Northern Ireland vs Italy Predictions and Betting Tips
All eyes would be on Belfast on Monday night as they reigning European champions Italy would be eyeing automatic qualification as they take on Ian Baraclough's Northern Ireland side.
The Italians would be looking to do the double against their opponents in this fixture having won 2-0 in the reverse match back in Italy.
Must-win game for Mancini and Co.
Northern Ireland's hopes of qualifying for Qatar 2022 has been crushed even before the November international break kicked off last Thursday. They were nine points adrift of the second position with just two games left to play. Still and all, we saw them pick up their second win in the group last Friday with a 1-0 victory against fellow strugglers Lithuania. The level gets elevated a little with the reigning Italian champions set to pay a visit on Monday. Would we see them Pull off a shock victory to delight their fans on Monday?
Italians passed up the chance to put one leg on the qualification spot on Friday against Switzerland. With the game perfectly poised at 1-1, the Azzurri were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead when the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Up stepped Jorginho in the final minutes of the game, however, the Chelsea midfielder was thwarted by Yann Sommer to keep the game at 1-1 with both Italy and Switzerland level on points whilst the Italians lead with a +2 goal difference.
Northern Ireland vs Italy Team News
Northern Ireland possible starting XI:
Peacock-Farrell; Brown, Cathcart, Evans; Jones, Dallas, Saville, Davis; McNair, Ferguson, Washington
Italy possible starting XI:
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Bastoni, Emerson; Barella, Locatelli, Tonali; Chiesa, Belotti, Insigne
Northern Ireland vs Italy Prediction: 0-3
The hosts might pose some problems for the Italians but given the European champions are in desperate need of a win, we don't think Northern Ireland would have enough to keep them quiet all through the ninety minutes.
