Italy (w) vs China (w) Prediction: Both teams are great at blocks. Most likely, that’s only what we’ll see today

In October 2018, the Italians defeated the Chinese in the World Championship semifinals in five sets and haven't beaten them since then. By the way, they won then, but lost on the block 10-12. A total of 22 blocks – oh did they do their best at defending. We are very likely to see something like that today.

Team Italy gathered the main squad only in the second week. Curiously enough, with this main squad they defeated Brazil and South Korea with the same score of 3-1. Only four of Italy's 10 wins came three to nil. However, during the second and third weeks, Egonu did not always come out on the court, and the players were changed all the time. As for the Brazilians, neither was it.

Mazzanti's players commit an average of three service errors per game, which is very high for women. It was better in the game against Thailand – only seven, but it's not the rule. Not surprisingly, in all matches where they had to play more than three sets, the Italians made double-digit service errors. Most of all in the four-set game with Poland,18.

As for the blocks, double-digit numbers are more common, as the Italians did them on the average almost three times per game. At first it was more than three, but in last games with outsiders they gave up a little.

The Chinese serve much more accurately. They had no double-digit number of service mistakes during the group stage, even in five-set matches. To compare: Italy has seven games with double-digit number of errors. The Chinese women have committed just one service error per match, and on average they've lost a serve 1.3 times per game. Let's see what totals the bookmakers will offer, but at first glance we can see about 17 errors in four sets.

Now speaking of the blocks, China has an average of two and a half blocks per set. Combined with the Italians, that gives us five and a half blocks per game and more than 20 in four games. That's a clear Total Over.

In the group stage, the Chinese beat their opponent 3-1 in sets, 5-4 in aces, 14-4 in blocks and 5-11 in service errors. But it was the first week, and there was honestly no one memorable on the roster.

In Tokyo, they beat Italy by three-nil, but it couldn't help them.

So, both teams are good blockers and if the match doesn't end in three sets, they should break the blocks' Total Over (17.5). Well, besides, I'm a little confused by the bookmakers' confidence in an unconditional victory of Italy. Serbia has already surprised us, so why should China be any worse? Here are the betting options for you to consider:

– Blocks Total Over 17.5 for 1.80;

– Handicap China (+11.5) for 1.90;

– China To Win for 4.33.

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