World Cup qualifiers. Key fixtures: Malta vs Italy

Italy will play against one of the European minnows Malta in Group B with a task to extend their perfect start of the campaign.

The four-time world champions stay unbeaten in four qualifying matches so far and can increase their lead to four points. The teams stand at two different poles in the group as Italy leads the group with ten points and Malta lie bottom with no points from four games.

The Italians started the campaign with a 2-2 draw away to Bulgaria, yet after that collected victories over Malta, 2-0, Denmark, 3-1 and Armenia 3-1. Malta on the other hand have not celebrated a win so far and scored one goal.

Mario Balotelli is a man to watch in the game as the player who surprised many in recent months moving from Manchester City to Milan found new confidence in the new club. The Italian scores both for the team and the national side and at his best appears to be a remarkable striker who can net important goals with style as weekend friendly against Brazil showed. The forward is partnered by Stephan El Shaarawy and the duo can easily change the course of any game.

The Azzurri are clearly superior to their opponents and should dominate in the match form the first minutes, getting a convincing victory in the end.