MX23RW : Saturday, March 22 01:06:19| >> :120:12606:12606:

Preview: Group C - Italy vs. Republic of Ireland

Preview: Group C - Italy vs. ROI
© PA Photos
Italy need to win against an already-eliminated Republic of Ireland to have any chance of progressing to the knockout stages of Euro 2012. Sports Mole previews the encounter.

Republic of Ireland may have already been eliminated from Euro 2012 but their final Group C opponents Italy have it all to play for.

Two defeats out of two have left Giovanni Trapattoni's side bottom of the group with just pride at stake as a number of his players will play in major international tournament spotlight for what is probably the very last time.

However, for the Azzurri it is simply a must-win game as they look to advance into the last eight of the competition.

It's not all entirely simple for the Italians though as a draw in the other group match between holders Spain and Croatia would see both those sides qualify for the quarter-finals.

The Italians must hope that there is a clear winner in that game and that they can triumph over Ireland themselves. Anything else is just not good enough for the 2006 World Cup winners.

As for team news itself, Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli could be rested for the game after limping out of training with a knee injury, with Antonio Di Natale ready to lead the line.

Defender Andrea Barzagli is expected to be fit for the clash after sitting out their opening two matches with a calf problem.

For Ireland, Fulham winger Damien Duff is set to captain his country as he earns his 100th cap.

Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Kevin Doyle is also expecting to start at the expense of Simon Cox in Trapattoni's only change.

Recent form:

Italy: WLLLDD
ROI: DDDWDLL

Possible starting XIs:

Italy: Buffon; Chiellini, De Rossi, Bonucci; Ciaccherni, Marchisio, Pirlo, Thiago Motta, Maggio; Di Natale, Cassano

ROI: Given; O'Shea, Dunne, St Ledger, Ward; Duff, Andrews, Whelan, McGeady; Keane, Doyle

Sports Mole says: 2-1

ID:31269: cacheID:31269:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3816:
Written by
Matt Cotton
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Andres Iniesta, Keith Andrews
Read Next:
Houghton defends Ireland, slams Keane
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal291610353242958
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest29166749351454
4Chelsea29147853371649
5Manchester CityMan City29146955401548
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29121164842647
8Fulham2912984338545
9Aston Villa2912984145-445
10Bournemouth29128948361244
11Brentford29125125045541
12Crystal Palace2810993633339
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd29107123740-337
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs291041555431234
15Everton2971393236-434
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2997133349-1634
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2975174058-1826
18Ipswich TownIpswich2938182862-3417
19Leicester CityLeicester2945202565-4017
20Southampton2923242170-499


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!