Old rivals meet again in the second round of 2018 World Cup qualifiers, some three months after the Azzurri defeated La Furia Roja at Saint Denis to reach Euro 2016 quarter-finals.

The Italy national team have since appointed Giampiero Ventura to replace Antonio Conte, and the jury is still out on the former Torino boss.

The Azzurri were beaten by France in his first game in charge, but then showed improvement to start the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign with a win over Israel.

Italy head into the clashes with Spain and FYR Macedonia with a slightly changed squad, but Mario Balotelli, Simone Zaza and Lorenzo Insigne all miss out.

Andrea Belotti is back after a great start to the season, while Nicola Sansone, Domenico Criscito and Alessio Romagnoli are included as well.

Italy are available at 3.00 (2/1) to win the clash at Juventus Stadium in Turin, but we are not convinced they’ve got what it takes.

Marco Verratti is still not in the best shape, meaning he is likely to be involved in one of the two fixtures, but he is expected to start against Spain. Giorgio Chiellini is banned.

Probable starting line-up (3-4-2): Buffon – Barzagli, Bonucci, Ogbonna – Florenzi, Parolo, Verratti, Bonaventura, Candreva – Pelle, Immobile.

Spain have been on a major downtrend since hammering Italy 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final, and they also failed to impress last summer in France.

Long-serving coach Vicente Del Bosque has since stepped down from the post, and with the squad set for major rebuilding, it was hardly surprising to see former Under-21 boss Julen Lopetegui handed the reigns.

The new head coach has already made some changes, leaving the likes of Iker Casillas, Juan Mata, Cesc Faregas and Juanfran out of the squad, while reinstating Diego Costa as the first choice striker.

After the 2-0 victory over Belgium in a high-profile friendly, La Furia Roja put 8 goals past weak Liechtenstein and they are now 2.65 (33/20) favourites to defeat Italy as well.

Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera was drafted into the squad as Saul Niguez and Thiago Alcantara are rated doubtful, and Javi Martinez has withdrawn.

Coach Julen Lopetegui is unlikely to make major changes to the side that defeated Liechtenstein, with Diego Costa set to be preferred to Alvaro Morata.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): De Gea – Sergi Roberto, Pique, Ramos, Alba – Thiago, Busquets, Koke – Vitolo, Diego Costa, Silva.