Armenia can close in on Italy at the top of Group B with a victory over the Azzurri tonight in their 2014 World Cup qualifying bout.

The home side sit third in the standings, just one point below Cesare Prandelli's men, who secured a draw against Bulgaria and scraped a victory over Malta last month.

Armenia will be without Marcos Pizzelli and Gevorg Ghazaryan due to suspensions, while Yura Movsisyan should lead the line up front.

Meanwhile, Euro 2012 finalists Italy could start with controversial Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, who was close to being left out of the squad altogether.

The 22-year-old is likely to be joined alongside Pablo Osvaldo, with Riccardo Montolivo sitting just behind the pair to provide support.

Current form:

Armenia: LWLWL
Italy: WLLDW

Possible lineups:

Armenia: Berezovsky; Aleksanyan, Mkoyan, Arz'yan, Hayrapetyan; Mkrtchyan, Yedigaryan; Ozbiliz, Mkhitaryan, Sarkisov; Movsisyan

Italy: Buffon; Maggio, Bonucci, Barzagli, Criscito; De Rossi; Pirlo, Marchisio; Montolivo; Osvaldo, Balotelli

Sports Mole says: 0-2

Written by
Danielle Joynson

Previews by email