Moldova vs Italy Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (UEFA)
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
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Moldova will want to finish by restoring an element of pride after a very poor qualifying campaign ahead of the visit of a still challenging Italy side to Chisinau this week.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime PPV / US – Disney+
Key stats
- Moldova are without a win in their last 26 World Cup qualifying matches (D4 L22). Their last victory was October 2013 vs Montenegro (a) W 5-2.
- Italy won all the previous six international matches between these teams.
- Italy have lost only two of their last 16 World Cup qualifying matches (W9 D5). They have won each of the last five.
- Mateo Retegui has scored five goals in Italy’s last four World Cup qualifying matches.
Moldova vs Italy prediction
UEFA EURO 2024 qualification saw Moldova impress, even defeating Poland, but they have since majorly regressed. The Moldovans come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with Estonia in Tallinn, to mean that they are now winless in nine matches since beating Andorra by a goal to nil 12 months ago.
They face an Italy side that, coached by Gennaro Gattuso, have put themselves back in contention for qualification but they need to beat Italy by four or more goals in their next game. It could be three or more should they majorly, majorly improve their goal difference and this is the chance for that.
The Azzurri have been quite entertaining to watch under Gattuso and they need to rack up a score and so a comfortable victory for the Italians is to be expected in Moldova.
Moldova vs Italy tip: Italy to win -2 handicap
