ESPN3: Slovakia vs. Italy World Cup 2010 Schedule of 24 June Match day - Italy are defending champions, and like most defending champions that aren’t Brazil, almost no one is picking them to repeat. Their performances against Paraguay and especially New Zealand, resulting in a grand total of two points, won’t be making their odds any shorter.

Slovakia have only one point in Group F and will need to win today’s game against Italy to reach the kockout stages. Although Paraguay seem favourite to top the group, Slovakia will be second if they beat the current World Champions.

Italy have drawn both of their opening matching in this year’s finals and will need to play at their best to hold or even beat Slovakia.

The Azzurri have taken on the team widely considered to be the other group favorite (Paraguay), and they have taken on the one expected (wrongly) to be the whipping boy (New Zealand). Now they face the Goldilocks team of Group F, Slovakia.

Drawing with New Zealand and being soundly beaten by Paraguay should make Slovakia an underdog against the holders, but it really all comes down to which Italy decides to show up on the day.