In the 6th stage of the group B for the preliminaries of the World Championship, in Brazil 2014, Czech Republic will play on their own field against Italy, staring tonight with the hours of 21:45. The two teams have met last time in 2006, when Italy has won with a score of 2-0 at the World Championship, in Germany. This was the first victory after three matches in which the Czechs have won twice and replayed once. Now, the bookmakers place Italy as being favorite for a success.
The Czech Republic lays on the third position in the rank, two points away from the place occupied by Bulgaria and at five from the leader, Italy. The Czechs have one played game less than the Bulgarians and they can advance on the second place if they win this duel. The Czech Republic was defeated in this kind championships only by Denmark with a score of 3-0 on their own field. Until now, the Czechs have a pretty good goal average, with six goals marked and four received. In three of the last four matches played by the Czech Republic, there is a minimum of three goals scored. At the beginning of the year, Czech Republic has succeeded to make a victory against Turkey with a score of 2-0, in a friendly match. At the last match played, the hosts of this game won with a score of 3-0 against Armenia. Matej Vydra will play directly in the match, after scoring twice in that meeting. Cech will reach the 101 selection for the representative of the Czech Republic and it does not stand far from the record of Karel Poborksy with 118 matches played. Darida will play in the middle line of the field alongside with three experienced players, Hubschman, Plasil si Rosicky.
Italy, most surely, will qualify on the first place if she succeeds in obtaining all the three points of this match. They have imposed themselves in the last four matches played in this group and have only replayed once against Bulgaria, with a score of 2-2, played away. In the matches played by Italy, in this particular group, there is an average of 3.2 goals scored per match. The Italians have an average of two goals scored on adverse pitch, all for the World Championship from 2014, that will be held in Brazil. At the beginning of the year, the Italians have played two hard friendly matches against Holland and Brazil, that ended at a tie, 1-1 and 2-2. Last week, in a checkup game, Italy has won with a score of 4-0 against San Marino. El Shaarawy and Antonio Barzagli are expected to play directly in this match, considering the fact that they have missed the game against San Marino. In the offensive line, Cerci will play alongside with the players Milan Balotelli and El Shaarawy. At the middle of the filed, near Pirlo will play De Rossi and Marchisio. Luca Antonelli has suffered an accident and he will not be used for this match. In the FIFA rank, Italy lays on the 8th place while her adversary is on the 24th.
The Czech Republic vs Italy probable players:
The Czech Republic : Čech – Selassie • Sivok • Kadlec • Limberský – Darida • Hübschman • Plašil • Rosický – Lafata • Vydra
Italy : Buffon – Abate • Barzagli • Bonucci • Chiellini – Marchisio • Rossi • Pirlo –Cerci • Balotelli • Shaarawy
Sport betting odds for the Czech Republic vs Italy :
Final outcome: 3.60 3.20 2.10
Total number of goals (more/less 2.5): 2.35 1.75
Considering the way Caesare Prandelli will make up the team, there are pretty good odds for the Italians to win this match. In the center of the defensive will be placed three players from Juventus, the champion of Italy, they playing very good together and if we add Buffon, then all the defensive players are coming from Juventus, excepting Abate, that comes from Milan. The Czech Republic is not that strong anymore and this fact was observed during the match against Denmark.