2:45 pm
October 14

Italy @ Poland

What will be the match result?

Italy: Win

@ Poland: Win or Draw

 

Recent Results:

Italy: 0-3-2

Poland: 1-2-2

 

Current odds:

Italy: Win: (+140)

Poland: Win or Draw: (-175)

 

• Federico Bernardeschi got the call to lead the line against Ukraine last week and scored the opener in that game, so Ciro Immobile may have to make do with a place on the bench once more. Despite another game without a win, drawing 1-1 against Andriy Shevchenko’s side, Roberto Mancini knows that he needs to settle on a favoured lineup and style sooner or later so changes may be kept to a minimum. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Roberto Gagliardini are among those hoping to come into the midfield at the expense of debutant Nicolo Barella.

• Lukasz Fabianski continued to get the nod over Wojciech Szczesny against Portugal last time out, with new coach Jerzy Brzeczek favouring the West Ham keeper thus far. Bartosz Bereszynski was replaced at half-time on Thursday and Tomasz Kedziora may get the nod at right-back in the battle to take over from the retired Lukasz Piszczek. Jakub Blaszczykowski scored from the bench in the 3-2 defeat and may start, with the in-form Krzysztof Piatek continuing to partner Robert Lewandowski having opened the scoring, and his international account in the process.

• Both of these sides are locked on a point apiece after two games and defeat for either would end any slim hopes of topping the group, with Portugal having picked up maximum points so far.

• Normally all eyes would be on captain Robert Lewandowski for the hosts, but the Bayern man is without a goal in five, while Krzysztof Piatek is on fire right now and will come up against familiar opposition having made a ligh work of Serie A so far since signing for Genoa.

• It’s difficult to separate these two teams, particularly given Poland’s home advantage, so we could see a draw that would end either team’s hopes of catching Portugal at the top of the group.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Poland: Win or Draw
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