victory for Israel could see them close in on Italy, intensifying the battle for a playoff spot. Everything suggests that this match promises to be tense and full of emotions.

Head-to-Head

📊 Italy and Israel have faced each other only five times in the 21st century, with all those encounters ending in victories for the Azzurri. Their latest clash, which took place on September 8 as part of the ongoing World Cup 2026 qualifiers, was a true football spectacle. The Italians led 4-2 by the 87th minute, but Israel managed to pull off a miracle, leveling the score by the 90th. However, in stoppage time, Sandro Tonali snatched victory for Italy with a 5-4 win. This showdown has become one of the most thrilling matches of the entire qualifying campaign.

Italy Team Overview

🔵 In recent years, Italy's national team have faced challenging times, especially when it comes to World Cup qualifications. Despite the expanded tournament format, the current qualifying campaign is proving difficult. The Azzurri sit second in Group I with 12 points from five matches. Above them is Norway, who have won all six of their matches and lead confidently with a perfect 18 points. Unless something unexpected happens, Italy are likely to finish the qualifiers in second place.

⚪ Meanwhile, the team's performances have been somewhat mixed. In their latest match on October 11, Italy secured a 3-1 away victory against Estonia, but the win was not as convincing as their 5-0 rout at home. Yes, the Italians dominated the game, creating numerous chances, yet they made a careless defensive error that led to a conceded goal—the only consolation for the Estonians.

Israel Team Overview

🔵 Until their September clash with Italy, Israel were seen as genuine contenders for a spot in the 2026 World Cup. The team confidently navigated through the qualifiers, defeating all the opponents they were expected to beat, often with room to spare. However, a 4-5 defeat in their "home" game against Italy marked a turning point. After that emotional and exhausting encounter, the "blue and whites" saw their chances of finishing in the top two significantly diminish. Currently, the national team sits in third place, trailing Italy by three points, having played one more match.

⚪ Additionally, the team approaches their next fixture in low spirits. On October 11, Israel traveled to Norway and suffered one of their most painful defeats of the campaign (0-5). By the middle of the first half, the match's outcome was virtually sealed, with the scoreboard reading 3-0 in favor of the hosts. The Israelis appeared helpless in attack, managing only four shots in 90 minutes and an xG of just 0.22. The result reflected their performance.

Latest news

Italy

📣 Italy's head coach Gennaro Gattuso, following the 3-1 victory over Estonia, emphasized: "The key is to create chances. You might miss, fail to convert a penalty, but having those opportunities is crucial." The coach highlighted that the current qualifying campaign holds strategic importance for the Azzurri: "Our mission is to grow from game to game and make our return to the World Cup."

🚫 Italy faces two setbacks ahead of their upcoming match. Alessandro Bastoni will miss the game due to a suspension from accumulating yellow cards—a significant blow to the team's defensive line. Additionally, Moise Kean's participation remains uncertain as he deals with an ankle bruise. His involvement will be determined closer to the match, but even if cleared, the forward is unlikely to start.

Israel

📣 Israel's head coach Ran Ben-Shimon, after their 5-0 defeat to Norway, acknowledged the high caliber of their opponents, noting that the Scandinavian team ranks among the continent's elite: "Norway are one of the two best teams in Europe, alongside Spain. I expected a lot, but they still managed to surprise us." The coach showed humility following the heavy loss, thanking the hosts for their hospitality and noting that his squad "played below their usual level."

🚫 Israel's squad is also dealing with roster issues. Midfielder Dor Peretz, who scored twice in their first match against Italy, will not be available for the October fixtures as he was not called up to the national team.

⚽️ Goal Prediction

⚽️ Goal Prediction

Italy are considered the favorites for the upcoming match, but Israel certainly won't travel to Udine just to defend. The team plays boldly in attack, especially when they need to improve their standing in the tournament. Italy's defense has been unstable lately, making errors even against mid-level opponents. Moreover, the visitors have players capable of making a difference individually. It's also worth noting the trend: the "blue and whites" have scored in 9 out of their last 10 World Cup qualifying matches. Therefore, betting on an Israel goal, as they have nothing to lose, seems quite reasonable.

🚩 Corner Prediction

Israel approach the match with a clear understanding—they need to play for the win. The team is unlikely to sit back and will surely look for opportunities in attack. Even against stronger opponents, the Israelis frequently reach the opposition's penalty area, earning corners. Furthermore, the statistics speak for themselves: in 6 of their last 7 matches, Israel have taken more than 1.5 corners, and there's no reason to expect this trend to stop now.