13th Nov 2017 | International
Azzurri Face Day Of Reckoning
Sweden hold a 1-0 advantage heading to the San Siro. The lack of away goal for Italy could prove pivotal.
It will be a big story if it happens, but I think Italy could be missing out on the World Cup for the first time since 1958. Sweden are a best price evens money to qualify with Bet365 as they take a 1-0 lead into the 2nd leg.
This could be a tie settled by a crucial away goal. If Sweden score at the San Siro then Italy would need three goals to progress; that’s very hard to envisage.
So how likely are Sweden to find the net? Well they scored in 9 out of 10 Group A qualifiers including home and away to France. Meanwhile in Group G, Italy conceded three times in two matches against Macedonia. Spain beat them 3-0 in September.
Under Ventura, the Azzurri are on the cusp of crisis. Even when they kept clean sheets in the last two months, they came in unconvincing 1-0 wins over Israel and Albania. That result would only ensure extra time, maybe penalties on Monday.
Sweden are better than many opponents Italy have laboured against in recent times and can cause a shock.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 09:31 13th Nov, 2017 but subject to change