Verdict: Italy win to nil
Best Odds: 1/1
Bookmaker: Luckster
With all eyes falling on Bergamo on Thursday night, Italy will host Northern Ireland as both camps look to take a giant leap towards booking their summer World Cup ticket.
Italy
Starting with the hosts, while Italy might have been left hugely frustrated back in November as they were eventually forced to settle for a silver medal finish in Group I, Gennaro Gattuso’s side are almost universally regarded as a standout contender to book their ticket to North America. Despite suffering consecutive World Cup qualifying defeats against Norway last year, the European icons did win each of their other six Group I appearances and open Thursday’s showdown pencilled in as a landslide contender. Securing a 2-0 victory when they last welcomed Northern Ireland to town for a World Cup qualifying battle back in March 2021, Italy will be dreaming of another routine display here. Although the Azzurri might have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders in midweek, the former AC Milan boss will be calling on his superstar squad to make a public statement in Bergamo.
Italy Team News
While Liverpool star Federico Chiesa might have been a shock inclusion this month, the 28-year-old has been forced to withdraw from Italy’s squad and will not play any part here. Immediately returning to the Premier League giants this week, the Azzurri have announced that Bologna’s Nicolo Cambiaghi has been called up as cover.
Forced to watch on from the bench and Manchester City were crowned EFL Cup champions over the weekend, Gianluigi Donnarumma will return between the sticks. Premier League-based superstars such as Sandro Tonali and Riccardo Calafiori will feature on Thursday night.
Northern Ireland
As for the visitors, while Northern Ireland might have signed off their respective World Cup qualifying adventure with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at home against Luxembourg, Michael O’Neill’s camp failed to find any kind of stability during their Group A campaign. Not registering consecutive victories across any competitions over the past 18 months, the Greens have also failed to find any real attacking fluidity. Including consecutive 1-0 defeats against Slovakia and Germany last year, the one-time Stoke City boss has seen his squad register just a sole strike in over 270 minutes of action. Despite snatching a gritty 0-0 stalemate when they last met Italy for a World Cup qualifying showdown back in November 2021, O’Neill’s camp travel over to Bergamo on Thursday night pencilled in as a major underdog contender.
Northern Ireland Team News
In what is a huge blow for Northern Ireland on Thursday night, Sunderland defender Dan Ballard will not play any part after being forced to withdraw from O’Neill’s squad. Likewise, Liverpool star Conor Bradley remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury and will not play any part over in Bergamo.
Completing a loan switch to German outfit Bochum during the January transfer window, West Ham loanee Callum Marshall should feature here. Crystal Palace youngster Justin Devenny could start in the middle of the park on Thursday.
Italy vs Northern Ireland Key Factors to Consider
- When Italy and Northern Ireland last met for a World Cup qualifying showdown back in November 2021, Thursday’s opponents played out a 0-0 stalemate in Belfast.
- Italy have not conceded a single strike in any of their last six straight meetings against Northern Ireland.
- The Greens have recorded just a single competitive victory on foreign soil since way back in March 2023.
- Northern Ireland have registered just a single strike in over 270 minutes of action.
- Eight of Italy’s last nine showdowns on home soil have finished with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
While Italy might open Thursday’s showdown pencilled in as a landslide contender, the European icons have some serious pressure on their shoulders. Desperate to avoid what would be an infamous qualifying exit in Bergamo, Northern Ireland have gained a reputation for their glaring issues on foreign soil. With the Greens remarkably mustering just a single competitive victory outside of Belfast since way back in March 2023, Thursday’s guests have an almighty battle on their hands in midweek.
Verdict: Italy win to nil
Best Odds: 1/1
Bookmaker: Luckster
