Group C - Tricky ties await new-look Italy
Italy finally earned their first victories of 2010 last month to take an early lead in Group C but there's no danger of new boss Cesare Prandelli getting carried away by a come-from-behind win away to Estonia and a 5-0 triumph over the pointless Faroe Islands.
Far more will be learned about how Italy are shaping up under the former Fiorentina tactician over the next eight days when they travel to Belfast to face Northern Ireland, who are buoyed by a fantastic start away to Slovenia, and then host Serbia.
Prandelli has again been adventurous in his squad selection, with five uncapped players selected and 11 with five or fewer, while there have been recalls for in-form 30-somethings Gianluca Zambrotta and Stefano Mauri, the latter having played a major role in Lazio's climb to the top of Serie A.
Our hunch is that with Italy yet to be properly tested in competitive action since their disastrous World Cup, they could be severely challenged by a Northern Ireland side beaten in only one of their last ten home qualifiers, making the Azzurri's lay price of [1.8] hugely tempting.
Serbia and Slovenia, who both have reasons to be disappointed with their openings - Serbia for drawing at home to the latter, Slovenia for their shock loss to Nigel Worthington's men - should take advantage of the points spilled by their at least one of their two biggest rivals for a top-two finish.
They host Estonia and Faroe Islands respectively in matches that they are overwhelming [1.22] and [1.07] favourites to take three points apiece from. Both nations remain ahead of surprisingly strong Northern Ireland ([11.0]) in the group winner betting, with Italy still clear [1.36] frontrunners.
Got any predictions for how this group will pan out? Tell us below...
Published: 5 Oct 2010
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