The Republic of Ireland almost certainly need a win to qualify for the knockout stage at Euro 2016, but will they be able to claim three points against what is expected to be an under-strength Italy side?

Two wins in two have guaranteed Antonio Conte’s side top spot in Group E, with a 2-0 victory against a talented Belgian outfit in their opening game ranking among the most complete displays at the tournament so far.

With nothing to play for the likes of captain Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Daniele De Rossi will almost certainly be handed a breather. There is plenty of strength in depth in Italy’s squad, with young talent including Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernadeschi surely keen to make an impression.

But the decision to rest key men could almost certainly give Martin O’Neill’s side a chance to nab a famous upset. Can they recreate the impressive first half they showed against Sweden, or will it be a repeat of the abject fare they offered up against Belgium?

Team news

Conte is expected to rest several of his most important players in Lille but will retain the 3-5-2 that has brought him such success in the opening two games.

Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian is likely to return to the starting lineup after being replaced by Alessandro Florenzi, though this time may be deployed at centre-back alongside West Ham’s Angelo Ogbonna.

Juventus striker and Crystal Palace target Simone Zaza is set to take Graziano Pelle’s place in the frontline.

Ireland’s key fitness concern is over Stoke forward Jonathan Walters, whose industrious presence in the frontline was severely missed when he sat out the 3-0 defeat to Belgium with an Achilles injury.

Walters took part in training on Monday and is expected to feature in some capacity though assistant manager Roy Keane expressed doubt that he could complete 90 minutes.

Possible XI

Italy: Sirigu, Barzagli, Ogbonna, Darmian, Motta, Bernadeschi, Sturaro, Insigne, Florenzi, El Shaarawy, Zaza

Ireland: Randolph, Coleman, O’Shea, Clark, Brady, McCarthy, Whelan, Hendrick, Hoolahan, Walters, Long

englishmart:
Italy no need this match sha. But Belgium mist be careful

chic2pimp:
WTF is Barzagli doing in that starting 11?.. Hope that's not the starting 11 because Barza's old legs needs as much rest as possible before the spanish tie. If I had my way ,i'll get the u21 boys to play against the Republic. I'm sure Conte would have tanked the first game had He known the rewards for beating one of the pre-tournament favourites was a place in the harder half of the draw.

Spain
Germany
France/England........ You couldn't have made that up even if you tried.

lifezone247:
bro them need am to be the only team with 100% record in the tournament. If they win thou.

englishmart:
100% record? They wan win euro?

sweetyme001:
Two friends were walking home and a lady happened to be blowing a kiss to one of them from the window of a storey building. Their conversation went as follows: 1st friend: Omo e b lyk say na me dat babe dey blow kiss 2nd friend: Guy leave dat one jare, no mind am (then d lady signaled to him to come) 1st friend: Omo d babe dey kal me sha 2nd frnd: Ogbeni, no go 1st frnd: Y u go tell me make I knw go. Fyn babe lyk dat dey kal me, u say make I no go 2nd frnd: Guy abeg no go, no go (feeling pity) (The friend ignored him and went over to d lady, she went to meet him nd dey both went upstairs. Suddenly as dey were abt to have fun, dey heard a car honking) Ladyon opening d window) ha! Dats my husband 1st frnd: Yeh! Mo gbe Lady: Dnt worry, jst pretend lyk u re d laundry man nd iron these cloths (pointing at a heap of cloths) (dis guy spent d whole day ironing clothes cos d husband Neva left ome dat day again. The next day he went over to his friend's place) 1st friend: Omo, shey u knw say na cloth I iron thru out yesterday 2nd friend: Shebi I tell u make u no go. All dat cloth wey u iron so, na me WASH AM

toluine56:
I expect an upset in this match.

SuperSuave:
the best result Ireland will get is a draw

Essienblaze:
Biko wetin be scores PHED no gree give us light

SuperSuave:
the best result Ireland will get is a draw

freshcvvs:
Round of last 16 (Fixtures)
R16 June 25
08:00Switzerland vs Poland ? - ?
R16 June 25
11:00Wales vs N.Ireland ? - ?
R16 June 25
14:00Croatia vs Portugal ? - ?
R16 June 26
08:00France vs Ireland ? - ?
R16 June 26
11:00Germany vs Slovakia ? - ?
R16 June 26
14:00Hungary vs Belgium ? - ?
R16 June 27
11:00Italy vs Spain ? - ?
R16 June 27
14:00England vs Iceland ? - ?

England should beat iceland
spain should beat Italy
Hungary is likely to stun belgium
slovakia can stun germany o

Mykelpato:
Italy is gonna beat spain