Italy will be hoping to take sole possession of first place in Group H when they take on Bulgaria in today’s Euro 2016 qualifier.

The Azzurri are unbeaten in qualifying and travel to Sofia level on 10 points with Croatia, who lead the group on goal difference.

Italy will be without two veteran midfielders in Andrea Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi, with both players recovering from injuries. Instead, Paris St Germain playmaker Marco Verratti will lead the midfield line and the 22-year-old is ready to deliver.

“This is a very important game for me and for the team in view of qualification,” Verratti said.

“I will try to give my best. We want to get an important result in Sofia and show we are a good side.”

Italy have yet to lose since Antonio Conte replaced Cesare Prandelli at the helm of the national team last summer.

Prandelli stepped down following Italy’s first-round exit from the World Cup in Brazil.

Bulgaria will be hoping to mark coach Ivaylo Petev’s first competitive game in charge with a victory.

Petev replaced Luboslav Penev, who was sacked after a poor run of form last November. Bulgaria have not won since their 2-1 triumph at Azerbaijan in September. They have collected just four points from their opening four qualifiers.

Croatia have yet to lose in qualifying. They take on a Norway side today that makes the journey to Zagreb having won their two qualifiers away from home against Malta and Azerbaijan.

Norway are third in the pool, just one point adrift of Croatia and Italy.

“Norway are a tough, young, hungry and very organised side,” Croatia coach Niko Kovac said.

“We are considered favourites at home, but we have to confirm that on the field. We have shown our group rivals our quality and good form, and we have to continue on this path.

“We will not slow down, not even one per cent.”

Elsewhere, midfielder Daley Blind insists he is happy to take on more responsibility ahead of today’s crucial qualifier, with Holland missing some big names due to injury.

The Dutch, third in Group A, face Turkey with six points to make up on leaders the Czech Republic and three on second-placed Iceland.

Two defeats and two wins in four qualifiers so far leave Guus Hiddink’s men in a tricky situation, which is not helped by the absence of Blind’s Manchester United team-mate Robin van Persie and Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben.

However, the 25-year-old Blind is ready for the challenge, and told De Telegraaf: “Subconsciously, I notice my status has changed. It adds a sense of responsibility.”

The Czechs may be flying high in Group A but star name Petr Cech is not about to take second-bottom Latvia lightly, especially having seen the Latvians’ abilities first-hand during Euro 2004 – Cech conceded a goal but the Baltic country lost 2-1.

In qualifying for next year’s showpiece, Cech and his team-mates have capped their 2-1 win over Holland with victories by the same scoreline against Turkey and Iceland respectively, around a 4-2 success against Kazakhstan.

However, Cech said: “They will play like all teams on their level – (it will be) based on consistent defence and relying on breakaways.

“The style will not change, so it will depend mainly on our performance. We are the clear favourite and definitely want to win.”

Group A

Playing today
Kazakhstan vs Iceland - 16.00
Czech Rep. vs Latvia - 18.00
Netherlands vs Turkey - 20.45

Group B

Playing today
Israel vs Wales - 18.00
Andorra vs Bosnia - 20.45
Belgium vs Cyprus - 20.45

Group H

Playing today
Azerbaijan vs Malta - 18.00
Croatia vs Norway - 18.00
Bulgaria vs Italy - 20.45