Northern Ireland vs Italy Match Analysis and Prediction

5 years ago 840

Italy opportunity to banish their bad luck from failing to qualify for Russia in 2018 comes under real test on Monday as they travel to Northern Ireland in the World Cup Qualifying game.

While the European champions may guarantee progress to the next year’s final with a victory, their opponents will be playing pride and a chance to finish third in Group C.

Chelsea midfielder Jorginho lost a penalty which could have effectively sealed Italy’s opportunity of qualification for Qatar 2022, but Italy managed to see out an entertaining encounter sharing a point with Switzerland.

Silvan Widmer scored for the Swiss putting them ahead, but a header by Giovanni Di Lorenzo put Roberto Mancini side back in the game to level. Italy have a supirior goal differince to their Alpine rivals in the top of the table, as they are seeking to avoid the playoffs to book a direct ticket to Qatar.

The Azzurri are travelling to Northern Ireland while Switzerland will play Bulgaria at home, so Italy should secure a victory in Belfast avoiding to be outscored by Switzerland, whom they have drawn with twice.

After winning the Euros, Italy have had mixed results as their unbeaten run was brought to an end by Spain in the Nations League semi-finals, after which they beat Belgium to secure third place and then they were also held by Bulgaria in Florence.

Taking dominance into three points against Lithuania on Friday will have boosted Northern Ireland’s morale, as they prepare to host the continent champions and Group C learders.

Having lost both of their qualifiers in October, Northern Ireland can at least attain consolation of a third-place finish in a group which has developed into a two-horse race, as getting through to the back of their opponents is going to proof to be a hard task.

Northern Ireland vs Italy head to head

Italy are on the obvious a better team than Northern Ireland in their previous meetings – having met eight times – where the hosts have only won one game and drawn once with Italy winning the other six in all competitions. However, Italy have never won a game away, losing one and drawing one.

Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland 03/06/03

Italy 3-0 Northern Ireland 06/06/09

Northern Ireland 0-0 Italy 08/10/10

Italy 3-0 Northern Ireland 11/10/11

Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland 25/03/21

Northern Ireland latest home form

The Green and White Army do not really have a good form at home recently as they have only won one out of their last five matches at the home ground, drawing two and losing two. They have only managed to score 3 goals in the last five matches and conceded 3.

Northern Ireland 1-1 Romania 18/11/20

Northern Ireland 1-2 United States 28/03/21

Northern Ireland 0-0 Bulgaria 31/03/21

Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland 08/09/21

Northern Ireland 1-0 Lithuania 12/11/21

Northern Ireland latest away form

Despite starting to pick a momentum of a good performance away from home, they again seem to have lost confidence a lost their last two recent matches. They have won two out of their last five recent away matches scoring six times and conceding 4 as well.

Ukrain 1-0 Northern Ireland 03/06/21

Lithuania 1-4 Northern Ireland 02/09/21

Estonia 0-1 Northern Ireland 05/09/21

Switzerland 2-0 Northern Ireland 09/10/21

Bulgaria 2-1 Northern Ireland 12/10/21

Italy latest home form

Not as expected, Italy have really wavered and failed to impress at home not producing a steady outcome in the home games, winning only two of their last five recent matches, drawing two and losing one to Spain, They however have had a very impressive record before.

Italy 1-1 Bulgaria 02/09/21

Italy 5-0 Lithuania 08/09/21

Italy 1-2 Spain 06/10/21

Italy 2-1 Belgium 10/10/21

Italy 1-1 Switzerland 12/11/21

Italy latest away form

Gli Azzurri have really enjoyed a good away form winning matches back-to-back on the road in all competitions. However, they showed some kind of weakness coming into the World Cup Qualifying match against Switzerland in Septermber collecting a point in a 0-0 draw.

Bulgaria 0-2 Italy 28/03/21

Lithuania 0-2 Italy 31/03/21

Turkey 0-3 Italy 11/06/21

Belgium 1-2 Italy 02/07/21

Switzerland 0-0 Italy 05/09/21

Northern Ireland news

Northern Ireland have few injury cases to deal with, as Ali McCann and Josh Magennis would start again as part of a 3-5-2 formation alongside defender Jonny Evans. Jamal Lewis will also be available back from suspension, with Dale Taylor possibly featuring again in second half.

Italy news

Italy have got good strenghth in the midfield and the back but have struggled in finding the right recipe up front. Captain Giorgio Chiellini was recently ruled out due to thigh problem, but either Gianluca Mancini or Francesco Acerbi should join Leonardo Bonucci in Italy’s back four.

Prediction and Odds

Northern Ireland are playing without pressure with main men at disposal, which poses threat to Italy side. The Azzurri should get an early goal and ensure a vital victory, leaving them to await for the results for Switzerland match before they celebrate thier qualification.

Odds: 1 4.25 X 5.0 2 1.25