Italy vs Northern Ireland in World Cup certifying. Get match information, betting pointers, forecasts and TV info for the huge video game at the New Balance Arena.
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Italy vs Northern Ireland kick-off, date & TV information
Date Thursday, March 26
Kick-off 7.45 pm.
Venue New Balance Arena, Bergamo.
Competition World Cup qualifying.
TV BBC One NI & BBC 3
Italy were unable to live with Norway in Group I of World Cup qualifying but they are still 1-2 to schedule their location at the summer masterpiece and are a warm order to conquer Northern Ireland in their Path A opener in Bergamo.
The Azzurri have actually failed to reach the World Cup because 2014, so will be eager to make up for wasted time, while Northern Ireland are going after a very first World Cup look because Mexico 1986. The winner will deal with either Wales or Bosnia in the choosing component next week.
Italy vs Northern Ireland wagering tips & forecasts
Best bet
Italy to win to nil.
1pt 19-20 Hills
Best gamer bet
Trai Hume to be revealed a card.
2-1 basic
Longshot
Gianluca Mancini to score at any time.
15-2 Paddy Power
Italy vs Northern Ireland preview
It has actually been 40 years considering that Northern Ireland's last World Cup look while the pressure is on Italy to not lose out on the finals for a 3rd successive event.
The Azzurri won Euro 2020, beating England in the last, and they are four-time World Cup winners who will think they still belong in the big time.
Finishing 2nd to Norway in Group I, having actually lost 3-0 in Oslo before being routed 4-1 at the San Siro, shows that they are a shadow of their former self.
However, they are still an elite country with quality throughout their side - especially in midfield - and they need to have couple of concerns about beating Northern Ireland in Bergamo.
Michael O'Neill's side were outclassed by Germany and Slovenia in Group A of World Cup certifying and defensive injuries to Dan Ballard and Conor Bradley are a hammer blow.
Northern Ireland have won just three of their 19 away internationals since March 2022, with their victories coming at San Marino, Scotland and Luxembourg.
The Green and White Army lost 3-1 in Germany, scoring with their only shot on target, while they handled simply 2 efforts on goal in November's limp 1-0 loss at Slovakia.
Italy will be anticipated to control belongings and Northern Ireland will need to soak up a great deal of pressure, making it tough to imagine a free-flowing encounter.
O'Neill's males showed versus Germany that they can be strong at the back for large parts of a game - they lost 1-0 at Windsor Park - and they yielded just 6 goals in as lots of qualifiers, 4 of which came against the Germans.
Italy may need to embrace a client technique however they are anticipated to put their extra experience to excellent use and 4 of their 6 qualifying wins were accompanied by a clean sheet.
Gennaro Gattuso's side have clear superiority in midfield with Newcastle's Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Barella of Inter and defensively they should be dominant in many situations as Riccardo Calafiori and Alessandro Bastoni provide plenty of defense for towering goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Hume on the card hunt
Trai Hume collected his 8th Premier League yellow card of the season in Sunderland's 2-1 win over competitors Newcastle on Sunday and another reservation could come his way in this World Cup playoff encounter.
Hume uses his heart on his sleeve and the right-back, who has 6 reservations in just 27 caps, can expect a busy evening dealing with marauding wing-back Federico Dimarco.
Mancini might be the man for Azzurri
Three of the 6 goals Northern Ireland yielded in certifying originated from set-pieces and the absence of aerial presence Ballard might leave them susceptible because department.
Italy centre-back Gianluca Mancini could be one to benefit and, having actually scored in certifying wins over Israel and Moldova, he looks overpriced to get on the scoresheet.
Italy vs Northern Ireland Bet Builder
Italy to win
Northern Ireland have an awful away record, winning only one of their last 9 roadway matches and suffering six beats, so Italy must advance in 90 minutes.
Federico Dimarco to have a help
Dimarco grabbed four helps throughout Italy's eight World Cup qualifiers and he has chalked up 14 assists in 28 matches for Inter in Serie A this season.
Trai Hume to dedicate 2 or more fouls
The Northern Ireland right-back made three fouls for Sunderland in Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby win and he has actually made seven fouls throughout his last 3 World Cup qualifiers.
Pays out at 11-2 with bet365
Key stats for Italy vs Northern Ireland
♦ Italy have actually won 6 of their last 7 matches, recording 4 tidy sheets.
♦ Italy have actually kept tidy sheets in their last 6 conferences with Northern Ireland.
♦ Northern Ireland have actually lost four of their last 5 away internationals.
♦ Each of Northern Ireland's last five matches have actually gone under 2.5 goals
Italy vs Northern Ireland wagering chances
Sign up with bet365 to bet on Italy vs Northern Ireland in World Cup qualifying. Here are the current odds for tonight's match.
Odds fix sometimes of publishing
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Italy vs Northern Ireland team news and predicted line-ups
Italy
Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo is missing and Federico Chiesa has actually withdrawn from the team due to injury. Alessandro Bastoni and Gianluca Mancini are carrying knocks however need to be fit to feature, although Gianluca Scamacca must be evaluated.
Predicted line-up (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Politano, Tonali, Barella, Locatelli, Dimarco; Retegui, Kean.
Subs: Coppola, Scalvini, Cambiaso, Esposito, Palestra, Buongiorno, Gatti, Spinazzola, Pisilli, Cristante, Frattesi, Raspadori, Scamacca.
Northern Ireland
Sunderland centre-back Dan Ballard is set to miss out together with Liverpool's Conor Bradley and Jamal Lewis of Preston. George Saville returns from suspension.
Predicted line-up (3-4-2-1): Peacock-Farrell; McConville, Brown, McNair; Hume, S Charles, Galbraith, Devenny; Lyons, Price; D Charles.
Subs: Spencer, Toal, Devlin, Donley, McDonnell, Saville, Smyth, Kelly, Morrison, Magennis, Marshall, Reid.
Learn more:
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FAQs
When is Italy vs Northern Ireland in World Cup qualifying?
Italy vs Northern Ireland happens on Thursday, March 26 and begins at 7.45 pm GMT.
Where is Italy vs Northern Ireland being played?
The venue for the video game is the New Balance Arena, Bergamo.
Where can I enjoy Italy vs Northern Ireland?
BBC One NI & BBC Three is showing the game live in the UK.
What is the match betting for Italy vs Northern Ireland?
Italy are 2-7 to win, are a 10-1chance and the draw is 9-2.
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