Italy face Finland in their Euro 2020 qualification curtain-raiser in Udine on Saturday evening.
The Azzurri have reached the last six European Championships and are expected to qualify once again. The draw has certainly been kind, with Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Finland, Greece and Liechtenstein set to provide the opposition in Group J.
However, the pressure is on for Roberto Mancini's men after Italy failed to reach last summer's World Cup finals in Russia. Another unsuccessful qualification campaign is surely unthinkable for one of the heavyweights of the international game.
Latest odds
The Azzurri are red-hot favourites to kick off their campaign with a vital victory on home soil. Indeed, William Hill offer just 2/7 (1.29) that Italy pick up all three points.
The enormity of the task facing Finland is reflected in the 11/1 (12.0) quote for an away win. William Hill go 4/1 (5.0) that Saturday's showdown ends in stalemate.
Team news
Mario Balotelli and Andrea Belotti were surprise exclusions when Mancini named his squad last week. In-form Fabio Quagliarella, who has not played for his country for eight years, could lead the line for the Azzurri..
Teemu Pukki, who has been in fantastic form for Norwich City this season, will likely spearhead the attack for the visitors.
Getty Images
Happy hosts
Italy have never been beaten by Finland, winning 11 and drawing one of the 12 fixtures between the nations. As well, the Azzurri have conceded just one goal in the last 10 meetings, winning to nil on nine occasions.
William Hill go 3/4 (1.75) that the hosts win without conceding in Udine and just 1/2 (1.50) that Finland fail to find the net on Italian soil.
Misery for Mancini
Italy have lost just one of their last 28 home European Championships qualifiers although they have been held in six of their last eight home matches. William Hill offer 12/5 (3.40) that Finland avoid defeat and 11/2 (6.50)that they keep a clean sheet.
Prediction
There is every chance that this will prove be a tight tussle, with goals at something of a premium. Italy have scored more than one goal in just one of their last nine home matches, and there have been fewer than three goals scored in eight of those.
William Hill offer a tempting 13/8 (2.63)that Italy win a match in which fewer than three goals are scored on Saturday evening. The selection would have landed in four of Italy's last five victories and in seven of Finland's last nine defeats.
Italy to win and under 2.5 goals at 13/8 (2.63) for a 1pt stake with William Hill 
William Hill