Italy vs Norway prediction: EUROPE: World Cup – Qualification betting tips on match 2025-11-15 19:45.
[p]Only a highly improbable victory by at least a nine-goal margin would see Italy steal top spot in Group I away from Norway, whose World Cup qualification (WCQ) celebrations have already begun.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Italy’s hopes of reaching the World Cup finals for the first time since 2014 will almost certainly come down to a play-off despite a 2-0 win over Moldova on Thursday, with that result stretching their winning streak to six matches. Having missed out on the last two editions thanks to losses in the play-offs, the Azzurri will be keen to continue building momentum under Gennaro Gattuso, who has become just the third Italy manager to begin his tenure with five successive wins. A whopping 18 goals therein highlights the threat that they carry going forward, but they’ve also been solid at the back, keeping three consecutive clean sheets at home since a Nations League defeat to Germany in March (W3).[/p]
[p]While they may not have officially sealed qualification, Norway wasted no time in starting the celebrations after thrashing Estonia 4-1 on Thursday to move to the brink of sealing their place at a first World Cup since 1998. A dominant WCQ campaign has seen them win all seven games, scoring 33 goals while conceding just four times! Boss StĂĄle Solbakken – who was part of the Norway side eliminated by Italy in their last World Cup finals appearance – brings his side to the San Siro looking for some personal revenge, and with his side winning their last four away matches whilst scoring 4+ goals in three of those, confidence should be high.[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]Norway’s 3-0 victory in June was their first over Italy since 2000 (D1, L3). Just two of the last nine H2Hs saw both teams score.[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Italy have scored 3+ goals in four of their five matches under Gattuso.[/p]
[p]Eight of Italy’s last ten competitive matches saw over 2.5 goals scored.[/p]
[p]Nine of Norway’s last 11 wins came by a 2+ goal margin.[/p]
[p]Norway have scored 3+ goals in eight of their last nine competitive matches.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Francesco Pio Esposito has scored twice across Italy’s last three matches, with all of his last seven goals for club and country arriving after half-time. Alexander Sørloth ended his eight-match goal drought with a brace against Estonia, whilst he opened the scoring in the reverse fixture in June.[/p]
[p]Italy are likely to leave out Sandro Tonali as he’s just one yellow card away from a suspension which would affect the play-offs. Norway don’t appear to have any fresh injury concerns.[/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]Given the fine form of both sides, we’re backing over 3.5 goals in this match.[/p]
[p][i]Author: Tomáš Vlasák[/i][/p]