<p>The two nations will contest a single-game knockout match, with the winner playing either Wales or Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina as part of the Path A pathway.</p><p>This match is scheduled for Friday, March 27, with the game set to kick off at 06:45 AEDT.</p><h2>Quick Picks</h2><p><strong>Our pick:</strong> Italy to win</p><p><strong>Value bet:</strong> 'Draw/Italy' in the Half-Time/Full-Time market</p><p><strong>Long shot:</strong> '2-0 Italy correct score'</p><h2>Betting Preview</h2><p>Michael O'Neill has been busy since the Group Phase ended, having taken control of EFL Championship side Blackburn Rovers, where he is looking to save them from potential relegation. It's rare for a manager to take on two jobs, but will it be something that works for Northern Ireland?</p><p>The Irish finished third in Group A but secured their spot through their UEFA Nations League ranking. They won three of their matches but had three defeats across six games. They scored seven times and conceded just six, with four of those coming against Germany across two games.</p><p>For the Italians, it was a disappointing qualification campaign. Gennaro Gattuso took over in 2025 and guided them to a second-placed finish in Group I. They finished behind Norway, who won each of their eight games. Italy won six and lost two, finishing on 18 points. They scored 21, but conceded 12. They had some big results, but their defeats to Norway are something to keep in mind; Northern Ireland won't have players like Erling Haaland, though. For more on <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/soccer/soccer-news/can-italy-qualify-2026-world-cup">Italy's path to the 2026 World Cup</a>, check out our detailed analysis.</p><h2>Betting Markets to Watch</h2><p>Italy are considered short-priced favourites to win this game, and that's far from a surprise. They boast a squad of quality players, while the British nation will have a very restrictive pool of players to pick and choose from.</p><p>Still, a David vs Goliath-type tie lies ahead, which could mean there's plenty to look out for. We think that means there's value worth exploring in markets such as <strong>Half-Time/Full-Time</strong>. The '<strong>Draw/Italy</strong>' option offers value, as the first half could be very cautious, with Northern Ireland likely to want to remain in the game for as long as possible. If you're new to <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/what-is-a-multi-bet">understanding how multibets work</a>, this could be a good market to explore.</p><p>The '<strong>Under 2.5 Goals</strong>' market offers potential value worth exploring, too. If the game is as cagey as some expect, it could be a match that is determined by just one or two goals. We think Italy will find the net first, and then hit it again, but two goals feels like the most that will happen based on how well Northern Ireland did in the Group Phase.</p><h2>Our Prediction</h2><p>Check the latest <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/world-cup/fifa-world-cup-qualifiers-europe/italy-v-northern-ireland-9867690">Italy vs Northern Ireland betting odds</a> at Sportsbet.</p><p>Our <strong>betting prediction is for Italy to be the likely winners</strong>. Our <strong>value bet is in the Half-Time/Full-Time</strong>, as we think this has been mispriced and isn't quite reflecting of how Northern Ireland will approach the game. For a comprehensive overview of <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/soccer/soccer-news/how-to-bet-on-2026-fifa-world-cup">betting on the 2026 FIFA World Cup</a>, explore our complete guide.</p><p>With the 'Under 2.5 goals' approach we've taken, we think a <strong>'Italy 2-0' correct score</strong> also offers value as a long shot.</p><h2>Keep Reading</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/world-cup">Your complete hub for World Cup betting markets</a></li><li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/soccer/soccer-news/fifa-world-cup-groups-ranked-easiest-hardest">Which World Cup groups will be the toughest to escape?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/same-game-multi">How to combine your picks into one bet</a></li></ul>