2014 WORLD CUP SOCCER

ITALY

vs. URUGUAY

Line:
Italy +160, Uruguay +170, Tie +225
Over/Under: 2.5 Goals (Over Even, Under -129)

Italy and Uruguay clash on Tuesday in a matchup that will decide which team will be advancing to the Round of 16.

Italy is in a position where they can advance with a draw against Uruguay, however, their opponents will need a victory to keep on playing this summer. Italy will not be able to play for a draw or they could be sent packing, as they will have to match the intensity of what will surely be a desperate Uruguay team.

In the opening match of group play, Italy defeated England 2-1 in a very tight affair. Their next game was a match with Costa Rica and they were heavily favored to win, but they were handed a 1-0 upset loss. Italy did a good job of controlling the game, but they were unable to score when it mattered most. They won the time of possession battle with 58%, but they were dead even in shots on goal at 6-6. Costa Rica was much more aggressive defensively, finishing the game with 23 tackles compared to just 14 by Italy. The Italian defenders will need to be tougher next game, but it’ll be up to their strikers to get them on the board. Another zero-goal performance will likely mean them heading back home after the game.

Uruguay was upset 3-1 in their first game against Costa Rica and went into the England match with not many giving them a chance to advance. This all changed when Luis Suarez scored two goals in a monumental win over the English.

In Uruguay’s match against England, their best player needed to perform at his highest level, and despite being injured earlier in the tournament, Suarez was able to score the first goal of the game at the 39-minute mark. After Wayne Rooney tied it up for England at 75 minutes, Suarez put home the game-winner just 10 minutes later. England dominated in time of possession with 62% compared to just 38% for Uruguay. They also had more shots on goal than Uruguay at 8-6. The only difference in the game was Suarez, and he will need to play equally as well against Italy if his team is going to pick up a victory and advance. All eyes will be on the Uruguay superstar, so open-field opportunities will not come by often.