Italy vs. Bulgaria Live Stream: Watch World Cup Qualifying Online
Italy will host Bulgaria in the next round of World Cup qualifying matches with the visitors never having beat the Italians on their home turf.
Cesare Prandelli's and the rest of the Azzurri will be focused on a full three points, which would bring them on the cusp of earning a spot in Brazil next year.
The same fixture was held in Bulgaria last year and ended in a 2-2 draw. Pablo Daniel Osvaldo netted both goals during that match, but he is suspended for this game along with Riccardo Montolivo and Mario Balotelli.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Italian captain and net minder Gianluigi Buffon is two games away from equaling the all-time appearance record. The veteran goalkeeper currently has 134 caps over his 15 year career.
There have been rumors that Prandelli will step down from his position after next year's finals, but he has remained silent. Yet speculation continues, with Roberto Mancini and Fabio Cannavaro leading contenders to take over.
Meanwhile, Bulgaria's boss Lyuboslav Penev has brought his 21-man squad with him to Sicily. Luzern striker Dimitar Rangelov has been recalled for the first time since last November after former Serie A striker Valeri Bojinov was been dropped.
Bulgaria has drawn four of their six qualifiers so far this campaign. They defeated Japan 2-0 and Kazakhstan 2-1 in friendlies, but have not played a competitive match since March.
Italy, however, fell in a 2-1 friendly defeat to Argentina in Rome last month. Four victories and two draws have put Italy in the top spot in Group B. Both sides will have three qualifying games remaining after Friday's match.
Bulgaria have never defeated the Italians on home soil. The Azzurri previously defeated their Balkan counterparts during qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. Bulgaria last beat the Italians in 1991.
Kick-off for the match is at 2:45 ET and can be watched online here.
