European Giants Italy and Spain meet in FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Spain and Italy are set to play each other on Saturday night in the World Cup Qualifiers. Both teams will be looking for three points.

Kick -off : 8:45 PM (Local)

Venue : Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

Referee : Bjorn Kuipers

Both teams will be looking to get the upper hand in their World Cup qualifying group. Times have changed and Spain have found worry’s as due to the retirement of Vicente del Bosque as well as ageing of players like Iniesta and Ramos.

However in Julen Lopetegui, they have got a similar coach and the senior players continue to dominate. Add to that the newcomers like Asensio and Alvaro Morata and the future looks bright for Spain.

Both teams should qualify for next year’s World Cup but Spain have been tested in this qualification campaign. They drew with Italy away.

Italy doesn’t have any star quality up front but have a solid defense. They will be tested against Spain though, who have scored at home in all their games in recent times.

I expect it to be a good game on Saturday night.

Team news and possible line-ups

Veteran striker David Villa has been recalled to the Spain squad. While Lucas Vasquez gets a chance in place of injured Vitolo.

Sergio Ramos will captain Spain against Italy. Alvaro Morata is expected to start with Pedro and Gerard Deulofeu up front.

As for Italy, Buffon captains them for his 170th international appearances.

Italian defense will include Chiellini, Barzagli and Bonucci. While Andrea Belloti is expected to start for Azzurri.

Spain XI : De Gea, Ramos, Pique, Monreal, Alba, Busquets, Iniesta, Isco, Pedro, Deulofeu, Morata.

Italy XI : Buffon, Chiellini, Barzagli, Bonucci, Candreva, Spinazzola, De Rossi, Montolivo, Immobile, Eder, Belloti.

Prediction

I think it will be a draw. It might end 1-1.