On the program this saturday (10 p.m.) in Dublin:
Ireland , coached by the italian legend
Giovanni Trapattoni against
Italy and their coach
Marcello Lippi.
For the Azzurri one point would be enough to be automatically qualified for the 2010 World Cup in Southafrica, the irish on the other hand could get as close as one point to the italians by beating them, for them this match is the last theoretical chance to achieve the first place who equals the direct world Cup qualification without play-off.
In the first match between the two teams Giovanni Trapattoni's boys have managed to surprise the italians, getting a very deserved 1-1 draw in Naples' San Paolo stadium. Now of course Italy is in the slightly better position considering that, even in case of a defeat in Dublin, Italy would keep their first place with a home victory against Cyprus on Wednesday. Marcello Lippi has of course announced that his team will do everything to get the qualification already on saturday, and in theory the
Squadra Azzurra should be able to do so: Ireland has so far won two games at home (1-0 against Cyprus, 2-1 against Georgia) but has only gotten a draw against Bulgaria (1-1) - they are surely not a team that cannot be beaten at home.
Unfortunately for Italy
Fabio Cannavaro is disqualified for this game in Dublin, the irish team on the other hand will have to play without
Damien Duff who has injured himself in the game of his team Fulham against 'Arsenal. Of course Antonio
Cassano won't play as well, despite of his excellent season for Sampdoria, but for Lippi the discussion is over, he doesn't want reporters to ask him about the subject ("I'm tired of it!")...
It will be a decisive game for Italy, one point is enough to get the ticket for Southafrica. Ireland has demonstrated that they are a ver strong team, but in my opinion Lippi's boys will get the necessary point from this match -
My tip is
x,
draw between Italy and Ireland - the
best odd is to be found at
Betsson with
2,80
