Italy vs Northern Ireland Tips & Predictions - Azzurri Win to Nil in the World Cup Qualifier
Italy seeks to secure a spot in the World Cup by defeating Northern Ireland in the qualifying play-offs. Playing at home, Italy is expected to capitalize on the advantage, leveraging the team's superior skills against a Northern Ireland squad that has shown vulnerabilities in away matches. The focus will be on Italy winning without conceding any goals, with a predicted score of 2-0 seen as likely. Fans are hopeful for a decisive victory to boost Italy's prospects in the World Cup tournament.
- Italy kept 3 home clean sheets during World Cup Qualifying
- Northern Ireland have scored 1 goal in 3 games
- The Azzurri can win to nil in this play-off encounter
Italy vs Northern Ireland Preview
Italy were solid at both ends at home against lower-ranked sides during World Cup Qualifying. Northern Ireland are out of form away and are unlikely to trouble the Azzurri in this play-off clash.
- Italy vs Northern Ireland Preview
- Key Stats - 3 Wins in 4 for Italy
- H2H - Azzurri Dominate
- Italy Keep Home Clean Sheets
- Northern Ireland Lack a Goalscoring Threat
- Predicted Starting Lineups & Team News
Key Stats - 3 Wins in 4 for Italy
- Italy have won to nil in 3 of their last 4 home games.
- Italy have won to nil in 5 consecutive home matches against Northern Ireland.
- Northern Ireland have lost to nil in 2 of their last 3 matches.
H2H - Azzurri Dominate
Italy have a 7-1 advantage against Northern Ireland, alongside three draws.
Italy Keep Home Clean Sheets
Gennaro Gattuso’s Italy finished second in World Cup Qualifying Group I. The Azzurri only lost two matches in qualifying, both against group winners Norway.
Italy lost their opening game 3-0 in Norway before winning six consecutive matches. Gattuso’s side beat Moldova 2-0, Estonia 5-0 and Israel 3-0 at home during that period.
The Azzurri couldn’t extend their winning streak and ended qualifying with a 4-1 home loss to Norway. Francesco Pio Esposito scored after 11 minutes and Italy conceded four goals in the last 30 minutes.
Northern Ireland Lack a Goalscoring Threat
Northern Ireland reached the 2026 World Cup Qualification play-offs as winners of their Nations League group. The Green and White Army came third in qualifying Group A after losing and winning three of their six games.
Michael O’Neill’s side lost their final two Group A away games, 3-1 in Germany and 1-0 against Slovakia. Northern Ireland had -1 XG and attempted just three shots on target across both games.
The Green and White Army beat Luxembourg 1-0 at home in their final qualifying match. Jamie Donley scored a first-half penalty and Northern Ireland had 40% possession and nine shots.
Predicted Starting Lineups & Team News
Italy (4-4-2): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Gianluca Mancini, Alessandro, Federico Dimarco; Matteo Politano, Manuel Locatelli, Nicolo Barella, Davide Frattesi; Mateo Retegui, Francesco Pio Esposito
Goalkeepers: Elia Caprile, Marco Carnesecchi, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alex Meret
Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni, Alessandro Buongiorno, Riccardo Calafiori, Andrea Cambiaso, Diego Coppola, Federico Dimarco, Federico Gatti, Gianluca Mancini, Marco Palestra, Giorgio Scalvini, Leonardo Spinazzola
Midfielders: Nicolo Barella, Bryan Cristante, Davide Frattesi, Manuel Locatelli, Niccolo Pisilli, Sandro Tonali
Forwards: Francesco Pio Esposito, Moise Kean, Matteo Politano, Giacomo Raspadori, Mateo Retegui, Gianluca Scamacca, Nicolo Cambiaghi
Italy confirmed Federico Chiesa’s withdrawal from the squad due to fitness concerns. Winger Nicolo Cambiaghi was called up to replace Chiesa.
Northern Ireland (3-4-2-1): Bailey Peacock-Farrell; Ruairi McConville, Paddy McNair, Ciaron Brown; Trai Hume, Brad Lyons, Jamie McDonnell, Ethan Galbraith, Justin Devenny; Isaac Price, Dion Charles
Goalkeepers: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Conor Hazard, Pierce Charles, Josh Clarke
Defenders: Trai Hume, Ciaron Brown, Brodie Spencer, Paddy McNair, Eoin Toal, Ruairi McConville, Terry Devlin, Tom Atcheson
Midfielders: Jamie Donley, Jamie McDonnell, George Saville, Alistair McCann, Shea Charles, Isaac Price, Paul Smyth, Ethan Galbraith, Justin Devenny, Brad Lyons, Patrick Kelly, Kieran Morrison
Forwards: Josh Magennis, Dion Charles, Callum Marshall, Jamie Reid
Dan Ballard has been ruled out following a hamstring injury.
Northern Ireland confirmed the defender’s withdrawal in a statement and said, “Daniel Ballard is out of Northern Ireland’s squad for this week’s FIFA World Cup 2026 play-off semi-final against Italy.”
Verdict
Italy will be motivated to advance in the 2026 World Cup Qualifying play-offs in front of a home crowd. The Azzurri have enough quality to comfortably beat a Northern Ireland side that struggles to create chances on the road.
Italy Win to Nil
Win to Nil
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Italy Win 2-0
Correct Score
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