Each day our exclusive MATCH OF THE DAQ service previews the big match of the day – usually a televised game.

As well as the preview we also bring you the head to head records of the two teams as well as a recommended bet on BETDAQ for the match.

Italy v Republic of Ireland
International friendly
KO 19:45, Sky Sports 1

HEAD-TO-HEAD
(Max last 10 only)
10 Oct 2009 South Africa 2010 qualifier Ireland 2-2 Italy
01 Apr 2009 South Africa 2010 qualifier Italy 1-1 Ireland
17 Aug 2005 International friendly Ireland 1-2 Italy          
18 Jun 1994 USA ‘94 Italy 0-1 Ireland      
04 Jun 1992 International friendly Ireland 0-2 Italy           
30 Jun 1990 Italia ‘90 Italy 1-0 Ireland
10 May 1971 Euro ’72 qualifier Ireland 1-2 Italy
08 Dec 1970 Euro ’72 qualifier Italy 3-0 Ireland
21 Mar 1926 International friendly Italy 3-0 Ireland

PREVIEW
With the brand new Carling Nations Cup in the bag, three points collected from a very tricky trip to Macedonia keeping Ireland in the hunt for a Euro 2012 berth and Robbie Keane moving clear at the head of the list of all time British and Irish scorers, these are good times for the Boys in Green.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s men have won five of their past six games, including the last three without so much as conceding.

After all of that, a fixture against Italy will be a real test.

Since perhaps the national team’s most famous victory of all time, in New Jersey’s Giants Stadium 17 years ago, Ireland have only lost once to Italy. That was in a 2005 friendly and the two other recent clashes – qualifiers for last summer’s World Cup both ended in stalemates.

However, for tonight’s friendly in the neutral territory of Liege, Belgium, Trapattoni’s second string are likely to struggle. Aidan McGeady has been added to the missing list after being recalled by Spartak Moscow. He joins injured captain Robbie Keane and fellow absentees Kevin Kilbane, Shay Given, Keith Fahey and John O’Shea, while Darren O’Dea and Stephen Hunt are doubts.

Italy too will shuffle their pack, but the Azzurri are still comfortable favourites. Ex-Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi has blossomed since signing for Villarreal. He will lead the line and he can cause all sorts of problems for Ireland.

RECOMMENDATION: (1-10 points)
Italy at around 1.83: 6 points

Monday’s Return: -4.00 points