Euro 2012 finalists Italy take on hosts Brazil in the Confederations Cup in Salvadoron Saturday. Both sides are already through to the semi final but will be keen to post a win and clinch top spot in Group A, in order to avoid a potential clash against world champions Spain before the final.

Neymar
Reuters

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 8pm BST, with BBC Three and the BBC Sport Web site providing live coverage in the UK.

Overview

Both teams beat Japan and Mexico in their first two group matches to ensure participation in the last four of the competition. Italy struggled in both games but held their nerve to score late winners, beating Mexico 2-1 last week and Japan 4-3 in a thrilling comeback win on Wednesday.

Brazil, on the other hand, eased past the same opponents. A 3-0 win over Japan last week was followed by a 2-0 win over Mexico on Wednesday. Luiz Felipe Scolari's young side, who also beat France 3-0 just before the competition started, now have momentum and are finally starting to show some of the confidence and panache that has been missing from the Selecao side for almost a decade.

Brazil are bidding for their fourth Confederations Cup title, while this is the first time Italy will play in this stage of the competition.

Mario Balotelli
Reuters

History favours Brazil in this fixture as Italy have not beaten the South American giants for over 30 years. The last time the Azzurri managed this was during 1982 World Cup; a Paolo Rossi hat-trick led them to a 3-2 win.

Team Form

Italy

    • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W W D D W
    • Last Result: Italy 4 - 3 Japan

Brazil

    • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W W W D D
    • Last Result: Brazil 2 - 0 Mexico

Team News

Italy: The Azzurri have a few injury and suspension worries as they enter this match. Andrea Pirlo has been ruled out due to a leg injury and Daniele De Rossi is suspended after picking up yellow cards in the previous matches.

Claudio Marchisio could return to the starting XI and Alberto Aquilani could move across from the right flank to the centre, as Prandelli attempts to replace his two veteran central midfielders. Sebastian Giovinco, who came on and scored the winner against Italy, could come into the side, while Stephan El Shaarawy might also start, at the expense of Emanuele Giaccherini.

Probable Line-up: (4-3-2-1) Buffon; Abate, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Sciglio; Aquilani, Marchisio, Montolivo; Giovinco, Shaarawy; Balotelli

Brazil: Paulinho, who is expected to join Tottenham this summer, remains a major doubt for this game due to a sprained ankle, with Hernanes set to replace him. Hulk has failed to impress in the first two matches and could lose his place to Lucas Moura, while Marcelo might be rested and fellow La Liga star Filipe Luis could be deployed at left-back. David Luiz should be fine to start, despite suffering a broken nose against Mexico.

Probable Line-up: (4-3-3) J Cesar; Alves, T Silva, D Luiz, F Luis; L Gustavo, Hernanes, Oscar; Lucas Moura, Fred, Neymar

Japan Mexico