• Italy have seen 33 goals across their eight qualifying matches (4.1 per game).

• Italy have failed to qualify for the last two World Cups.

• Northern Ireland have scored more goals from set pieces (three) than open play during qualifying (two).

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📈 Italy v Northern Ireland Form & Stats

This is a massive game for Italy, even though they are heavy favourites, with the pressure on Gennaro Gattuso and the wider set up to reach the World Cup after missing out on the last two World Cups in 2022 and 2018. For a nation the size and football reputation of Italy, missing out on a third World Cup would be the ultimate embarrassment - especially in a game where they are heavy favourites.

Italy weren’t awful during qualifying, winning six of their eight matches, but were comfortably 2nd to Norway - who managed to win all eight of their matches. Italy lost both games to Norway during qualifying, including losing 4-1 in their last qualifying game before this play-off round. This would suggest that Italy are quite a way below some of the other elite sides in Europe, though they should have enough quality to beat Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland were quite a scrappy side during qualifying, winning three and losing three of their matches. They only managed to score seven goals across those games, with more goals coming from set pieces (three) than open play (two). Gattuso noted in his press conference the threat that Northern Ireland can pose from set pieces - so we can expect this to be a key part of the away side's overall strategy.

📔 Italy v Northern Ireland Formation & Team News

Italy will set up in their recognisable 3-5-2 shape, which has been the main system that the Italians have used over the last few years. Most sides in Serie A play with this structure, or with wing backs at the very least, so this is a notable part of the Italian DNA which shouldn’t change for this clash.

Italy’s midfield is probably the strongest and most well rounded part of the side, with Manuel Locatelli, Nicolo Barella and Sandro Tonali all being excellent technical players who can control the game for Italy. Federico Dimarco is also a very useful outlet that Italy can use as the one thing that Italy miss compared to the other elite nations is pace - which Dimarco can provide, alongside an end product which he has improved this season.

Northern Ireland are also likely to line up with a back five, probably sitting into a 5-4-1 shape when out of possession. They will look to make the game as scrappy as possible, which is the opposite of the style that Italy have been playing with during qualifying, which is an end-to-end, chaotic approach under Gattuso.

🔮 Football Predictions at Andy's Bet Club

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For Thursday's football, we have World Cup Qualifier Accumulator Tips, as well as Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland Predictions, Wales v Bosnia and Herzegovina Predictions and England v Uruguay Bet Builder Tips.

The 2026 World Cup is on the horizon. On ABC, you can expect World Cup Betting Tips and World Cup 2026 Free Bet Offers.

* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.

* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.