Spain vs Italy – FIFA World Cup Qualifier – Preview

Posted on September 2, 2017 by Sreya

Spain vs Italy – Spain hosts Italy at the Santiago Bernabeu on 2nd September, Saturday in a crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier.

With only one nation set to qualify directly for the World Cup next summer and the second-placed nation in a contention to progress to the play-offs, Spain and Italy are fighting for the honours in the Group G of the UEFA nations.

Both the teams are on sixteen points with four games to play – while Macedonia and Liechtenstein have already been eliminated, the likes of Albania and Israel are unlikely to pose a challenge.

Team News

Spain have a completely healthy squad to choose from, but Giorgio Chiellini was forced to withdraw himself from the Italy side because of an injury.

Spain Possible Starting Lineup: David de Gea, Daniel Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Isco, Sergio Busquets, Iniesta, Pedro, Alvaro Morata, David Silva.

Italy Possible Starting Lineup: Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Conti, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Matteo Darmian, Antonio Candreva, Marco Verratti, Daniele de Rossi, Lorenzo Insigne, Andrea Belotti, Ciro Immobile.

“It will be a tough match because they’re an amazing team, a huge opponent. Spain have to give the best of themselves to get a result. They have a style of play that has been the same with different coaches. They have won all their recent matches, aside from the draw against us.”

– Julen Lopetegui, Spain.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Spain vs Italy H2H Stats, the last five matches between these two nations have resulted in three draws and one win for either side.

The Italian boss Ventura has looked to play a 4-2-4 in recent times, because of the abundance of riches in the attacking department. However, Spain have kept a clean sheet in 6 of their last 7 home matches against Italy in all competitions.

A 1-1 draw is the most likely result.