Match for the 9th European Qualifiers Group for the 2026 World Cup, at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, home of the Norwegian national team.
What We Know
- Norway have won their first two matches, while this will be Italy’s first game in the group.
- This is the first duel between the two in ten years; Italy are three games unbeaten vs Norway, winning 2 and drawing one.
- Italy have the upper hand in the all-time record: 9-3-4.
- Four straight wins for Norway in all competitions, home or away, scoring at least four goals in each game.
- Italy have won just two of their last 5 matches in all competitions, with four of them ending with over 3.5 goals and both teams scoring.
Norway - Italy Betting Tip
This is a rather evenly matched duel, with no apparent favourite. Norway are flying on all cylinders offensively, and they get goals from multiple players. Italy are struggling defensively with absent players, but they are able to score goals, and they’d want to avoid a first-game defeat. Our pick is BTTS.
- Prediction: BTTS
- Odds: 1.67 (at the time of writing)
- Stake: 5
Norway
Back home to Oslo for the Norway team, they are hoping to continue their winning streak and excellent performances into the World Cup qualifiers. They managed to get two dominant wins away from home at Moldavia and Israel (0-5 and 2-4, respectively). They were dominant, attacking two markedly weaker opponents.
Their win against the Israelis was their fourth in a row, all coming with at least four Norway goals scored. Their attacking trio of Haaland (Manchester City), Sorloth (Atletico Madrid) and Odegaard (Arsenal) has been prolific. Sorloth, in particular, is building on an excellent first season in Madrid.
Manager Solbakken emphasised how important the game versus Italy is, considering the latter are Norway’s main opponent for first place and direct qualification for the World Cup. The Norwegian team has not made it into the competition since 1998, when they reached the round of 16. Solbakken noted how important it has been for the team to show resilience after an October thrashing at the hands of Austria (5-1). They will face Estonia after this match, on the 9th of June.
Italy
This is Italy’s first qualifying group game since they were unable to participate in the first two rounds owing to their Nations League playoffs obligations. There, they faced Germany in a two-leg quarter-final that ended with a narrow German victory. Italy have been absent from two straight World Cups, and they would like to avoid another such disappointment. Everyone around the team is laser-focused on the Norway clash that can be decisive.
Manager Luciano Spalletti noted that the road to the US World Cup goes through Norway, and acknowledged how strong the latter have been offensively. Considering the plethora of absences for the Squadra Jura, this will be an even tougher matchup. The latest loss was Inter defender Acerbi, who refused the call-up, first claiming he couldn’t make it, before stating he feels unwanted in the team.
Spaletti’s team will likely approach this game with three at the back - Bastoni, Gatti, and Napoli captain (and Serie A champion) Di Lorenzo are expected to start. Things will be decided last-minute for Italy, who are facing Moldavia in the next round.
