Northern Ireland vs Italy Predictions

• Northern Ireland have failed to score in four of their seven group games
• The hosts have struggled in this campaign following the departure of Michael O’Neill
• Italy have kept a clean sheet in five of their seven matches in qualifying

Pressure on Mancini’s men

Italy could only draw with Switzerland on Friday night, leaving the European champions in a worrying position ahead of their final group game. Anything shy of a win in Belfast would allow the Swiss to leap into the group’s only automatic qualification place. Can the Ulstermen make the visitors panic?

Northern Ireland have failed to really threaten in this campaign, with their 1-0 win over Lithuania on Friday coming in spite of having nothing to play for in this month’s fixtures. This has been a step down on the previous three campaigns, which brought two play-off defeats and a place at Euro 2016.

Northern Ireland lacking goals

Northern Ireland are struggling to match the standard of Michael O’Neill’s reign and they aren’t really threatening against the top sides they meet. They’ve failed to score in four of seven qualifiers, including all three meetings with the top two.

We know Italy have an impressive defence, despite conceding across meetings with Spain, Belgium and Switzerland across their last three matches. The visitors have kept five clean sheets in seven games in this group, so they’re good value to secure another win and to hold this Northern Ireland side at bay.