Italy will welcome Switzerland to Rome this Friday as both sides battle for supremacy in their World Cup qualifying Group.
Venue: Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
Key Statistics
Italy have lost just once in the last 38 games.
They have failed to score only once in their last 21 games.
In the World Cup qualifying round this campaign, Italy have scored just twelve goals and conceded just once.
Roberto Mancini‘s side are unbeaten in this World Cup qualifiers campaign.
Switzerland have kept five straight clean sheets in WCQ, while manager Yakin is yet to see his side concede a competitive goal.
They are also unbeaten in this year’s WCQ campaign and have scored ten goals while also conceding once.
Head to head
In the 20 head-to-head meetings between both sides, Italy have won seven times while Switzerland have managed four wins in that period (9). But the Azzuri have a better record in recent times as they are unbeaten against Switzerland in the last eight head-to-head meetings (W3, D5).
Latest Performances in all competitions
Italy: W-L-W-D-D
Switzerland: W-W-D-D-W
Italy
After missing out on the UEFA Nations League trophy, Italy will turn their attention to World Cup qualification as they welcome Switzerland to the famed Stadio Olimpico.
The hosts who were unable to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia are almost guaranteed a place in the finals in Qatar after winning four of their opening six games (D2).
They enter this tie top of the group but must finish top to book an automatic place in the next round.
Roberto Mancini’s men are level on points with Switzerland but have a richer goal difference.
A draw will also be enough to guarantee Italy top spot. However, they will be desperate to win this game and avoid having to go into the last game under pressure to win big.
Meanwhile, Mancini will be without Roma midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo and Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini, while Lazio striker Ciro Immobile is out injured as well.
Captain Giorgio Chiellini was unable to shake off a thigh injury on time to be named in the squad while Marco Verratti is also unavailable after suffering a hip injury during PSG’s game against Marseille at the end of October.
Possible Italy starting line-ups
Gianluigi Donnarumma, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Leonardo Bonucci, Alessandro Bastoni, Emerson, Nicolo Barella, Manuel Locatelli, Sandro Tonali, Federico Chiesa, Andrea Belotti, Lorenzo Insigne
Switzerland
New Switzerland coach Murat Yakin will look to continue his unbeaten start to his Switzerland reign when he takes his side to Rome to face Italy.
The former Basel coach has overseen three wins and tow draws since he replaced Vladimir Petkovic after the 2020 Euros.
His side have proven difficult to break down in those five matches and are entering this tie with momentum on their side.
The Red Crosses are sitting in second place and have the opportunity to go top if they can pick up all three points in this tie. With a squad that is brimming with talent and confidence, they will look to win this game and book their place in Qatar next year.
However, injuries to key players such as Borussia Dortmund’s goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, Borussia Monchengladbach’s duo Breel Embolo and Nico Elvedi, and winger Steven Zuber will be a source of worry for Yakin, who will be desperate to continue his unbeaten start as Switzerland manager.
Possible Switzerland starting line-ups
Yann Sommer, Silvan Widmer, Fabian Schar, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez, Remo Freuler, Denis Zakaria, Renato Steffen, Xherdan Shaqiri, Ruben Vargas, Mario Gavranovic.
Prediction
Italy 0-0 Switzerland
