Desperate Italy could face a struggle against Ukraine

Sky Sports Football, 7.45pm Wednesday

Italy and Ukraine meet in Genoa in a prep match for Nations League assignments and it will be a sombre affair played in memory of those who lost their lives in the motorway bridge tragedy in the city in August.

Against that backdrop and with both Roberto Mancini and Andrei Shevchenko taking few risks ahead of more meaningful showdowns, expect something low-key and unattractive for betting purposes.

The Azzurri, who have won just one in five under Mancini, are in Poland on Sunday trying to make amends for poor efforts against the Poles and Portugal last month.

Ukraine are unbeaten in seven and healthily placed to be taking on the Czech Republic on Monday with six points out of six from their Nations League outings.

Italy, whose sense of desperation has meant a recall for Toronto's Sebastian Giovinco after a three-year exile, have never lost to Ukraine. A draw would at least extend that sequence to eight games.

Recommendation
Draw
1pt 5-2 general

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