11' CHANCE! Danger for Northern Ireland as Immobile latches onto a long ball over the top of the defence. However, he does not strike the ball cleanly and Peacock-Farrell gratefully gathers.
9' It has been a promising start by the Irish, who are awarded a free-kick in a good position. Smith floats the ball into the box, but Italy head clear.
7' Of course, the Italians' last World Cup campaign ended in disaster as their play-off defeat by Sweden meant they failed to qualify for the 2018 finals. The Azzurri will be desperate to avoid a repeat of that four years on.
5' Once again, Italy deal with the set-piece without too many difficulties. Remember, the Azzurri have never lost a World Cup qualifier on home soil. That is the task at hand for Northern Ireland today.
4' A neat phase of play from the Irish sees Whyte and McCann exchange passes in the Italian box, before the former's deflected cross goes behind for a corner.
2' The visitors look to apply early pressure with Smith launching a long throw into the box. However, Italy easily deal with it and go on the counter, before Evans tidies things up at the back.
1' The referee blows his whistle and Northern Ireland get things underway!
The teams are coming out onto the pitch and kick-off is moments away.
Italy are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Northern Ireland; winning four, while they have never lost in this fixture on home soil.
The big news for Northern Ireland sees Steven Davis make his 125th international appearance; making him the joint-most capped British player of all time alongside England’s Peter Shilton. Jonny Evans earns his 90th cap in the heart of defence, but Jamal Lewis misses out with a groin injury. Other notable injury absentees from Ian Baraclough’s squad include Conor Washington and Jordan Jones, while Liam Boyce will join up later in the camp as he awaits the imminent birth of his second child.
Roberto Mancini names a strong side in his 25th match in charge of Italy. Leonardo Bonucci earns his 100th cap as he starts alongside skipper Giorgio Chiellini, who plays his 106th international. Further up the field, Ciro Immobile leads the line and will receive support from Lorenzo Insigne and Domenico Berardi, who has netted in each of the Azzurri’s last two games.
SUBS: Liam Hughes, George Saville, Jordan Thompson, Danny Ballard, Shayne Lavery, Conor McLaughlin, Kyle Lafferty, Matthew Kennedy, Ciaron Brown, Niall McGinn, Shane Ferguson, Conor Hazard.
NORTHERN IRELAND (4-4-2): Bailey Peacock-Farrell; Michael Smith, Craig Cathcart, Jonny Evans, Stuart Dallas; Paddy McNair, Corry Evans, Ali McCann, Steven Davis; Gavin Whyte, Josh Magennis.
SUBS: Salvatore Sirigu, Matteo Pessina, Federico Bernardeschi, Francesco Acerbi, Nicolo Barrella, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Leonardo Spinazzola, Andrea Belotti, Vincenzo Grifo, Gianluca Mancini, Federico Chiesa, Alessio Cragno.
ITALY (4-3-3): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Alessandro Florenzi, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Emerson; Lorenzo Pellegrini, Manuel Locatelli, Marco Verratti; Domenico Berardi, Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne.
Stadio Ennio Tardini - home to Serie A side Parma - is the venue for the Group C clash, as both nations launch their quest for a place at the finals in Qatar next year.
Hello everyone and welcome to live text coverage of the World Cup qualifier between Italy and Northern Ireland.
