After making it four successive winners on Sunday, SlipsTips shares a Bet Builder double ahead of Italy’s World Cup play-off tie with Northern Ireland on Thursday night.
Italy vs Northern Ireland, Thursday (19:45)
Seeking to take another step towards this year’s World Cup, Italy and Northern Ireland will face off in a play-off semi-final tie on Thursday night.
Having finished second behind Norway in Group I, Italy now run the risk of missing a third consecutive World Cup, after failing to qualify for the last two editions.
Northern Ireland, meanwhile, will be aiming to end a 40-year wait to return to football’s showpiece, having last featured in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
Italy Double Chance
While Italy must navigate the pressure cooker of the play-off round, they were largely consistent during the group stage.
Italy may have claimed back-to-back wins over Moldova, Estonia and Israel during the pool phase, but Northern Ireland, of comparable standard, have proven under Michael O’Neill that they can be stubborn opponents.
The visitors will likely look to stay compact and remain in the game for as long as possible on Thursday night. While I would expect Italy to get the job done inside 90 minutes and secure their place in one of next week’s play-off finals against either Wales or Bosnia, I’m going to opt for a touch of insurance and back the Italians on the double chance for the first leg of this Bet Builder double.
The Green and White Army lost away at both Germany and Slovakia during the league stage of qualification, making it hard to see them toppling the Italians.
Federico Dimarco To Be Fouled 1+ Time
For the second leg of this Bet Builder double, I’m backing Federico Dimarco to be fouled at least once. The Italian left-back, who can also operate further up the flank, has been in excellent form for Inter Milan this season and has a knack for drawing fouls. While not exactly a foul magnet, Dimarco has earned his side a total of five free kicks across his last five Serie A appearances, including being brought down twice away at Fiorentina on Sunday night.
The pattern carries over to international duty. In Italy’s World Cup qualifying campaign, Dimarco has been fouled in four of his last five outings, including each of the previous three. The case is further strengthened by a potential direct battle with Northern Ireland’s Trai Hume, who has committed multiple fouls in each of his last three outings for his country, including three away at Slovakia last time out.
Combined, these two selections create a 4/5 double that holds plenty of appeal.
Recommended Bet
- Italy Double Chance
- Federico Dimarco To Be Fouled 1+ Time
- Bet Builder – 4/5 (bet365)
Grant Heaney, aka SlipsTips, is a Freelance Football and Darts Writer with over six years experience. Grant has written football and darts betting content for some of the biggest betting websites and newspapers in the UK. He is a Falkirk season ticket holder and avid watcher of football and darts, whether it be UK-based or further afield. You can find all of his tips on X @SlipsTips
GambleAware