Sweden vs Italy
Two nations with real pedigree, this could easily be one of the football games to grace the knockout stages of a major tournament rather than a key World Cup playoff.
The betting odds lean towards the Italians, and that is no surprise. After all, the Azurri have been four-time world champions in their proud history.
However, judging by the options, Italy are priced Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.35, 1X2 Italy @ 2.32, 1X2 Sweden @ 3.05 – there won’t be too much in it.
When they met as recently as Euro 2016, it was proven when Italy edged out the Swedes by a solitary goal.
While the Scandinavians’ talisman, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has since retired from the international scene, Italy could be just about to lose their much-loved statesman as well.
For if they fail to reach Russia 2018, the legendary Gigi Buffon will not get the swansong on the grand stage many feel he deserves.
The final qualifying hurdle for a fairly young team under Gian Piero Ventura features new faces, a prolific frontman in Andrea Belotti (if he is fully fit after injury) and the resolute BBC backline of Buffon, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini – no longer together at Juventus of course.
The latter is one of four Italian players who will miss the second leg should they be cautioned in Stockholm.
Italy do not go into this, however, in good form.
After being brushed aside by Spain in September, which all but consigned them to the second spot in their qualifying group, Italy have only just seen off Israel and Albania and were held by Macedonia.
Perhaps they didn’t need to be at their best, given they were destined for the playoffs. But now, at both the Friends Arena and the San Siro three days later, they certainly do.
If Italy had Spain to contend with in qualifying, Sweden had both France (who topped their group) and Holland to see off – edging the Dutch out on goal difference.
Andreas Granqvist will skipper the side with Victor Lindelof and Martin Olsson providing defensive fortitude and the creative attacking hopes on the shoulders of the likes of Emil Forsberg and Marcus Berg.
Their coach, Janne Andersson, says they are ‘winners’ just reaching the playoffs but can beat any nation on their day. And after seeing off France in qualifying, Italy simply cannot underestimate them.
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
