Italy vs. Northern Ireland Prediction

• Where: New Balance Arena, Bergamo, Italy
• When: Thursday, March 26, 8:45 pm CET

No need to explain how big a game this one is. Italy can’t afford to miss yet another big tournament, despite playing in the previous EURO. The national team has been on the decline since the 2021 European title, and even before that, we haven’t seen Azzurri producing any particularly great results. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland hopes to make a miracle. This team is aware of its qualities and flaws, and has no pressure, which is, in fact, their biggest weapon ahead of the clash in Bergamo.

Italy vs. Northern Ireland Preview

Italy

The Italians were very demoralized following a 4-1 loss to Norway in the last group game. Such a loss was not only painful because of itself, but the fact that it showed everyone that Azzurri aren’t a top-notch team anymore.

Also, it was a huge hit on the reputation, and the current head coach, Gennaro Gattuso, and the boys were scrutinised by the media and the public following the event. After all, it was one of the worst losses in official matches Italy has ever recorded on home soil.

Up to that point, Italy had 6 wins in a row, but let’s be honest here, their rivals were very bad – Estonia, Moldova, Israel, etc. Though, we have to say one more thing, at least Italy’s games are efficient, and 8 of the last 10 ended with over 2.5 goals.

Northern Ireland

Michael O’Neill led the Northern Irish team to the playoffs, but to be straight, their group wasn’t that hard at all. The Green and white had three wins and three losses, losing to the stronger sides and collecting points against Luxembourg and at home against Slovakia.

This is a very tough, physical team with plenty of hard-working midfielders. There’s no creativity in their game, and Northern Ireland’s goals come down to set pieces and opponents’ mistakes.

There aren’t too many goals when this unit plays. The past 4 were all with under 2.5 hits and with just one side netting. Overall, that’s the way Northern Ireland plays, trying to compensate for a lack of talent with an ultra-defensive, rigid approach.

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Italy and Northern Ireland Possible Lineups

Italy: Donnarumma; Cambiaso, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco; Barella, Tonali, Frattesi; Chiesa, Kean, Retegui

Northern Ireland: Peacock-Farrell; Toal, Ballard, McNair, Hume, Lewis; Price, S. Charles, Saville; Marshall, D. Charles

Italy vs Northern Ireland Head to Head

These nations met 11 times, and on 7 occasions, Italy ended up on the winning side. Also, Northern Ireland has scored only one goal against Italy ever.

The most recent event was in the 2021 World Cup qualifiers, in Belfast. That one ended 0-0, which directly affected Italy’s failure to qualify for the tournament in Qatar.

Italy vs. Northern Ireland Predictions

Again, no need to explain too much and waste your time. Italy is a massive favorite here, and we hardly believe they are going to fail once again in the World Cup playoffs at home, as they did 4 years ago against Macedonia. We expect Azzurri to win and cover a -1.5 spread.

Our verdict: Italy -1.5

Italy versus Northern Ireland Odds

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