Both Belgium and Italy topped their respective groups in the Euro 2016 qualifiers, and the two giant football nations will look forward to continuing that winning momentum as they take on each other in an international friendly at the King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels.
Belgium have overtaken Germany to become the No 1 team in the world today according to the FIFA rankings, and that comes as a major boost to Marc Wilmots' side. However, the Belgian coach knows that overtaking Italy tonight will not be easy by any means.
Manchester City star and Belgium skipper Vincent Kompany is unavailable for the game tonight, and that's a worry for Wilmots. Not only that, Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini as well as Jordan Lukaku will also be missing the game today for their share of injuries.
Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele is also ruled out.
Despite the growing injury concerns, Wilmots remains upbeat, and he hopes that the youngsters could fill in their roles tonight and give a good performance. "We will of course try to win," Wilmots said.
"But I especially want to see my group to work together and get the result. There are a number of injured players in the team, so I want to give the opportunity to the boys who play less in certain positions. "
Italy manager Antonio Conte, meanwhile, has no such injury concerns in his squad going into the game tonight, and the Italian coach wants to take forward their unbeaten form the Euros to tonight's game as well.
"I want to test out a few situations, including tactical options, ahead of the Euros. The result only matters to a degree, although you know how much me and Marc Wilmots hate to lose," Conte said.
"Whatever happens in this game, we must not get ahead of ourselves or depressed. I wanted us to face top-level opposition at this time to understand if we are on the right track and see what needs to improve."
Possible starting XI
Belgium: Courtois ; Alderweireld , Kompany ,Vermaelen , Vertonghen ; Nainggolan , Witsel , Ferreira Carrasco , De Bruyne , Hazard; Lukaku.
Italy: Buffon; Darmian, Bonucci, Chiellini, De Sciglio; Candreva , Parolo , Marchisio , Florenzi ; Eder , Pelle.
Where to watch live
Belgium vs Italy is scheduled for a 7:45 pm GMT (1:15 am IST, 8:45 pm BST, 2:45 pm ET) start.
Audience in the US can catch the game on ESPN 3 stream the game live on Watch ESPN.
Audience in Belgium can catch the game on La Une and Een. Live streaming will be available on RTBF Live Centre.
Audience in the Italy can catch up with the game on Rai Uno.
There will be no broadcast of the game in the UK and India, but the live scores can be followed on Bet365.
