International friendly - Italy vs Ivory Coast betting preview

Two teams looking to recover from disappointing World Cups meet today at Upton Park in East London as Italy face the Ivory Coast. Neither side qualified from their group in South Africa and Italy, who went into the tournament as the defending champions, were unable even to in a game. The Ivory Coast were in the `group of death`, with Brazil and Portugal, but were distinctly underwhelming given the depth of talent at their disposal.

Italy are favourites for the game at 5/4 (bet £40 to win £50 profit) with William Hill, leaving the Ivory Coast, who will be without captain and star striker Didier Drogba, as underdogs at 10/3 on Betfair, with the draw at 9/4 with Stan James.

Tonight`s match is expected to be a fairly even contest, with bookmakers making a 1-1 draw the favourite score, available at 6/1 on Betfair. Canbet go 13/2 that Italy win 1-0, with the same score in favour of the Ivory Coast is 11/1, also on Betfair. Canbet offer 8/1 that the game finishes goalless, while 2-0 to the Azzuri is 10/1 with Betinternet.

Mario Balotelli, who failed to make Italy`s World Cup squad, is 11/2 favourite to open the scoring tonight. The Inter Milan striker is though likely to join Manchester City this summer but his wage demands are said to be getting in the way of any deal. He is followed in the betting by Giuseppe Rossi, formerly of Manchester United, at 6/1, with Amauri, making his first appearance for Italy, at 13/2 with Bet 365.

In the absence of Drogba, Aruna Dindane and Seydou Doumbia are seen as the Ivory Coast`s most dangerous players, both priced at 17/2 with Bet 365. However, Chelsea`s Salomon Kalou has a better scoring record than either of them and is a bigger price at 9/1.

Ladbrokes offer 11/4 that Italy lead tonight at both half-time and full-time and 5/1 is available on Betfair that they win after drawing at the interval. Draw/draw is 4/1 with most bookmakers, while the Ivory Coast are 6/1 with Victor Chandler and William Hill to be in front at both the break and the final whistle.

Italy have some decent young players coming through and the bookmakers give them a decent chance in the early betting for the 2014 World Cup, generally offering 20/1. The Ivory Coast, however, are expected to struggle, as most of their stars are likely to have retired in four years. The Elephants areas long as 100/1 with Boylesports and Bet 365.

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