Eder and Daniele De Rossi are tipped to start for Italy against Belgium on Monday night, while Stephan El Shaarawy is in the balance.
The Azzurri begin their Euro 2016 campaign in Lyon tomorrow evening at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
Antonio Conte kept the squad under wraps during their training sessions yesterday, going so far as to ensure there were barbed wire fences to avoid anyone peeking in.
This has led to a great deal of speculation around who will be in the starting XI, as while the defence is a lock, the attack and midfield are up in the air.
Eder and Daniele De Rossi are tipped to start for Italy against Belgium on Monday night, while Stephan El Shaarawy is in the balance.
The Azzurri begin their Euro 2016 campaign in Lyon tomorrow evening at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
Antonio Conte kept the squad under wraps during their training sessions yesterday, going so far as to ensure there were barbed wire fences to avoid anyone peeking in.
This has led to a great deal of speculation around who will be in the starting XI, as while the defence is a lock, the attack and midfield are up in the air.
Conte suggested his 3-5-2 formation will not change, though it can be more attack-minded or defensive depending on personnel.
According to the latest reports, Inter striker Eder is surging up the pecking order despite many feeling he shouldn’t have been in the 23-man squad at all.
He scored just one Serie A goal since leaving Sampdoria in January, but it’s rumoured his fitness levels have improved considerably over the past couple of weeks.
If Eder does start, he is likely to partner Graziano Pellè, a pairing that was already used many times in qualifying.
Simone Zaza had been a contender to feature alongside the Southampton striker, but now seems more of an option off the bench.
In midfield, De Rossi has impressed Conte enough to leapfrog Thiago Motta in the race for that central midfield spot, where he’ll likely be flanked by Marco Parolo and Emanuele Giaccherini.
Antonio Candreva seems certain for the right flank, but doubts are emerging on the left.
El Shaarawy has been on sparkling form for Roma, although Matteo Darmian is emerging as an alternative if Conte wants to be more defensive against the all-attack Belgium.
As for Marc Wilmots, Eden Hazard is not believed to be at risk despite limping out of training on Friday with a knock to the foot.
The main issue is whether Napoli winger Dries Mertens starts for a more attacking approach or Marouane Fellaini to bolster the midfield.
Belgium have shown problems in defence, conceding in each of their last seven games, and are struggling since Vincent Kompany’s injury ruled him out of the tournament.
Belgium (probable): Courtois; Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Denayer, Vertonghen; Nainggolan, Fellaini, Witsel; De Bruyne, Lukaku, Hazard
Italy (probable): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Candreva, Parolo, De Rossi, Giaccherini, Darmian (El Shaarawy); Eder (Zaza), Pellè
Ref: Clattenburg (ENG)