THE FACTS
When does Armenia vs Italy kick off? Thursday 5th August, 2019 – 17:00 (UK)
Where is Armenia vs Italy being played? Vazgen Sargsyan anvan Hanrapetakan Marzadasht
What is the weather forecast for Armenia vs Italy? Clear, 24c
What television channel is Armenia vs Italy on? Sky have the rights to UEFA European Qualifiers matches in the UK, so it is worth checking the Sky Sports schedule
Where can I stream Armenia vs Italy? If the match is televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go
What was the score when the teams last met? Italy 2-2 Armenia
THE TEAM NEWS
ARMENIA
- Back-to-back wins have moved Armenia up to third in Group J and boosted their hopes of qualifying for the European Championship for the first time.
- All of the players who started in the last qualifier against Greece in June have been included in the squad again, so the starting line-up is likely to be similar.
- Captain Henrikh Mkhitaryan faces the nation where he now plays his domestic football after joining Roma on loan, while fellow attackers Aleksandr Karapetyan, Tigran Barseghyan and Gevorg Ghazaryan have all scored in each of the last two matches.
Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Hayrapetyan; Hambardzumyan, Haroyan, Ishkhanyan, Kamo Hovhannisyan; Mkrtchyan, Grigoryan; Barseghyan, Mkhitaryan, Ghazaryan; Karapetyan
Unavailable:
Doubtful:
ITALY
- Italy are unbeaten in their last eight matches including friendlies and have conceded just two goals in the process, and they have also won each of their last eight European qualifiers.
- Lorenzo Insigne, Giorgio Chiellini, Mattia De Sciglio and Bryan Cristante have all pulled out due to injury, with Vincenzo Grifo, Francesco Acerbi, Danilo D’Ambrosio and Sandro Tonali replacing them in the squad.
- That means that Alessio Romagnoli is set to partner Leonardo Bonucci in the centre of defence, while Stephan El Shaarawy is the natural replacement for Insigne on the left of attack.
Predicted line-up (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Mancini, Bonucci, Romagnoli, Emerson; Jorginho, Verratti, Barella; Bernardeschi, Immobile, El Shaarawy
Unavailable: Insigne (Injured), Chiellini (Injured), De Sciglio (Injured), Cristante (Injured)
Doubtful:
THE PREDICTION
Italy play a more attacking style of football under Mancini but they have retained their famous defensive solidity. The Azzurri have conceded just one goal in their four EURO 2020 qualifiers and although Armenia have scored six goals in their last two, that was against far weaker opposition.
