5 players to watch during the European playoffs for the 2018 FIFA World Cup

#1 Ciro Immobile (Italy)

FYR Macedonia v Italy - FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier

Italy are, without a doubt, the most talented team to take part in the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers' playoff round. But they will also engage in one of the most difficult battles to reach the tournament next year, as they will play against Sweden, another difficult team in their own right, and one with lots of interesting players (even if they don't have Zlatan Ibrahimovic anymore).

Gli Azzurri need to be at their best if they want to reach the World Cup. We know their stout defence gives them quite an edge against less experienced sides, as the combined experience between Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci is certainly a plus.

But, they can't rely solely on their defence, and they must be at full capacity of their attacking talent to defeat the Scandinavian side. And one player that needs to shine is Ciro Immobile.

The Lazio striker has been one of the most productive players in Europe during the current term, and already has 18 goals in 15 appearances across all competitions. If those numbers do not look impressive, what would you say if we tell you that he has been more productive than players such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Robert Lewandowski?

Yes, he has been THAT good. If he can replicate that form for his national team - something that has not quite happened yet - then Italy should breeze their way into yet another World Cup.