Italy have been struggling so far in qualifying. After a below-par showing at Euro 2008, the current World Champions are in danger of making heavy weather of a group in which they should qualify with relative ease.

Marcello Lippi, the World Cup-winning coach who returned after Donadoni's two-year spell, has not turned things around much and he witnessed a 0-0 draw away in Bulgaria. However, there are a number of absentees at the moment.

In the upcoming game, players of the standard of Buffon, Camorensi, Iaquinta, Pirlo, Grosso and Materazzi are out through injury, whilst striker Luca Toni is suspended.

The absence of Toni will allow Fiorentina striker Alberto Gilardino a chance to start the game in Lecce and he comes into the game in form with 7 goals already for Fiorentina this season and he's now starting to get back to his prolific form before his three-year stint in Milan.

Italy's previous two qualifying games before Saturday were nervy victories. A last minute goal securing a 2-1 win in Cyprus and another last-minute goal ensuring a 2-0 home victory over Georgia.

In total, 7 of Italy's 9 Euro 2008 qualifying wins saw them score 2 goals (4 2-1s and 3 2-0s).

They take on a Montenegro side who have been impressive since their first-ever international match back in March 2007. They won that 3-1 against Hungary and in qualifying so far have drawn both games at home (2-2 Bulgaria, 0-0 Ireland).

In friendlies, they have drawn against Slovenia, beat Norway, lost narrowly to Sweden, though did lose 0-4 in Romania.

Italy are $1.20 to win and, despite being far from impressive, it's hard to put forward a case for Montenegro. They have Roma striker Vucinic and teenager Jovetic, who plays for Fiorentina, up front, but they may find themselves isolated as the overall quality of the Italian side should ensure the home side enjoy much of the ball.

Match Betting Previews 15 October 2008 >>> World Cup 2010 UEFA qualifying: Group 2: Greece v Switzerland Group 4: Germany v Wales - Russia v Finland Group 5: Belgium v Spain Group 6: Belarus v England Group 8: Italy v Montenegro - Ireland v Cyprus Group 9: Norway v Netherlands

The correct scores of 2-0 and 2-1 are appealing ($6.00 and $12.00), but with Toni out, this is Gilardino's chance to shine. He's scored 10 goals in 28 games for his country, but with the lack of other goalscorers around in the team, he should be expected to take the fight to the Montenegrins.

Udinese's Pepe, who made his debut last Saturday and Villarreal's Rossi, who also came on for his first cap on Saturday, may also start in a three-pronged attack, but the former is not a goalscorer and the latter is a better playmaker than striker.

Gilardino has been amongst the goals already this season and looks a great bet to score first. Considering he is $1.53 to score anytime, the First Goalscorer is particularly tempting. Given that Italy rarely score many and that the other players may defer scoring duties to the Fiorentina striker, the $4.50 on him to score first is too high.

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Bet: Gilardino to score first Odds: $4.50 Stake: 3pts Bookies: Bet365

Match Betting Previews 15 October 2008 >>> World Cup 2010 UEFA qualifying: Group 2: Greece v Switzerland Group 4: Germany v Wales - Russia v Finland Group 5: Belgium v Spain Group 6: Belarus v England Group 8: Italy v Montenegro - Ireland v Cyprus Group 9: Norway v Netherlands