Pragmatist Prandelli must narrow down Italy World Cup picks

If those sent to Florence for assessment are anything to go by, the third-choice keeper is wide open. Genoa’s uncapped Mattia Perin was included in the last squad back in March, and fellow youngsters Simone Scuffet (Udinese) and Francesco Bardi (Livorno) are in with a shout.

Should Prandelli want a more experienced option, then Antonio Mirante (Parma) would fit the bill nicely. Federico Marchetti (Lazio) may have been ditched, despite earning 11 caps.

In defence, Juventus trio Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini will be key to keeping opposing attackers out. Used as a back three by Antonio Conte, they have been the bedrock of the Old Lady’s three straight Serie A titles.

Cagliari centre back Davide Astori should go as backup, but Argentine-born Gabriel Paletta (Parma), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan) and Angelo Ogbonna (Juventus) could all be included.

Napoli right wing back Christian Maggio is a doubt, however, after needing surgery on his lungs. AC Milan pair Ignazio Abate and Mattia De Sciglio are more than capable of deputising as attacking outlets.

Manuel Pasqual (Fiorentina) and Lorenzo De Silvestri (Sampdoria) could also provide cover for the full back berths. In midfield, Azzurri mainstays like Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Riccardo Montolivo (AC Milan) and Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina) should all be selected alongside Motta and Verratti.

That will be supplemented by more versatile players like Giaccherini, Alessandro Florenzi (Roma) and Antonio Candreva (Lazio). Outsiders Andrea Poli (AC Milan), Marco Parolo (Parma) and Giacomo Bonaventura (Atalanta) have their work cut out for them to make it in.

Prandelli also had a whole host of uncapped players assessed, but realistically it will take major injuries for anyone else to break onto his final roster. Candreva, Florenzi and Giaccherini are all genuine wide options for Italy, and that is something the current coach is keen on having.

We, thus, may also see the likes of Alessio Cerci (Torino) and Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli) included. Up front, Prandelli has to decide on the right blend of youth, experience and enigmas.

Mario Balotelli (33/1 to be leading marksman) will surely go as first-choice striker, despite more antics and controversy in what has been a difficult season at Milan, because he was top scorer for Italy in qualifying with five. Genoa’s Alberto Gilardino (66/1), meanwhile, is an older option Prandelli has clearly been keen on.

Destro and the unfortunately named Ciro Immobile (Torino) should be in with a shout of going – especially the latter, who is top of Serie A’s scoring charts this term. Prandelli has a big call to make over Fiorentina favourite and former Manchester United frontman Giuseppe Rossi.

Injuries have wrecked his career, but his latest comeback came off the bench in the Coppa Italia final loss to Napoli. How fit Rossi would be, if taken to the World Cup finals, remains to be seen. A similar decision needs to be made about Milan’s Stephan El Shaarawy.

Antonio Cassano (Parma) is targeting a last hurrah, but has been a divisive presence in the past. Pablo Daniel Osvaldo (on loan from Southampton at Juventus) netted four en route to Brazil, so will expect to be included.

Italy, who are four-time World Cup winners, are the 13/8 favourites to top Group D, which also contains England, Uruguay and Costa Rica. They are odds-on to make the last 16 at 4/9 too.

The Azzurri look good value at 11/4 to reach the quarter-finals and be knocked out there – potentially by hosts Brazil or holders Spain again.