Norway vs. Italy: WCQ Match Preview, Odds & Prediction

Italy, still reeling from its string of qualifying defeats, will begin its current World Cup campaign in Norway on Friday night, hoping to put an end to its 12-year run of misfortune.

This year's hosts, Norway, have a six-point lead. Therefore, the Azzurri, who have already missed out on back-to-back finals, will need to close the gap if they want to guarantee themselves a spot in next year's tournament.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

Norway leads Group I with a three-point lead, and only one team will advance to the 2026 World Cup. They have secured a strong lead through two matches, defeating Moldova 5-1 and Israel 4-2 in Hungary. Italy will join the fray after competing in the Nations League quarterfinals. If Norway secures second place, they will have another opportunity to qualify via the playoffs.

Norway hasn't attended a major event since Euro 2000 and a World Cup since 1998, but they are hoping to break their drought this time around. However, they have a poor track record when playing Italy in head-to-head matches. Three Italian teams have won, and one has drawn out of four qualifiers between the two teams this century, including their most recent encounter on the route to Euro 2016.

Italy will be desperate to avoid loss on their return to Ullevaal Stadion after their previous visit ended in a 2-0 triumph over eleven years ago. A loss on Friday would be devastating to their chances of avoiding the intense playoffs.

The Azzurri have collapsed under the weight of expectation on two occasions after winning the European Championship and failed to qualify for the World Cup. After a timid withdrawal from the group round in Brazil in 2014, the four-time champions are eager to participate in next summer's international tournament.

Following the replacement of Roberto Mancini, many fans are becoming frustrated with national coach Luciano Spalletti. The team has lost twice since taking over, losing in the Nations League quarterfinals and at Euro 2024.

Norway x Italy Team News

Stale Solbakken will select a settled team for their UEFA qualification camp, which includes a trip to Estonia next Monday. Captain Martin Odegaard has set up four of the team's nine goals, while Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has scored 40 from 41 international appearances. Alexander Sorloth of Atletico Madrid will join them in the final third, with Sander Berge and Patrick Berg in center midfield.

Italy faces a new set of circumstances due to numerous withdrawals, including the loss of midfielder Manuel Locatelli to an ankle injury, and Luciano Spalletti now faces a defensive conundrum.

Veteran Francesco Acerbi of Inter Milan has declined a recall, and Riccardo Calafiori has gone AWOL. Daniele Rugani, who had been on loan at Ajax, made his first appearance for the team in six years. Captain Gianluigi Donnarumma and the other probable starters in the back three have many questions to answer. Napoli's captain, Gianluigi Donnarumma, should be confident after his Champions League victory with Paris Saint-Germain.

Our predictions

Norway to win @ 2.60 on Sky247.ng

The hosts have a chance to earn a key World Cup qualification victory against a developing Norwegian team and a vulnerable Italy. The burden is on the Azzurri to win every game, and they might crumble under the strain, allowing the Norwegians' strong attack to score twice at home.

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