Northern Ireland vs Italy – Euro 2012 

Northern Ireland started well this qualification with a away victory in their first game against Slovenia (1-0), a game where N.Ireland scored in the only chance they had. The home side dominated all game and created many opportunities, but they didn’t score…

Northern Ireland proved to be a weak team when the opposing team attacks on the wings and still had many difficulties in heading plays. With this victory, ended a terrible 10 matches sequence, without a win. Since September 9 last year that this team had not scored goals and this victory may have given courage to this team.

Probable Team: Taylor, Baird, Hughes, Craigan, Evans, Brunt, Davis, Clingan, McCann, Lafferty, Healy.

The 2006 World Champion, Italy, comes not only with the qualifying purpose but in order to make us forget the terrible World Cup 2010 Group Stage, where they were eliminated. With two wins in two games at this stage the Italian team will face again a easiest team, and Italy will try to win this game for a big difference. In worst Northern Ireland points, Italy is good and more heading skills can cause difficulties to home team. Eleven is different from that used in the World Cup and has started to make a difference. Montolivo, Buffon and Balotelli are injured but Italy has a great squad and with many solutions.

Probable Team: Viviano; Cassani, Bonucci, Chiellini, Criscito, De Rossi, Pirlo, Mauri; Pepe, Borriello, Cassano.

Conclusion: After Italy last game (5-0), begins at this time to recover lost motivation in the World Cup. Northern Ireland is a team with many offensive and defensive difficulties, playing at home they will try to keep close behind, for 0-0. Italy is moralized and want to win these two games so I think Italy is a good bet here!