Italy aim to strengthen Nations League position against winless Turkey

Italy host Turkey in Bologna on Monday evening as they look to build on their 4-1 victory in Bursa and complete an intense run of four Nations League fixtures.

Both teams are chasing the leading pair in Group 1 of League A, but their situations could hardly be more different. Italy are third on four points, two behind Belgium and three adrift of France, while Turkey are bottom without a point.

Roberto Mancini returned as Italy manager three years after leaving the national team for Saudi Arabia. The Euro 2020-winning coach began his second spell with a home defeat by Belgium, but his young side responded emphatically in Turkey.

Pio Esposito and Michael Kayode were among the scorers as Italy raced into a three-goal half-time lead in Bursa. That result provided a significant confidence boost before Friday’s meeting with France in Paris, where Italy drew after quickly cancelling out the hosts’ early advantage.

Italy’s defence was key to that result, with Gianluigi Donnarumma making seven important saves. Alessandro Bastoni, back in the team after serving a suspension following his sending-off in the World Cup play-offs, scored for a second successive match.

Italy have won three of their past four meetings with Turkey, including a 3-0 victory at Euro 2021. The visitors’ recent record offers little encouragement either. Their 3-0 defeat by Belgium on Friday was their third loss in as many Nations League matches and their fifth defeat in six games overall.

Turkey had earned successive promotions through the lower Nations League divisions before making their League A debut. Vincenzo Montella’s side lost to France in their opening match, were heavily beaten by Italy and then suffered another three-goal defeat in Belgium. They also made an early exit from this summer’s World Cup.

Montella is under pressure and urgently needs points at Stadio Dall’Ara to prevent relegation becoming inevitable. Turkey will also be without Arda Guler and Galatasaray forward Baris Alper Yilmaz, both suspended. Hakan Calhanoglu and Kenan Yildiz remain injured, meaning former Juventus defender Merih Demiral is set to captain the side in Calhanoglu’s absence.

Mancini made only two changes for Friday’s match, bringing in Riccardo Calafiori and Moise Kean for Mateo Ruggeri and the injured Giacomo Raspadori, but he could rotate more extensively this time. Pio Esposito, who has scored once every two games in his 12 international appearances, could again start alongside his brother Sebastiano. Antonio Vergara impressed from the bench, while Gianluca Scamacca and Kean provide further attacking options. Nicolo Barella and Gianluca Mancini may also return to the starting line-up.

Italy’s predicted XI is Donnarumma; Kayode, Scalvini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Barella, Tonali, Frattesi; Vergara, Pio Esposito, Kean.

Turkey’s predicted team is Cakir; Kabak, Demiral, Celik; Kadioglu, Ozcan, Yuksek, Elmali; Akgun, Akturkoglu; Gul.

Italy’s recent performances suggest they are improving, while Turkey are still searching for their first point. The prediction is an Italy win, with a 2-0 scoreline priced at 7.00 on Betclic. Other selections are Italy to win at 1.40 and fewer than 2.5 goals at 2.30.