Team News: Graziano Pelle leads Italy attack against Malta

Southampton striker Graziano Pelle leads the Italian attack against Malta at the Artemio Franchi this evening.

Manchester United's Matteo Darmian starts in defence, while Sampdoria's Brazilian-born forward Eder wins his third cap for Antonio Conte's team.

Malta's Clayton Failla, who scored their only goal of the qualifying campaign so far in the 1-1 draw against Bulgaria in November, keeps his place in defence.

However, record goalscorer Michael Mifsud, formerly of Coventry City and Barnsley, has to settle for a place on the bench.

Italy: Buffon; Pasqual, Chiellini, Bonucci, Darmian; Pirlo, Bertolacci, Verratti; Eder, Pelle, Gabbiadini. Subs: De Sciglio, Insigne, Florenzi, Padelli, Zaza, Vazquez, De Rossi, Barzagli, Mandziuk, Soriano, Candreva, Sirigu.

Malta: Hogg; A. Muscat, Agius, Borg, Failla, Z. Muscat; Fenech, Briffa, R. Muscat; Schembri, Effiong. Subs: Mifsud, Vella, Bonello, Kristensen, Pisani, Bajada, Zarafa, Haber, Cohen, Sciberras, Triganza, Baldacchino.

Follow Sports Mole's live coverage of the game here.