Northern Ireland face a difficult opening match to their 2022 World Cup qualification campaign as they head to Italy.
Naturally, the expectation will be on the home side to take the points, but the Green and White Army will be looking to put on a good defensive show as a platform for future qualifiers, frustrating their hosts and hoping to sneak a point.
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Ian Baraclough’s side haven’t won an away competitive match in 90 minutes for approaching two years and that was against Belarus, with the Azzurri providing a rather sterner test of credentials.
Roberto Mancini has his side on a 22-match unbeaten run at present, stretching across two-and-a-half years in competitive and friendly games, while Italy have also only conceded one goal in their last seven matches.
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Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game.
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When is the match?
The game kicks off at 7:45pm on Thursday, 25 March.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Football. Subscribers can stream the match via the Sky Go app.
If you’re not a Sky customer you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
What is the team news?
The Inter contingent of Nicolo Barella, Alessandro Bastoni and Stefano Sensi are unlikely to play after a Covid outbreak at the club. Lorenzo Pellegrini has a knock so could miss this game too.
For Northern Ireland, Conor Washington has pulled out of the squad with hamstring issues, with Shayne Lavery called up instead.
Predicted line-ups
ITA - Donnarumma; Florenzi, Bonucci, Acerbi, Emerson; Verratti, Jorginho, Locatelli; Chiesa, Belotti, Insigne
NIR - Peacock-Farrell; Evans, Ballard, Cathcart; Dallas, McNair, Smith, McCann, Lewis; Magennis, Boyce
Odds
Italy - 1/6
Draw - 7/1
Northern Ireland - 25/1
Prediction
Dominance of possession for the hosts and a resolute defensive display for the visitors - but, ultimately, attacking quality will find a way through. Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland.
