Italy's qualification to the Euro 2016 finals in France is not secure just yet as they prepare to take on Azerbaijan in their Group H clash in Baku this Saturday.

Azerbaijan have nothing to play for as they reside fifth in the table, but they could hamper Italy's chances given that they are unbeaten in their last four qualifiers.

Azerbaijan

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With no chance of qualification, there is no pressure on Azerbaijan to pick up a point against their Italian opponents, which allows them freedom on the pitch.

In terms of this campaign, it has been difficult for the nation as they have faced Italy, Norway, Croatia, Bulgaria and Malta, picking up just the one victory out of eight games so far.

Overall, they have lost four times in the qualifying stage, but they have gained three draws and are unbeaten in their last four matches, which could pose an issue for Italy.

The positive change for Azerbaijan has been the appointment of new head coach Robert Prosinecki, who took over in December last year on a two-year deal, replacing Berti Vogts.

Since his arrival, the team have secured one victory and drawn three qualifiers in the campaign, suggesting that Italy may find it more challenging than some predict to get a result.

As this tournament is filled with elite European talent, Azerbaijan regularly struggle in the qualifying stage, and they have never managed to progress into the finals.

Recent form: LLWDDD
Recent form (all competitions): LWLDDD

Italy

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Italy are no strangers to this stage of the European Championships, given that they have one title under their belts and have finished as runners-up twice in the last four tournaments.

The Azzurri were just one win away from claiming their second European crown four years ago, but they could not get past Spain, who were dominating the global stage with their impressive pass-and-move style.

Italy succumbed to a 4-0 defeat in the final, and they will be hoping that they do not fall short again next summer, but they still need to book their seat on the plane to Paris.

Antonio Conte's side are currently two points above second-placed Norway, whom they will face in their final Group H qualifier next week, so if they fail to get a victory over Azerbaijan, they still have a chance to top the group in their closing fixture.

It has been a positive spell for the Italians as they have gone unbeaten in their last 48 matches following 37 victories and 11 draws, but they have struggled for maximum points in their last few trips on the road.

Italy have dropped points in their last two away qualifiers as they could only draw 2-2 with Bulgaria and later recorded a 1-1 draw with Italy.

Goals have also been hard to come by for the Azzurri, but they have kept to their traditional defensive displays as just under 2.5 goals have been scored in five of their last six Euro fixtures.

Recent form: WDDDWW
Recent form (all competitions): DDDLWW

Team News

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The hosts have a clean bill of health heading into this weekend's game, with captain Rasad Sadiqov expected to win his 100th international cap.

Ruslan Qurbanov is likely to spearhead Azerbaijan's attack, while Gara Garayev will keep things ticking in the middle of the park in a 4-1-4-1 formation.

The visitors will be without Daniele de Rossi as he begins serving a two-match ban, while Lorenzo Insigne is also missing as he has been forced to withdraw from the squad with a knee injury that he suffered in training.

Southampton's Graziano Pelle is likely to provide the goal threat for Italy after scoring five Premier League goals for the Saints so far this season.

Alessandro Florenzi is expected to start the match at right-back, meaning that Manchester United's Matteo Darmian is likely to start on the left side, with Andrea Pirlo orchestrating play from midfield.

Azerbaijan possible starting lineup:
Aghayev; Dasdamirov, Huseynov, Sadiqov, Medvedev; Garayev; Mammadv, Amirgurliyev, Nazarov, Ismayilov; Qurbanov

Italy possible starting lineup:
Buffon; Darmian, Chiellini, Bonucci, Florenzi; Verratti, Pirlo, Bertalocci; Eder, Pelle, Candreva

Head To Head

Italy already have an advantage over Azerbaijan, having beaten them 2-1 in Palermo thanks to a brace from Georgio Chiellini, who was also unfortunate to score an own goal in the match.

Chiellini's goal will go down as Azerbaijan's first senior goal against the Italians as the Azzurri secured a 2-0 win and 4-0 triumph in Baku and Reggio Calabria respectively during the pair's meetings in the Euro 2004 qualifying campaign.

While goals have been lacking for Italy of late, they can be boosted by the fact that they have netted at least two in their last three fixtures against Azerbaijan in all competitions.

We say: Azerbaijan 0-2 Italy

Azerbaijan may be unbeaten in their last four European fixtures, but with qualification to the finals in sight, Italy are likely to have enough quality in the team to get a victory and therefore book their place in Paris. With Graziano Pelle in positive goalscoring form, the forward could get on the scoresheet for his nation.

Written by
Danielle Joynson

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