Having failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, the pressure is on Italy to ensure they do not miss out on the 2020 European Championship. It was strange to see a World Cup without the 2006 winners taking part and even some neutral fans will be hoping they can qualify from Group J.
On the 12th October, Italy host Greece at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome knowing a win could see them qualify with games to spare. As for Greece, qualification is looking increasingly unlikely.
Italy come into the match having recorded a 2-1 win over Finland in Tampere. The Finnish are the closest challengers to Italy at the top of the table and despite conceding an equaliser on 72 minutes, Italy scored the winning goal just 7 minutes later to seal a crucial win.
The Italians have been the strongest team in this group by far and have won all six of their matches to date. They started with a 2-0 home win over Finland before defeating Liechtenstein 6-0 in Parma. An away match in Greece followed and Italy had little difficulty in winning the game, coming away with a 3-0 victory and that was backed up with a 3-1 win in Armenia.
Trends show Italy are undefeated in their last eighteen home matches including friendlies and will believe they have what it takes to win this match.
Greece have endured a poor campaign and need a miracle if they are to make it to the 2020 European Championship. Things started positively with a 2-0 win over Liechtenstein away from home but that is the only win the Greeks have managed in the group over six games.
Following that win, Greece were held to a 2-2 draw in Bosnia and then lost 3-0 at home to Italy, which was a kick in the teeth. The Greeks then suffered a shock 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Armenia and then slumped to a 1-0 loss in Finland. Things got worse as they were then held at home by Liechtenstein.
Trends show Greece have won one of their last six matches which was the opening game of this group in Liechtenstein. They have conceded 2 goals in four of those six games and have kept just a single clean sheet.
Looking ahead to the team news and Italy are without the injured Giorgio Chiellini but can call upon the experience of Leonardo Bonucci at the back and Ciro Immobile in attack.
Greece will have to make do without the injured Kostas Fortounis in midfield plus Italian based central defender Kostas Manolas. That is a big blow to their chances of getting something from the match.
Italy should have enough to win this game. Greece are in poor form and it would be a surprise if Italy did not score at least 2 goals to come out on top.