Italy playing for a place in Qatar
Hello everyone and welcome along to this Northern Ireland vs Italy live blog. Italy need a win to hope have any hope of finishing top in World Cup Qualification Group C. Italy lead Switzerland in the group standings only on goal difference - two goals - so likely need to win in Belfast and hope that Switzerland don't rout Bulgaria in the other group match, in order to book their place in Qatar 2022.
We'll have updates from the Windsor Park in this live blog, so follow along with us this Monday evening.
Northern Ireland vs Italy LIVE - Latest updates
This is the very start of our Northern Ireland vs Italy live blog, with the entries nearest the top the most recent ones. We'll have build-up news and then minute-by-minute updates too.
Kick off!
We are underway at Windsor Park. Italy are playing for a place in Qatar with one eye being kept on Switzerland's game against Bulgaria.
Northern Ireland vs Italy: Official line-ups
Northern Ireland make three changes to the team that beat Lithuania. While Italy have a defensive partnership of Bonucci and Acerbi, while Tonali replaces Verratti in midfield.
19:10 GMT: Italy against Switzerland
While Italy may be at Windsor Park to take on Northern Ireland, in reality the Azzurri will have one eye on the match with Switzerland.
The two teams are level on points at the top of Group C, with Italy holding a two-goal advantage over the Swiss. So should they beat Bulgaria with a scoreline that is three goals more than the score Italy beat Northern Ireland with, then Switzerland would go to Qatar.
18:45 GMT: Northern Ireland vs Italy: Official line-ups
Northern Ireland make three changes to the team that beat Lithuania. While Italy have a defensive partnership of Bonucci and Acerbi, while Tonali replaces Verratti in midfield.
Northern Ireland XI: Peacock-Farrell; Cathcart, Flanagan, J Evans; Dallas, McCann, Davis, Saville, Lewis; Whyte, Magennis
Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Acerbi, Emerson; Tonali, Jorginho, Barella; Berardi, Insigne, Chiesa
17:45 GMT: Italy need Euro 2020 magic
Having already become kings of Europe, Italy are in a perilous position know that anything less than a win against Northern Ireland could see them face a playoff to reach the 2022 World Cup. Thus Roberto Mancini will need to summon some of that magic which led the Azzurri to glory in Euro 2020 if they are to make sure of their participation in Qatar next year.
17:30 GMT: What was the result when Italy last played Northern Ireland?
History suggests that the Azzurri won't have it easy in Belfast, and there is a lesson from the 1950s that Italy will have to heed.
In five previous meetings with Northern Ireland, Italy have lost just once. That came in qualification for the 1958 World Cup, with Italy then missing out for the final time before 2018. Instead, Northern Ireland topped the qualification group above the Azzurri and Portugal to advance.
Italy's most recent trip to Belfast came in qualification for Euro 2012, with the two sides drawing 0-0 on that occasion.
16:10 GMT: What are the Northern Ireland vs Italy predicted line-ups?
Things could be tough for Roberto Mancini's men as the Azzurri go into the their final World Cup Qualifier without a recognised No.9.
Northern Ireland probable XI: Peacock-Farrell; McNair, J. Evans, Cathcart; Dallas, McCann, Davis, Saville, Lewis; Magennis, Washington.
Italy probable XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Acerbi, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Tonali; Berardi, Chiesa, Insigne.
15:30 GMT: When does Northern Ireland vs Italy start and where can you watch it?
Monday's crucial World Cup Qualifier between Northern Ireland and Italy kicks off at 19:45 GMT, with Northern Ireland playing hosts at Windsor Park in Belfast. For those watching in the UK, you can tune in to Sky Sports Premier League, or live stream the action NOW TV or Sky Go apps from 19:45 GMT. In the United States, you can watch the game live on ESPN+.
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