Italy visit Azerbaijan today and could clinch a place at Euro 2016, but the hosts are unbeaten in four games.
It kicks off in Baku at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) and the Azzurri currently top Group H on 18 points, followed by Norway on 16 and Croatia 14.
Azerbaijan only have six, but are on a four-game unbeaten streak since Robert Prosinecki was appointed Coach, so Antonio Conte warned they are not to be underestimated.
Italy visit Azerbaijan today and could clinch a place at Euro 2016, but the hosts are unbeaten in four games.
It kicks off in Baku at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) and the Azzurri currently top Group H on 18 points, followed by Norway on 16 and Croatia 14.
Azerbaijan only have six, but are on a four-game unbeaten streak since Robert Prosinecki was appointed Coach, so Antonio Conte warned they are not to be underestimated.
Andrea Pirlo and Lorenzo Insigne were ruled out with injury, although the New York City FC midfielder could still feature against Norway on Tuesday, and Daniele De Rossi begins a two-match ban.
Conte has been testing out a very attacking 4-4-2 system in training this week with Southampton striker Graziano Pellè and Eder of Sampdoria up front.
Another option would be the 4-3-3, in which case Antonio Candreva challenges Eder for the right flank, while Stephan El Shaarawy and Sebastian Giovinco are in line for the left.
If it’s a four-man midfield, then Candreva and El Shaarawy are still in the running to start with Roma starlet Alessandro Florenzi and Marco Parolo of Lazio.
Pirlo’s absence suggests Marco Verratti will be in the XI.
There seem few doubts over the defence with Matteo Darmian, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Mattia De Sciglio.
The last time Italy faced Azerbaijan, Chiellini registered an unusual record by scoring all three goals in a 2-1 victory.
The Nazionale are unbeaten in 48 qualifiers for major tournaments, winning 37, since a 3-1 defeat to France in September 2006.
Azerbaijan (probable): K Agayev; Medvedev, Huseynov, R F Sadygov, Dashdemirov; Garayev; Ismayilov, Nazarov, Amirguliyev, Israfilov; R Gurbanov
Italy (probable): Buffon; Darmian, Bonucci, Chiellini, De Sciglio; Candreva, Verratti, Parolo, El Shaarawy; Pellè, Eder
Ref: Collum (SCO)