Northern Ireland v Italy: Pressure on Azzurri in final game

However, if you fancy the Italians to get back to their resolute best, they can be backed at 20/23 to win to nil, while a #YourCall punt on Italy to win either half, keep a clean sheet and score over 1.5 goals in the match comes in at 11/8 in the Northern Ireland v Italy betting tips.

Northern Ireland v Italy head-to-head

The hosts’ only victory over Italy was back in 1958 and recent history does not read kindly for the Green And White Army.

Although they managed to hold the Azzurri to a 0-0 draw here at Windsor Park in 2010, the last two encounters have seen Italy win to nil.

It finished 2-0 to the Italians when they met in Parma in March and a repeat of that scoreline is available at 9/2. Both goals came in the first half on that occasion and it is 3/4 for Italy to win the first 45.

Northern Ireland v Italy key battles

Playing against the Italians is always as big a test of the mind as it is skill and ability, with the Azzurri astute game managers accustomed to outwitting their opponents.

Mancini’s side have developed a winning culture and it will be hard for Northern Ireland to record a shock victory here.

Front man Ciro Immobile already has 10 goals for Lazio in Serie A this season and is sure to be central to the Azzurri putting Bailey Peacock-Farrell’s goal under pressure.

The Sheffield Wednesday shot-stopper has been one of the standouts of Northern Ireland’s qualification campaign and is likely to have to be at his best once again here.

If Peacock-Farrell excels then 11/4 for a single Italy goal is a possibility, but if Italy get on a roll then over 2.5 at 6/5 would appeal as Italy look to seal World Cup qualification in our Northern Ireland v Italy betting tips.

View the latest World Cup qualifying odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication