Italy v Scotland preview: Strachan's men seek to continue good form

Scotland will look to keep up their recent good form with a double-header against two of the favourites for Euro 2016, starting with Italy on Sunday.

Despite a disappointing qualifying campaign which saw them finish fourth in their group, Gordon Strachan's side are seen as good warm-up opposition for some of the sides who will be in France.

That sees them face incoming Chelsea manager Antonio Conte's side in Malta before a meeting with the European Championship hosts in Metz next Saturday.

The games in the next few days will be the Scots' first against the Italians and French since both only just prevented them from reaching the 2008 tournament.

As Strachan and his players seek some kind of retribution, they will do so coming off the back of three consecutive wins over Gibraltar and, more recently, the Czech Republic and Denmark.

Scotland's assistant manager, Motherwell boss Mark McGhee, said: "I hope the motivation is that they want to play against these good teams again regularly.

"I think it will be when they sit down to watch the Euros themselves and that will make them even more determined to be part of it next time.

"We have no control over what the Italians will do or what side they will pick - but they could pick any 11 from the squad they have and I think it will be a fairly robust challenge for us."

Team news

With the season ending and no competitive games internationally until the World Cup qualifiers begin in September, it is perhaps not surprising the Scots have been hit with withdrawals.

Rangers defender Lee Wallace is among the latest to pull out along with Derby's Chris Martin and Aston Villa right-back Alan Hutton.

Wallace's Ibrox team-mate Barrie McKay remains in the group, however, and is expected to make his first senior appearance for his country over the coming days.

Goalkeepers Allan McGregor and Scott Bain are both missing with back injuries so Scott Fox and Jack Hamilton have been selected as replacements.

Swansea's Stephen Kingsley and Derby midfielder Craig Bryson are also in but Andy Robertson, Robert Snodgrass, Shaun Maloney and Barry Bannan all miss out.

Each of them will be at Wembley for the Championship play-off final between Hull and Sheffield Wednesday but they will join Scotland at their Maltese training camp ahead of the France match.

Opta stats

Scotland have only beaten Italy once in their history, winning 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier in November 1965 (D2 L7).

The last meeting between the teams came in November 2007, when Italy ended Scotland's Euro 2008 qualifying hopes in a 2-1 victory through a 90th-minute winner from Christian Panucci.

Gordon Strachan has lost just one of his last nine friendlies as Scotland manager (W6 D2).

The only Scottish player to score in an away from home against Italy is Kevin Gallacher, back in October 1993.

The Tartan Army are looking to keep three successive clean sheets away from home for the first time since September 2007.

Italy haven't won any of their last four internationals since qualifying for Euro 2016 (D2 L2).

Italy's last eight international goals have all been scored by different players, with only one of those goals coming in the first half.

Graziano Pelle has scored more goals than any other Italian player during Antonio Conte's reign (four).

Betting

Scotland go up against odds of 17/4 to secure the victory on Sunday evening as Sky Bet rate Italy 4/6 favourites, while the draw priced at 13/5.

The Italians are, however, up against odds of 16/1 to win Euro 2016 while Scotland are given a 4/1 chance of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup after failing to book their place in this summer's finals.

Southampton's Pelle is rated Italy's main threat at 9/2 to net first, while Steven Fletcher heads the betting from Scotland's side of the first goalscorer betting at 8/1.

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