Italy go into their final Group F showdown with Slovakia knowing victory will guarantee progression. The Azzurri have drawn both of their matches so far after fighting back against Paraguay before being embarrassingly held by New Zealand.

However, a draw against Slovakia could be enough to progress providing Paraguay beat New Zealand in Group F's other fixture.

Slovakia still have everything to play for themselves as they could still advance with a victory aided by help elsewhere.

Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo is hoping to be fit to start after a calf injury that has so far ruled him out of the tournament.

Juventus' Claudio Marchisio is most likely to give way after failing to make any impact if head coach Marcello Lippi recalls Pirlo.

Riccardo Montolivo's decent form means Italy may be forced to revert to a 4-3-3 from 4-4-2.

Striker Alberto Gilardino has also struggled and Simone Pepe was brought off at half-time against New Zealand so forwards Antonio Di Natale and Giampaolo Pazzini could come in.

Injured keeper Gianluigi Buffon's visited Italy's training pitch on Monday, but he is still only working in the gym and will not feature.

Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss may well tinker with his starting XI after they mustered just one shot on target against Paraguay.

Attacking midfielder Miroslav Stoch could be recalled if he has recovered sufficiently from his knee injury

Weiss could also opt to bring back the more experienced Marek Cech ahead of Kornel Salata, who admitted being nervous in the Paraguay game.

The Slovakia boss admitted the side's chances were not great, but pledged to do their best against the Azzurri.

"We will give everything in our last match against Italy," said Weiss. "My favourite (for the group) has always been Paraguay."