Can Northern Ireland upset Italy's World Cup hopes? Visitors are 19/2 outsiders with Sky Bet to win in Bergamo
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Since their triumph at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Italy’s performances on football’s biggest stage have been underwhelming.
The four-time champions failed to advance past the group stage in both the 2010 and 2014 tournaments, and shockingly, they missed out on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups entirely.
Now, ahead of this summer’s tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, Italy faces another precarious challenge - as they must win their next two matches to secure qualification for 2026's edition.
Can Northern Ireland upset Italy's World Cup hopes? Visitors are 10/1 to win in Bergamo
Their first of those two matches will be against Northern Ireland in Bergamo on Thursday, a fixture they enter as heavy odds-on favourites to win at 2/9.
Conversely, the visitors are 19/2 outsiders to upset the applecart according to Sky Bet.
The winner of Thursday's fixture in Bergamo will face the victor of the match between Wales and Bosnia.
In addition to the head-to-head odds outlined above, Sky Bet are offering four Price Boosts for this highly anticipated contest.
They include Mateo Retegui to have 3+ shots on target at 11/4, Nicolo Barella to commit 3+ fouls at 9/2, Moise Kean to score 2+ goals at 6/1, and each team to have 2+ shots on target in each half at 7/1.
Retegui has registered nine goal contributions in eight qualifiers, while Kean has netted four goals in three appearances throughout the qualifying stage.
Sky Bet odds in Full-time Result market for Italy vs Northern Ireland:
Italy 1/4
Northern Ireland 10/1
Sky Bet Price Boosts for Italy vs Northern Ireland:
Mateo Retegui to have 3+ shots on target WAS 9/4 NOW 11/4
Nicolo Barella to commit 3+ fouls WAS 7/2 NOW 9/2
Moise Kean to score 2+ goals WAS 5/1 NOW 6/1
Each team to have 2+ shots on target in each half WAS 6/1 NOW 7/1
- All odds are correct at the time of publication
