Italy Under-19s will kick off the European Under-19s Championship when they face Norway Under-19s in Belfast on Monday.
The two nations will compete in Group A alongside tournament hosts Northern Ireland and 2009 winners Ukraine.
Match preview
Italy enter the tournament as the European Under-19 champions after they beat Portugal to win last year's competition in Malta.
They may be the reigning champions, but Italy still had to negotiate two stages of qualifying to seal their spot at a fifth consecutive Under-19 Euros.
The Azzurrini collected four points from three matches to progress to the elite round of qualifying, before they recorded victories over Scotland, Czech Republic and Georgia to finish top of Group Five with maximum points.
Italy's main focus will be on reaching the semi-finals, but they will be fully aware that a top-two spot would also guarantee them automatic qualification for next year's Under-20 World Cup in Chile.
Having scored 13 goals in their last four matches, Bernardo Corradi's side will be looking to showcase their firepower in Monday's tournament opener.
Norway made light work of their qualification process, winning all three games in the first phase before taking seven points from three matches to finish top of their group in the elite round.
As a result, Norway are now preparing to make their seventh appearance at the European Under-19s Championship.
They failed to make it out of the group in their first five tournament finals, before they ended their wait for a knockout-round appearance in last year's competition.
In 2023, they claimed a dramatic 5-4 win over Greece and drew with Iceland and Spain to advance to the semi-finals, where their journey was brought to an abrupt end by a heavy 5-0 loss to Portugal.
Norway know that if they progress from the group this year, they will be guaranteed to make their fourth appearance at an Under-20 World Cup.
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Team News
Renato Marin is expected to line up in goal for Italy, while he could be shielded by a back four of Vittorio Magni, Filippo Mane, Fabio Chiarodia and Davide Bartesaghi.
Simone Pafundi will be one of Italy's main attacking threats, having scored seven goals in five appearances for the Under-19 side.
AC Milan's Francesco Camarda could be given a starting opportunity after he helped Italy win the European Under-17 Championship earlier this month, with his performances earning him the Player of the Tournament award.
As for Norway, they are expected to select Rasmus Holten and Simen Vatne Haram as their two centre-backs, while Casper Glenna and Aleksander Andresen are set to operate as the two full-backs.
Tromso's Jens Hjerto-Dahl is likely to play as the holding midfielder, which should give some attacking license to the central midfield duo of Sondre Granaas and Sverre Nypan.
Sindre Walle Egele, who will feature on the right flank, will be looking to continue his fine form for the Under-19 side after scoring seven goals in Norway's six qualifying matches.
Italy Under-19s possible starting lineup:
Marin; Magni, Mane, Chiarodia, Bartesaghi; Ciammaghlichella, Lipani, Mannini; Zeroli; Pafundi, Camarda
Norway Under-19s possible starting lineup:
Borsheim; Glenna, Holten, Haram, Andresen; Egeli, Granaas, Hjerto-Dahl, Nypan, Bang-Kittilsen; Norheim
We say: Italy Under-19s 2-0 Norway Under-19s
Italy have won each of their last four matches, scoring 13 goals and conceding on just two occasions, and we think that they will continue their impressive winning run by outclassing Norway in Monday's tournament opener.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
