Italy will look to inch one step closer to a World Cup berth when it takes on Bulgaria in a decisive World Cup qualifiers match.
Italy currently leads Group B with 14 points, while Bulgaria trails with 10. The top team in the group moves on the World Cup finals while the second place team has to settle for a two-legged playoff.
Both teams have three games remaining after Friday's matchup and will look to take advantage of the three points at stake. An Italian win would put the team seven points ahead of Bulgaria and as much as eight ahead of third place Czech Republic. Even if the Czechs manage to win on Friday, Italy would retain a five point lead on its rivals.
For Bulgaria, the situation is even more dire. A loss to Italy would put them seven points behind first place and could potentially push them into third if the Czech Republic wins its game.
The two teams tied 2-2 when they met in Bulgaria earlier in the group round.
Here is the Italian squad for the game:
Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Marchetti (Lazio), Sirigu (Paris Saint Germain)
Defenders: Abate (Milan), Antonelli (Genoa), Astori (Cagliari), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Maggio (Napoli), Ranocchia (Inter)
Midfielders: Aquilani (Fiorentina), Candreva (Lazio), Cerci (Torino), De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Bologna), Florenzi (Roma), Giaccherini (Sunderland), Montolivo (Milan), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint Germain), Pirlo (Juventus), Verratti (Paris Saint Germain).
Forwards: Balotelli (Milan), El Shaarawy (Milan), Gabbiadini (Sampdoria), Gilardino (Genoa), Insigne (Napoli), Osvaldo (Southampton)
Prediction: Italy pulls off a 2-0 win.
Start Time: 2:45 p.m EST
Watch Live Stream HERE.
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