Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
Getting their World Cup qualifying adventure underway on Friday night, Italy will travel to Oslo when they meet Norway.
Norway
Starting with the hosts, enjoying what was a real Nations League romp last year as they stormed their way to a League A ticket, Norway have opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with another flurry. Getting proceedings underway with a routine 5-0 romp away at Moldova, Stale Solbakken’s men have rightfully received a string of plaudits. Last seen on March 25th claiming an action-packed 4-2 victory against Israel, the former Copenhagen boss has seen his squad enjoy a real free-scoring run in the final third. Signing off their Nations League charge last year with another 5-0 win against Kazakhstan, Norway have remarkably notched 18 goals in their last four appearances across all competitions. Suffering just a single competitive defeat since way back in October 2023, Solbakken’s side will be relishing a return to Oslo on Friday night.
Norway Team News
In what is a huge boost for Norway, Manchester City starlet Oscar Bobb has been recalled to Solbakken’s squad and could make a first international appearance since February 2024. Likewise, while Erling Haaland might have failed to add another Premier League Golden Boot to his collection, the record-breaking marksman will lead the line here.
Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard has been included in Norway’s squad and will earn a 64th international cap this weekend. All playing their domestic football in the Premier League, the likes of Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford), Sander Berge (Fulham) and Jorgen Strand Larsen (Wolves) could feature.
Italy
As for the visitors, watching their Nations League adventure come to a thumping end back in March as they fell to a 5-4 aggregate defeat against Germany, Italy will have a huge amount of pressure here. Failing to progress past the Round of 16 at the European Championships last summer, Luciano Spalletti’s men have faced some hefty scrutiny over the past 12 months. Signing off 2024 with a 3-1 loss at home against historic rivals France, the former Inter Milan boss will also have a major headache over his side’s glaring defensive struggles. Along with shipping eight goals in just their last three appearances, they have also remarkably registered just a sole clean sheet from any of their last 12 consecutive outings across all fronts. Getting their World Cup qualifying campaign underway this weekend, Italy should be bracing themselves for a stern examination.
Italy Team News
Suffering Champions League heartbreak with Inter Milan over in Munich last weekend, Italy have announced that veteran defender Francesco Acerbi has withdrawn from their squad and will not feature here. Likewise, picking up a reported ankle issue earlier in the week, Juventus ace Manuel Locatelli has returned to Turin and will miss out this month.
Seeking some much-needed cover, Fiorentina defender Luca Ranieri has joined up with the Azzurri. Claiming Italy’s Golden Boot after notching 25 Serie A strikes, Atalanta marksman Mateo Retegui will be hoping to be given the chance to spearhead Spalletti’s attack in Oslo.
Norway vs Italy Key Factors to Consider
- When Norway and Italy last met back in October 2015, the Azzurri collected a 2-1 victory on home soil.
- Italy have won all of their previous four meetings against Norway (three wins, one draw).
- In what has been a remarkable run, Norway have notched 18 goals in just their last four consecutive victories across all competitions.
- Along with shipping eight goals in their previous three appearances, Italy have registered just a sole clean sheet from any of their last 12 outings across all fronts.
- Norway have won their previous four showdowns in Oslo by an aggregate score of 13-1.
Conclusion
While Italy might get their World Cup qualifying adventure underway on Friday night, Spalletti’s camp should be bracing themselves for a stern examination when they travel to Oslo. Watching Norway enjoying what has become a real free-scoring flurry, the Lions are more than capable of collecting a heavyweight qualifying scalp here. With Italy remarkably mustering just a sole clean sheet from any of their previous 12 appearances across all competitions, they will meet a Norway squad who have bagged a stunning 18 goals in their last four consecutive victories.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
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