Slovakia v Italy
Football : FIFA World Cup 2010 : Group F
Venue : Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Thursday, 24th June 2010 - Kickoff 16:00 local / 15:00 BST

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FIFA World Cup 2010 - Group F Standings

Group F      W D L  F A GD Pts
 Paraguay    1-1-0  3:1 +2  4
 Italy       0-2-0  2:2  0  2
 New Zealand 0-2-0  2:2  0  2
 Slovakia    0-1-1  1:3 -2  1

Slovakia

Slovakia's World Cup campaign never really got started and with just a single point from two games, Slovakia need to win their final group match against Italy if they aspire to progress through to the second round.

It's tough to see exactly what Slovakia can change within four days to turn things around. The early form that Slovakia displayed to win their European qualifying group has gone and warm-up matches against Norway, Cameroon and Costa Rica were mediocre.

The Slovakian effort against Paraguay was just dismal, with the first effort on goal not coming until the 92nd minute of that game.

Slovakia Team News :
Slovakia need to win, and manager Vladimir Weiss could change his attack line-up a bit and could start with midfielder Miroslav Stoch, who seems to have recovered from his knee injury.

Marek Cech could also start ahead of Kornel Salata.

Probable Slovakia Line-up (4-2-3-1) :
Mucha
Pekarik, Skrtel, Cech, Durica
Strba, Stoch
Weiss, Hamsik, Vittek
Sestak

Italy

We knew that Italy had been struggling over the last 12 months, and that retaining the World Cup was likely to be a tough task - but I do not think that anyone expected Italy to be in this situation.

With just two points from a pair of draws in the opening two fixtures, it's do-or-die time for Italy who need a win to be sure of progressing to the knockout stages (although a draw could be enough).

While Italy's results have been poor, Italy have been dominant in both games, simply lacking the guile and nous up-front to turn their possessional advantage into goals.

I expect to see Lippi make a few alterations to the teamsheet in order to try and change that.

Italy Team News :
Creative midfielder Andrea Pirlo is now in full training and is likely to be drafted into the starting line-up on Thursday replacing Claudio Marchisio.

Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini could also come in and so could Antonio Di Natale, meaning that Simone Pepe and Alberto Gilardino could be relegated to the bench. Gianluigi Buffon remains injured for the fixture.

Probable Italian Line-up (4-3-3) : Italy coach Marcello Lippi
Marchetti
Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Criscito
Montolivo, De Rossi, Pirlo
Iaquinta, Pazzini, Di Natale

UPDATE :Lippi says at FIFA.com that Pirlo is still not fit enough and will start on the bench. Is he telling the truth or playing the slippery eel?

The Betting Verdict :

Slovakia started nervously against New Zealand and were outplayed against Paraguay and now have left themselves with a mountain to climb against an Italian side desperate for a win.

The Azzurri need to win this match and should achieve that - but given the lacklustre performances so far it might only be by the minimum margin.

The Pick :

Slovakia 0-1 Italy

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

Slovakia 15% - Draw 15% - Italy 70%

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take ITALY to win