After missing out on automatic qualification, Italy can begin their preparations for the play-offs when they travel to Albania for their final World Cup qualification group game on Monday.
Friday’s 1-1 draw at home to Macedonia means the Azzurri can no longer catch leaders Spain in Group G, although they are 13/20 (1.65) favourites with bet365 to head into the play-offs on winning form with a victory in Shkoder.
With only pride to play for as they sit seven points adrift in third place, Christian Panucci’s team are available at 5/1 (6.00) to end the campaign on a high by coming out on top against his homeland.
None of the hosts’ last seven competitive matches on home turf have resulted in draws, but you can get odds of 29/10 (3.90) on them earning a share of the spoils in this one.
Although even a win would have made snatching first place all but impossible given Spain’s far superior goal difference, the stalemate against Macedonia came as something of a blow for Gian Piero Ventura.
While the performance in the opening 45 minutes was enough to achieve a one-goal advantage at the break, a lacklustre second half display saw the game end with the home fans voicing their displeasure at Turin’s Stadio Olimpico.
Despite having a play-off place already secured, the guests will be keen to out that result behind them as soon as possible – starting at the Stadiumi Loro Borici.
GOALHaving scored 10 times in their three away group matches apart from the trip to Spain, Ventura’s men should feel confident of boosting morale when they take on a defence whose only clean sheet in 10 competitive home games was recorded against lowly Liechtenstein last time out.
Considering the Eagles have conceded eight times in their four home matches prior to that, odds of 10/11 (1.91) seem generous on a fired-up Italy scoring at least twice for the 11th time in 13 World Cup qualifiers on the road.
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Italy to score over 1.5 goals for a 2pt stake at 10/11 (1.91) with bet365 |