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Italy and Republic of Ireland will play out the final match of the groups stage for both sides at Euro 2016. Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a blog of the game, starting from 5am AEST.
Italy are in the position of already have qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament, so this match isn’t going to mean a whole lot to them – even a loss here would still see them likely finish at the top of the group.
The only situation in which that wouldn’t be the case is if Italy lose by multiple goals, or Belgium win by multiple goals. Even then they would still finish second in the pool and be automatically into the knockout stages.
In that sense it’s a match they will play purely for the pride of going 3-0 in the groups stage, but it’s also likely that they’ll look to take it easy and rest a few players to freshen them up for when the knockout stage arrives.
Republic of Ireland however have it all to play for. Although their odds of getting to the knockout stage are really quite low, it’s still mathematically possible with a good enough performance today and other results going their way.
A win in this match would see them go up to four competition points, and that would see them jump into second in the group on the condition that the Sweden vs Belgium match, played concurrently with this one, ends in a draw.
If that match ends in a win to either team, Republic of Ireland are unlikely to finish second in the group unless they win by several goals. However, they would likely still have a good enough record to qualify from third with a win today.
Prediction
Italy will likely take it easy, but should still have the talent to hold this one to a draw.
Draw 1-1
Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a blog of the game, starting from 5am AEST.
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