Israel vs Italy prediction, H2H and probable line-ups, September 8, 2025

On Sep 7, 2025

Italy faces Israel in a vital 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying clash on September 8, 2025, at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary. This fixture carries major group implications, with Israel eager to extend their lead after playing one match more, while Italy aims to close the gap and continue their positive momentum under new manager Gennaro Gattuso.

Recent Form and Head-to-Head

Italy dominates the head-to-head: The Azzurri have won all four encounters between the teams in the 21st century, most recently posting 4-1 and 2-1 wins in the 2024 Nations League.
Both teams have strong offensive records:Three of the last four meetings have seen both teams score, suggesting an attacking contest is likely.
Group standings: Israel has played one more match and sits narrowly ahead of Italy, making this clash crucial for both sides’ World Cup ambitions.

Probable Line-Ups and Key Team News

Israel Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Daniel Peretz (GK)
Eli Dasa, Stav Lemkin, Idan Nachmias, Roy Revivo
Dor Peretz, Eliel Peretz
Dan Biton, Oscar Gloukh, Manor Solomon
Tai Baribo

Key absentees: Mohammad Abu Fani and Liel Abada are not available, but Oscar Gloukh and Manor Solomon bring creativity.

Italy Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):

Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK)
Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Alessandro Bastoni, Riccardo Calafiori, Federico Dimarco
Nicolo Barella, Manuel Locatelli, Sandro Tonali
Matteo Politano, Mateo Retegui, Mattia Zaccagni

Key news: Gianluca Scamacca is out with a knee injury; Gattuso may stick with the attacking trio of Retegui, Politano, and Zaccagni following their strong showing against Estonia.

Key Stats and H2H Analysis

Italy has won 6 of the past 7 meetings (1 draw), outscoring Israel 14-3 overall in competitive matches since 2016.
Israel has won just 3 of their last 10 games, while Italy has posted 5 wins in the same stretch.
Both teams average over 2 goals per game in H2H matchups.
Neither side has kept a clean sheet in 3 of the last 4 meetings, making both teams scoring a strong trend.

Betting Tips and Odds

Result odds: Italy is a clear favorite, but Israel’s recent strong form suggests they could cover the Asian Handicap of +1.25.
Goals: Backing both teams to score is supported by historical trends.
Final score prediction: Most experts forecast a 1-2 win for Italy, reflecting their superior experience and squad depth, but not discounting Israel’s ability to make an impact.

Final Prediction

Expect Italy to continue their dominance in this fixture, but Israel’s attacking options could make it competitive. Look for Italy to secure a narrow win, with both teams likely to get on the scoresheet.

Prediction: Israel 1-2 Italy
Best Bets: Italy to Win | Both Teams to Score (Yes) | Over 2.5 Goals

Key Takeaway:
Italy’s historical edge and strong lineup make them favorites, but Israel’s recent form and the neutral venue keep the door open for a competitive match.