Cesare Prandelli is expected to field Italy in a 3-5-2 against Uruguay today, but there are slight variations on who may partner Mario Balotelli.

The Azzurri face off against the South Americans in Natal at 1pm Brazilian time for a chance to advance from Group D of the World Cup.

Cesare Prandelli is expected to field Italy in a 3-5-2 against Uruguay today, but there are slight variations on who may partner Mario Balotelli.

The Azzurri face off against the South Americans in Natal at 1pm Brazilian time for a chance to advance from Group D of the World Cup.

Whilst a win or a draw will play in Italy’s favour, they are still speculated as ready to change formation for today’s match.

Juventus’ backline of Gigi Buffon in goal and Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli in defence are expected to start, whilst midfield will see Claudio Marchisio move central and Marco Verratti return, in place of Thiago Motta and the injured Daniele De Rossi respectively.

They will be based alongside Andrea Pirlo and flanked on the wings by Matteo Darmian and the fit against Mattia De Sciglio.

Ciro Immobile is generally expected to start alongside Mario Balotelli, but Antonio Cassano has also been tested in recent training alongside the Milan man. Another hypothesis has also emerged, that Prandelli may still run with Antonio Candreva alongside Balotelli, in a more support-based role.

Meanwhile, Oscar Tabarez is expected to once more be able to count on Luis Suarez from the start, after his return against England last week, and he will be partnered by Edinson Cavani.

It is anticipated that La Celeste will run with the same team that defeated Roy Hodgson’s men, meaning a diamond shape midfield.

Probable line-ups

Italia (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Darmian, Marchisio, Pirlo, Verratti, De Sciglio; Immobile, Balotelli.

Uruguay (4-4-2): Muslera; Caceres, Godin, Gimenez, Pereira; Alvaro Gonzalez, Rios, Rodriguez, Lodeiro; Cavani, Suarez

Byrob

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