Euro 2012 Qualifying, Group C Preview, Picks: Northern Ireland To Test The New Italy

Italy's had a strong start to the Cesare Prandelli era, picking up six points in the first week of qualifying. Of course, those results came against Estonia and the Faroe Islands, UEFA minnows, leaving unanswered questions as to whether the Azzurri have moved beyond their World Cup struggles. For now, they lead Serbia by two points, with the White Eagles having stumbled at home against Slovenia. Northern Ireland's win in Maribor has them on three points with only one match played, while Slovenia's mixed results see them one point from bottom.

• Serbia versus Estonia, 2:30 p.m. Eastern, Friday - It took a late Nikola Zigic goal against Slovenia for the Serbs to salvage a draw - two points dropped by a team that could have been argued as group favorites coming into qualifying. Perhaps that's why Serbia comes goes into this match with a new coach, with Vladimir Petrovic getting a continental minnow to start his Serbia tenure. He will be without defenders Aleksandar Kolarov and Ivica Dragutinovic, absences which shouldn't matter against Estonia. But on Tuesday, in Genoa against Italy? Well, we'll wait `til next week to talk about that match.
  
• Northern Ireland versus Italy, 2:45 p.m. Eastern, Friday - In the meantime, Italy has to get past a Northern Ireland team that's already got a meaningful road result, downing World Cup-qualifier Slovenia in Maribor on September 3. Northern Ireland also proved problematic during World Cup qualifying, and against an Italy side that hasn't looked good in years, you don't have to squint hard to imagine this developing into a draw. Northern Ireland will be tough and organized at the back, and while the continued inclusion of Antonio Cassano gives Italy a dimension they lacked under Marcello Lippi, the Azzurri have yet to show the kind of cohesion they'll likely need in Belfast.
  
• Slovenia versus Faroe Islands, 2:45 p.m., Eastern, Friday - Through three matches, the Faroes have allowed 10 while scoring one, giving little indication they are ready to improve upon the four points in 10 matches they recorded in World Cup qualifying. Slovenia should cruise through this match, and with Estonia looming on Tuesday, the Slovenes could reverse their current fifth place standing by the end of the international break.