Switzerland scored its first Davis Cup victory against Italy when the two nations last met in 1999 but Italy holds a 3-1 lead in their head-to-head series.
Having won promotion back to the World Group last year Switzerland lost to USA in this year's 1st round and now looks to clinch a 20th appearance in the World Group by winning this tie and qualifying for next year's elite.
Italy has qualified for the World Group Play-offs for the 3rd time in the last 5 years. It last played in the World Group in 2000.