UEFA Nations League team news and prediction: Italy vs Netherlands

It's all to play for in Group 1 of League A coming into the fourth round of matches with just three points separating the four teams. Italy currently lead the way with five points and are the only side yet to lose a match in their group. Netherlands, meanwhile, sit a point behind Italy coming into this crunch clash. 

In the build up to this clash, we have all your need-to-know match info in one place, including when kick off is, where you can watch it, as well as team news, probable XIs and predicted scoreline.    

When is kick off?    

Wednesday 14th October, 19:45 GMT    

Where is the match?  

Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo 

Where can I watch it?    

Sky Sports Football - Via the Red Button 

2020/21 So Far  

Italy have made a solid enough start to their UEFA Nations League campaign as they top Group 1. However, they have won just one of their three matches, though that came in a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture against the Netherlands. Held to draws by Bosnia and Herzegovina and Poland so far, the Azzurri need to at the very least avoid defeat if they are to avoid relegation to League B. 

For the Netherlands, Frank De Boer is looking to avoid an unwanted record as head coach. The Oranje have now failed to score in three matches, one of which was, admittedly, on Ronald Koeman's watch, and have never fired a blank in four successive games in their history. De Boer is under pressure already and a trip to Italy is not what he will have wanted as he looks to see the Netherlands score their first goal under his tenure, let alone secure their first victory. 

Team News 

Andrea Belotti is suspended for Italy after his second half yellow card in the 0-0 draw with Poland, with Ciro Immobile expected to be given the nod ahead of Francesco Caputo in his absence. Roberto Mancini is without Gaetano Castrovilli and is set to make a few of changes from the side that drew with Poland, with Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Spinazzola and Danilo D'Ambrosio among those who could feature. 

In the Netherlands camp, Marten de Roon will serve a ban following his late yellow card in the 0-0 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Donny van de Beek tipped to replace the Atalanta man in midfield. Further forward, Memphis Depay is set to lead the line having played no part in Sunday's stalemate. 

Probable XIs 

Italy (433) - Donnarumma; D'Ambrosio, Bonucci, Chiellini, Spinazzola; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa, Immobile, Pellegrini

Netherlands (4231) - Cillessen; Hateboer, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Blind; Van de Beek, De Jong; Berghuis, Wijnaldum, Malen; Depay

Key Battle - Marco Verratti vs Frenkie de Jong

Having impressed on his first UEFA Nations League performance of the campaign, earning a spot in the League A team of the round with a WhoScored rating of 8.19, Marco Verratti will be looking to put in a repeat performance against the Netherlands tonight. A driving force from midfield, the PSG man has the means to break the lines to help open up the Oranje backline as Italy look to maximise their impressive attack.

It's a similar case for Frenkie de Jong, who is one of the more adept dribblers in Europe. There is additional pressure on the Barcelona star's shoulders in Bergamo tonight in the absence of the suspended Marten de Roon, but the 23-year-old has the ball retention qualities to deny Italy the opportunity to add to their two UEFA Nations League goals.

Prediction: Italy 1-0 Netherlands