Italy vs. Nigeria: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Even though Italy and Nigeria are both World Cup bound, there's plenty of work left to do. The limited international dates between now and next summer must be used wisely as each side attempts to build the best roster possible for Brazil.

The Azzurri are coming off a 1-1 draw with Germany last week. It was a match that saw the traditional European powers at less than their best. In turn, Italy needed the first international goal of Ignazio Abate's career in order to get level with the Mannschaft.

On the flip side, Nigeria is riding high after punching its ticket to Brazil with a 4-1 aggregate triumph over Ethiopia. It's the second straight World Cup appearance for the African nation. It had made three straight before missing out on the 2006 tournament.

Let's take a glance at all the key information for the friendly, followed by a closer look at the top storyline heading into the clash and a match prediction.

Where: Craven Cottage in London, England

When: Monday, Nov. 18 at 2:45 p.m. ET (7:45 p.m. GMT)

Watch: beIN Sport

Live Stream: beIN Sport Play

Match Odds (via Bovada)

Italy: -155

Nigeria: +375

Draw: +260

Top Storyline: Can Italy return to top form to close out 2013?

After cruising through most of the UEFA qualifying cycle and making a nice run at the Confederations Cup, Italy was seemingly trending in a very positive direction with the World Cup on the horizon. The side's form has dropped since it clinched a spot in Brazil, though.

The Azzurri finished Group B play with draws against Denmark and Armenia. They followed it up with the home draw with Germany, failing to show top form at any point during the recent lull. The task is finding that type of play leading up to next summer.

Starting against Nigeria, the search for World Cup form is going to become a delicate balancing act for manager Cesare Prandelli. He wants to make sure his team is playing well, but also has to sort through the players on the roster fringe to see which ones warrant a spot on the final roster.

It will be interesting to see how he decides to line up against a Super Eagles squad that is flying high after earning its trip to Brazil. If Italy doesn't play well, Nigeria certainly possesses enough talent to pull off the upset.

For Prandelli, it comes down to finding the right combination of reliable veterans like Andrea Pirlo and Riccardo Montolivo and other players he wants to assess. Discovering the right starting lineup is the key to getting back to top form for the clash with Nigeria and beyond.

Prediction

Nigeria will be determined to have a good showing. Not only for its own confidence level, but to send an early message to top teams that it can't be overlooked. Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Obinna make the Super Eagles potent on the attack, and the squad features plenty of international experience.

That said, Italy is the better side overall. Even if Prandelli decides against choosing his best lineup and rotates some players, the Azzurri should hold a narrow advantage. Expect them to use that edge to score a narrow victory in a hard-fought match.

Italy 2, Nigeria 1