Moldova – Italy (13 November 2025)
At Zimbru Stadium in Chișinău on 13 November 2025, Moldova host Italy in a European qualifier where the visitors cannot afford a slip. With the group reaching its decisive phase, the contrast in form and ambitions between the two sides is sharper than ever.
Moldova Trying to Halt the Decline
Moldova remain bottom of the group and have endured a difficult qualifying campaign marked by heavy defeats and fragile defensive displays. They did manage to stop a run of seven consecutive losses with a 1–1 draw away to Estonia, yet their home results remain worrying. The most recent, a 0–4 defeat to Israel, highlighted their recurring problems in organisation, duels, and maintaining compactness over 90 minutes. Against a high-level opponent, Moldova will seek to avoid another damaging scoreline, but their recent form offers little encouragement.
Italy Building Momentum Under Gattuso
Italy, by contrast, arrive in Chișinău in excellent shape. Since Gennaro Gattuso took charge following the opening 0–3 loss in Norway, the Azzurri have won five consecutive qualifiers, rediscovering intensity, structure, and attacking sharpness. They have scored at least three goals in each of their last four victories, including a commanding 5–0 win over Estonia. With a crucial showdown against group leaders Norway ahead, Italy know there is no room for error here and will approach the match with focus and urgency.
Prediction: AH – Away –1.5 Goals
Given Italy’s momentum, quality, and need for a convincing result, and considering Moldova’s defensive struggles, this fixture points strongly toward a clear Italian win. The selection is Italy –1.5 on the Asian Handicap, expecting the Azzurri to impose themselves early and secure another comfortable victory.
