Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon hopes to have cause for a double celebration when his team take on the Czech Republic in Tuesday night's World Cup qualifier in Turin.

Victory at the Juventus Stadium would secure the Azzurri a place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, while the game could also see Juventus goalkeeper Buffon equal the record of 136 international appearances set by former Italy captain and defender Fabio Cannavaro.

"I am getting old so it's a great satisfaction to reach this number," Buffon told reporters. "As a player, you also enjoy these achievements.

"But it will only be a party if my team-mates and I are able to book a ticket to next year's tournament in Brazil.

"I hope that the game in Turin can be a celebration for everyone."

Buffon, a world champion in 2006, made crucial saves to help his team record a 1-0 triumph over Bulgaria in Palermo on Friday.

The result kept the four-time world champions unbeaten in qualifying and lifted them seven points clear of Bulgaria at the top of Group B with three games remaining.

"I am happy with my performance," Buffon said. "When you work well and you feel useful that makes it all the more rewarding."

The Azzurri have won five of their seven qualifying games and will be bolstered by the return of AC Milan playmaker Riccardo Montolivo as well as strikers Mario Balotelli and Dani Osvaldo - all three players back from suspension.

Southampton striker Osvaldo is set to partner Balotelli up front with veteran striker Alberto Gilardino, who scored the winner against Bulgaria, set to be relegated to the bench.

Italy will, however, be without injured defenders Ignazio Abate and Luca Antonelli.

The Czech Republic travel to the Juventus Stadium in desperate need of a victory having conceded a stoppage-time goal to lose 2-1 against Armenia in Prague on Friday.

The loss, their second in qualifying, meant Michal Bilek's side missed a golden chance to leapfrog Bulgaria into second place.

The Czechs are one point behind Bulgaria and level on nine points with Armenia and Denmark.

"We are in a complicated situation," Bilek said. "Now we have to win all of our games, including the one against Italy."

The last time both sides met was in June where the Czechs shared a goalless draw with Italy in Prague.

Bilek's men still have to face bottom-side Malta and end their qualifying campaign at Bulgaria on October 15.