2018 FIFA World Cup: European Play-off Predictions

#1 Italy vs Sweden

Italy had beaten Sweden after Eder's sole strike in a narrow 1-0 at the Euro 2016

The top billing of this year's European play-offs has to be Italy's match-up with a spirited Sweden, who, four years previously, were dispatched at this stage by a scintillating Portugal side, spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo who bagged a blistering hat-trick at the time.

The qualifiers this time out weren't particularly forgiving to them either, having been drawn against heavyweights such as France and the Netherlands. That said, they are still in the reckoning, whilst the Dutch are grappling with the harsh reality of having missed out on another major tournament altogether. And that's why the Azzurris should not take anything for granted in this tie.

The four-time world champions were humbled 3-0 by Spain in qualifying and such a result effectively sealed their fate, although there were many more quibbles on the road. Against minnows such as Macedonia, Albania and Israel, Italy struggled and it was only a series of late goals or inspired substitutions that saved them from failure to even make the play-offs.

Emulations of such feeble showings would drastically hamper their chances of sealing qualification as Sweden have been far more fearsome so far. Ciro Immobile has done most of the heavy-lifting so far for Italy, but he alone can't drag them through another treacherous test.

Verdict - On paper, this should be the most closely contested game. Sweden might ruffle a few feathers, but Italy should advance off the back of an improved show. Another tragic near-miss tale for the Blagult.

Predicted score: Italy 3-2 Sweden (on aggregate)

Key players: Italy - Ciro Immobile, Gianluigi Buffon; Sweden - Marcus Berg, Emil Forsberg