Big Match Breakdown: Italy v Ukraine

Preview, odds and tips for friendly clash   

Italy will be looking to return to winning ways when they host Ukraine in Genoa tonight. Roberto Mancini’s men have chalked up just a single victory in their last nine outings – a 2-1 success over 71^st ranked Saudi Arabia in May.

Can they pick up a much needed win against Andriy Yarmolenko and co. on Sky Sports Main Event from 7:45pm? The Coral News Team have previewed the clash with a Big Match Breakdown.

Head-to-Head

Ukraine will smell blood given Italy’s wretched run. But the visitors will have to overcome a dismal head-to-head record if they’re to take anything from this match. Gli Azzurri have won six of the nations’ seven meetings in all competitions – save a 0-0 draw in 2006.

Giuseppe Rossi and Alessandro Matri netted a goal apiece in a 2-0 triumph for Italy when the countries last met back in 2011.

Likely XIs

Mancini is expected to name a strong side, with Jorginho, Giorgio Chiellini, Marco Verratti and Ciro Immobile all set to feature. Alessio Romagnoli, Danilo D’Ambrosio, Simone Zaza and Patrick Cutrone are all unavailable after withdrawing from the squad. Federico Bernardeschi could be deployed as a false nine to counter Italy’s goalscoring problems.

The visitors should also have a number of familiar names on show, with Yarmolenko and Schalke 04 star Yevhen Konoplyanka likely to cause problems on either wing. Manchester City star Oleksandr Zinchenko could be handed a midfield berth, with Andriy Shevchenko set to name a strong XI in Genoa.

Key Battles

Azzurri fans will be hoping their side displays more attacking intent than they did against Portugal and Poland recently. So Mancini’s decision to try a false nine looks positive.