Italy vs. Ireland: Live Stream, Odds and Form Guide for Euro 2016

The Republic of Ireland will need to cause a major shock against Italy in Group E at Euro 2016 on Wednesday in Lille, France, if they want to qualify for the knockout phase. The Irish have only claimed a solitary point from their opening two games.

The Italians are through to the next round after an impressive start to their campaign, defeating Belgium and Sweden in their openers.

Ireland can still claim second ahead of the Belgian side with a huge goalscoring win at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, but a victory against manager Antonio Conte's men would be enough to see them through as a best third-placed qualifier.

Here is how you can watch the vital final group match.

Date: Wednesday, June 22

Time: 8 p.m. BST/3 p.m. ET

TV: ITV and HD (UK), ESPN3 (U.S.)

Live Stream: ITV Hub (UK), WatchESPN (U.S.)

Result	Odds
Italy Form: W (1-0 vs. Sweden); W (2-0 vs. Belgium); W (2-0 vs. Finland); W (1-0 vs. Scotland); L (1-4 vs. Germany); D (1-1 vs. Spain)	Ireland Form: L (0-3 vs. Belgium); D (1-1 vs. Sweden); L (1-2 vs. Belarus); D (1-1 vs. Netherlands); D (2-2 vs. Slovakia); W (1-0 vs. Switzerland)
Italy win	27-20
Draw	43/20
Ireland win	9/4

Odds courtesy of Odds Shark.

Ireland Can Go for Broke Against Italy

SYLVAIN THOMAS/Getty Images

Despite Italy's immense tournament heritage, punters were not impressed with their chances of success in a group with Belgium—the top-ranked European side in the world, according to the latest FIFA rankings.

However, Italy know the script better than most in major competition, and despite a lack of superstars in their squad, they have comfortably navigated shark-infested waters in Group E.

Their early success should be a blessing for the Irish, and it will not be a surprise if Conte rotates his starting XI as he looks beyond the Ireland clash.

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane has typically issued a rallying cry ahead of the game with the group leaders, advising his players to do whatever it takes to win the encounter, as quoted by David Hytner of the Guardian.

Asked about the physical aspects of the game, Keane said:

"

Foul, you mean? Yes. My advice would be: ‘Yeah, take them out.’ We’re not here to make friends. The fans will do that. From a player’s point of view, if you smell danger and you think: ‘We’re in trouble here,’ then yeah, you do whatever you can to get the right result. If that’s a foul, then you foul him. It’s not a crime. You might get a yellow card, you might even get a red but your team might win. Sacrifices. You have to make sacrifices for your team. Does that answer your question?

"

MIGUEL MEDINA/Getty Images

Keane made similar sacrifices as a player for Manchester United when he was famously booked in a Champions League semi-final against Juventus in 1999, only to inspire the team to the final despite being suspended for the marquee event.

The Green Army are on a bad run of form at present, with only one win in six, and their best quality has been lacking in France.

Manager Martin O'Neill and Keane will wait on the fitness of Jon Walters ahead of the match, but the midfielder has resumed light training, as shared by RTE Soccer:

Italy have fatigue in mind ahead of the game, as broadcaster Paolo Bandini confirmed, with the ageing members of the squad attempting to stay fresher—deep into the tournament:

The Italians have displayed a pragmatism in their play on French soil, and they won't allow the Irish to claim the points without a unique moment of magic.

Ireland have lacked the inspiration of Wales and Northern Ireland in their opening fixtures, and Italy's solid defence will be tough to crack, even though their opponents have qualified and might not be at optimum level.

Conte will want to win the group to get the easiest draw possible in the round of 16.

O'Neill and Keane are both highly versed in the art of war on a football pitch and will fuel their players to give their best in Lille on Wednesday night, leaving everything on the field of play.