International Football News, National Soccer Teams, Previews International football in bite-size pieces
Related Articles
Kick-off: 6 September @ 19:45 CET
Venue: Stadio Renzo Barbera (Palermo, Italy)
Past meetings
Bulgaria v Italy 2-2 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Italy v Bulgaria 1-0 (2014 World Cup qualifier)
Bulgaria v Italy 2-2 (2014 World Cup qualifier)
Italy v Bulgaria 2-0 (2010 World Cup qualifier)
Bulgaria v Italy 0-0 (2010 World Cup qualifier)
Last 5 matches:
Bulgaria v Italy 2-2 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Italy v England 1-1 (International friendly)
Croatia v Italy 1-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Italy v Portugal 0-1 (International friendly)
Italy v Malta 1-0 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Team News:
Manolo Gabbiadini has shaken off a minor knock he sustained in the narrow win over Italy that saw the Azzurri climb to the top of Group H, even if they are now just one and two points clear of Croatia and Norway respectively.
However, AC Milan hotshot Andrea Bertolacci (4/0) has returned home after suffering an injury on Thursday, but Antonio Conte opted against calling a replacement for the former Genoa star.
Antonio Conte will reportedly revert to a 3-5-2 formation following a disappointing performance against Malta, with Andrea Barzagli (51/0) and Antonio Candreva (30/2) among those drafted into the starting line-up and Andrea Pirlo unlikely to play the second game in the space of three days.
Players to watch: Graziano Pelle, Antonio Candreva.
Probable starting line-up (3-5-2): Buffon – Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini – Candreva, De Rossi, Soriano, Verratti, Pasqual – Vazquez, Pelle.
Bulgaria
Last 5 matches:
Romania v Bulgaria 0-0 (International friendly)
Bulgaria v Italy 2-2 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Turkey v Bulgaria 4-0 (International friendly)
Malta v Bulgaria 0-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Bulgaria v Norway 0-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Team News:
Bulgaria made a real mess out of their campaign by losing at home to Norway, meaning that anything but a win in Palermo will see them virtually lose all chances to make it to the tournament finals.
First-choice goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov (31/0) continues to miss out through a stomach virus, but FK Partizan Belgrade striker Valeri Bojinov (43/6) has recovered from an ankle problem and travelled to Sicily with the rest of the squad.
With second-choice keeper Vladislav Stoyanov also sidelined, Sheriff Tiraspol shot-stopper Bozhidar Mitrev (3/0) will continue in goal.
Players to watch: Ivelin Popov, Georgi Milanov.
Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Mitrev – Bandalovski, A. Aleksandrov, Bodurov, Y. Minev – Dyakov, Chochev – Manolev, Popov, Milanov – Mitsanski.
Italy v Bulgaria betting odds & tips
*Even if Italy have been disappointing of late, they did win all four home matches against Bulgaria, and another home win pays 1.45 (9/20).
*Bulgaria have now failed to score in three of last four matches, so bear in mind that the Azzurri are 2.05 (21/20) to win to nil.
*Having scored three goals in five appearances for the national team, including the winner vs Malta, Graziano Pelle is 2.70 (17/10) to score against Bulgaria.
