When the draws were made, everyone expected Italy and probably Uruguay to go through with Costa Rica being the whipping boys. Well, it hasn’t exactly turned out that way. Costa Rica have already confirmed their qualification with wins over both Italy and Uruguay while the duo face off in the bid to join the Central Americans in the Round of 16. A draw will do for Italy as they have a better goal difference but La Celeste have to win if they’re to advance. By the way, England have already been eliminated.
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Italy started the tournament brightly, beating England 2-1 to reaffirm their pre tournament status as group favourites. However, the next match against Costa Rica stunned the Azzuri as the Central Americans successfully stifled Andrea Pirlo and ran out 1-0 winners. Italy were even lucky not to have conceded a penalty when Giorgio Chiellini appeared to commit a foul in the penalty box but the referee let it go. The Italian team looked lost and unsure of themselves in that match and Italy coach Cesare Prandelli will be desperate for his team to get their confidence back or they might have to catch another early flight home.
Uruguay, on their part, will have been buoyed by the 2-1 victory over England last time out. Liverpool striker Luis Suarez scored a brace on his return from a four- week injury lay off to send the Three Lions crashing out of the tournament early. His partnership with PSG striker Edison Cavani was a joy to behold as Suarez scored his first goal off a beautiful Cavani assist. The latter has now had a hand in three out of Uruguay’s last five World Cup goals.
The South Americans are in better form heading into the match with four wins, one draw and one loss in their last six games while Italy have only managed one win, three draws and two losses.
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Italy coach Cesare Prandelli will have been unhappy with the performance of his centre backs Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli last time out and could be looking to replace one of them. Barzagli is the more likely with Leonardo Bonucci coming in for the Juventus defender. Furthermore, Danielle De Rossi could miss the match due to a calf injury sustained against Costa Rica.
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez, on the other hand, will be delighted with the way his charges played against England. The strike partnership of Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani showed good chemistry and Tabarez will hope they can fire Uruguay into the next round.
Probable Lineups
Italy (4-3-3): Buffon; Darmian, Bonucci, Chiellini, Abate; Pirlo, Thiago Motta, Verratti; Marchisio, Balotelli, Candreva
Uruguay (4-4-2): Muslera; Pereira, Giminez, Godin, Caceras; Rodriguez, Lodeiro, Rios, Gonzalez; Suarez, Cavani
PREDICTION
Italy are no longer the effective defensive team of old and that coupled with the prolific strikers that Uruguay have should see La Celeste get the win they require to advance to the Round of 16.
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