During the 2006 World Cup, Italy adopted a typically cautious approach to matches, with all three of their group games yielding two goals or less. Against Ghana and Czech Republic, the team managed 2-0 victories and we could well see something similar at the Greenpoint Stadium on Monday.

Indeed, Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino clearly regards the match against the Azzurri as a 'bonus game', with the south American side confident that they can get the better of Slovakia and New Zealand to qualify from Group F along with Marcello Lippi's team. Therefore, while Barrios, Santa Cruz and Cordozo are excellent strikers, they may not see too much of the ball.

Lippi has blended experience with fresh blood in 2010 and the Italians still boast one of the world's best keepers in Gianluigi Buffon. With Fabio Cannavaro and Giorgio Chiellini as centre halves, it's a Juventus trio that should help the Azzurri keep a clean sheet and squeak a goal or two at the other end of the pitch.

PREDICTION: ITALY TO WIN 1-0 OR 2-0 (6.0 & 6.0 with bwin)