Norway vs Italy Prediction, 01:45 June 7: The beginning of the dream

TPO - Football analysis Norway vs Italy, 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Europe, at 01:45 on June 7 - Information on forces, expected lineup, form, history of confrontation. After two consecutive failures in the World Cup qualifiers, the Italian team will have a challenging away trip to Norway, where the dream of returning to the world's biggest stage begins.

Pre-match comments

Norway are in a formidable position in Group I with six points from two matches. Under coach Ståle Solbakken, they started their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with two impressive wins: a 5-0 thrashing of Moldova and a 4-2 win over Israel on neutral ground.

With five teams in this group, the top spot - which means a direct ticket to the World Cup - is within reach of the Nordic team.

Norwegian football is possessing the most potential generation in history. With two bright stars, Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, they are not only aiming for their first World Cup ticket since 1998, but also want to assert themselves as a formidable name on the European football map. Having been promoted to the highest level of the Nations League is also an important support in terms of mentality and class.

Meanwhile, Italy entered the World Cup qualifying campaign late due to their participation in the Nations League quarter-finals. In contrast to Norway's progress, Italy entered this match with much skepticism. The Azzurri did not appear in the last two World Cups in 2018 and 2022, despite winning Euro 2020.

Under the new reign of coach Luciano Spalletti, they showed signs of improvement but were not really stable when they reached the round of 16 of Euro 2024, then were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Nations League in a dramatic and unstable match against Germany (draw 3-3 after being down 0-3).

The last time Italy visited Oslo was in 2014, when they won 2-0 in Euro 2016 qualifying. But times have changed. Norway are no longer the underdogs, but are now equal opponents, even slightly better in terms of form and current cohesion.

If they fail at Ullevaal, Italy will be in real danger as the door to the 2026 World Cup officially closes, forcing them to enter a risky play-off series, which gave them nightmares in 2022.

Italy carry great ambitions. And Ullevaal tomorrow morning could be the start of a historic comeback or another dark chapter in the Azzurri's long tragedy.

Form, head-to-head history

In the last 6 matches in all competitions, Norway won 5 and lost 1, while Italy won 2, drew 2 and lost 2.

Norway know that another win in Oslo will help them make a strong breakthrough ahead of their clash with Italy, but their head-to-head record against Italy is not in their favour.

Including the most recent meeting in the Euro 2016 qualifying round, the two teams have met four times in major tournament qualifiers, with Italy winning three and drawing one.

Force situation

Norway have the strongest squad. Meanwhile, Italy face a completely opposite situation, with their squad severely depleted by injuries and withdrawals. They are without Manuel Locatelli, Francesco Acerbi, Riccardo Calafiori, Alessandro Buongiorno and Matteo Gabbia.

Expected lineup

Norway: Nyland; Ryerson, Ostigard, Ajer, Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Berg, Schjelderup; Sorloth, Haaland

Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Gatti, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Barella, Ricci, Tonali, Udogie; Raspadori, Kean

Score prediction: Norway 2-1 Italy

Trong Dat

Source: https://tienphong.vn/nhan-dinh-na-uy-vs-italia-01h45-ngay-76-khoi-dau-giac-mo-post1748921.tpo