Czechs welcome Italians in World Cup qualifier

The Czech Republic’s footballers are taking on Italy in a key World Cup qualifier in Prague on Friday evening. The Czech team are at near full strength, though they will be without English Championship star Matěj Vydra, who is injured. Michal Bílek’s charges have had a mixed campaign so far and lie in third place in Group B after picking up only eight points from a possible 15. Leaders Italy, who are group favourites, have only dropped two points in the same number of games.