90min

Italy vs Estonia Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News

By James Merrills

Moise Kean has scored three goals in four appearances for PSG this season and will hope to carry his form into the international break.
Moise Kean has scored three goals in four appearances for PSG this season and will hope to carry his form into the international break. / Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images
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Italy host Estonia in a friendly on Wednesday evening as they look to improve on a run of lacklustre recent performances.

Robert Mancini's Italy side have only one won of their four Nations League games in the competition's second edition, and have only managed three goals. Their other three games all ended in draws, leaving them languishing in second place behind Poland, with the Netherlands hot on their tails.

Roma striker Lorenzo Pellegrini was on target in their last game against the Netherlands.
Roma striker Lorenzo Pellegrini was on target in their last game against the Netherlands. / Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images

Where to Watch

When Is Kick Off? Wednesday 11 November
What Time Is Kick Off? 19:45 (GMT)
Where Is It Played? Stadio Artemio Franchi
TV Channel/Live Stream Sky Sports Football (UK)
Referee? Rade Obrenovic (Slovenia)

Team News

Italy will be without West Ham defender Angelo Ogbonna after David Moyes confirmed he had picked up a groin strain in his side's 1-0 win over Fulham at the weekend, but Mancini has named a whopping 41-man squad on Saturday to ward off any potential COVID-19 related depth issues.

Players from six clubs are currently self-isolating, including players from Fiorentina, Inter, Roma and Lazio, while Mancini himself is also isolating after testing positive on Friday.

Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is isolating at home in Rome after testing positive for COVID19.
Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is isolating at home in Rome after testing positive for COVID19. / Claudio Villa/Getty Images

Estonia have no fresh injury doubts and have a lot of experience to call on if needed. Rauno Sappinen is their best chance of scoring, for those unfamiliar.

Predicted Lineups

Italy: Sirigu, D'Ambrosio, Mancini, Acerbi, Biraghi, Locatelli, Cristante, Castrovilli, Berardi, Kean, El Shaarawy.

Estonia: Hein, Teniste, Baranov, Kuusk, Pikk, Liivak, Kreida, Miller, Sinyavskiy, Vassiljev, Sappinen.

Recent Form

Italy have struggled for good performances on the international stage of late, and have played out three boring draws as well as a 1-0 win over the Netherlands. Mancini's side have really struggled for goals, and will be hoping to put a few past Estonia to help build confidence heading into their final round of Nations League games.

The huge squad that Mancini has announced will no doubt see Italy experiment with new players, we can also expect to see wholesale changes at half yime due to the squad depth on offer.

AC Milan defender Davide Calabria could be awarded his first Italy cap on Wednesday.
AC Milan defender Davide Calabria could be awarded his first Italy cap on Wednesday. / Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images

Estonia have failed to win so far this year in both competitive and friendly games, but they have picked things up ever so slightly of late – scoring four goals in two consecutive draws with North Macedonia and Armenia.

Italy

Italy 1-1 Netherlands (14/10)
Poland 0-0 Italy (11/10)
Italy 6-0 Moldova (07/10)
Netherlands 0-1 Italy (07/09)
Bosnia 1-1 Italy (04/09)

Estonia

Estonia 1-1 Armenia (14/10)
Estonia 3-3 North Macedonia (11/10)
Estonia 1-3 Lithuania (07/10)
Armenia 2-0 Estonia (08/09)
Estonia 1-0 Georgia (05/09)

Prediction

Italy should easily coast past Estonia.
Italy should easily coast past Estonia. / Claudio Villa/Getty Images

The size of the squad named by Mancini means Italy have strength in depth, and should easily beat Estonia. Even without Mancini on the touchline, there is enough experience in the Italy squad to see them through to victory.

Prediction: Italy 4-0 Estonia