Estonia vs Italy Prediction & Betting Tips (11 October)

Italy’s road to redemption continues as they prepare to face Estonia in a pivotal World Championship 2026 qualifier. After a turbulent start to their campaign, the Azzurri are now under the stewardship of Gennaro Gattuso, whose appointment followed Luciano Spalletti’s abrupt departure. Gattuso’s fiery leadership style has injected fresh energy into the squad, with veterans like Gianluigi Donnarumma and Marco Verratti anchoring the team. Italy’s recent form includes wins over Switzerland and North Macedonia, suggesting a resurgence is underway, though their earlier 3-0 loss to Norway still looms large in the rearview mirror.

Estonia, meanwhile, enters the fixture with quiet determination. Coached by Thomas Häberli, the Baltic underdogs have shown flashes of promise despite a rocky qualifying journey. Their campaign began with a narrow 2-1 loss to Israel, followed by a thrilling 3-2 win over Moldova. However, back-to-back defeats to Israel and Norway have left them level on points with Italy, albeit with fewer games played. Häberli’s squad leans heavily on the experience of Konstantin Vassiljev and the reliability of goalkeeper Vladislav Krasnozhanov, hoping to frustrate Italy’s attacking ambitions.

The match will be played in Tallinn, where Estonia will look to capitalize on home support to challenge a historically dominant opponent. Italy has won all six previous meetings between the sides, including a 5-0 rout in their last encounter. Yet, Estonia’s recent performances suggest they won’t go down without a fight. Tactical discipline and counter-attacking flair will be key to their strategy, while Italy is expected to press aggressively from the outset. Alessandro Bastoni’s return from injury adds steel to Italy’s backline, and Ciro Immobile remains a constant threat up front.

While Italy holds the edge in pedigree and form, this fixture promises more tension than the scoreline might suggest. Estonia’s resilience could see them snatch a goal, but Italy’s depth and urgency should ultimately prevail. Our prediction leans toward a 2-1 victory for Italy—a result that reflects both the Azzurri’s need for points and Estonia’s growing tenacity. It won’t be a walkover, but it will be a step forward for Gattuso’s men.