The road to Euro 2024 begins this midweek with the qualifying campaign. Games will be played across the continent, and with some of the competition’s biggest and best-known sides in action, followers are in for a treat. The most exciting games of the opening round will be shown live on television, including a repeat of the Euro 2020 final in London, where Italy beat England on penalties. Will we see England claim its revenge, or will Italy frank the form with another win against the Three Lions?
This fixture is big enough that it wouldn’t come as a major shock if both sides were to meet again in the final next summer. Nothing will be decided in this group game other than the destination of the first available three points. But both England and Italy connections will plan to lay down a marker and show they are serious about going all the way. This will be a two-horse racing between the Italians and the English for the pole position in Group C.
When looking through the stats and head-to-head scores attached to this fixture, we made some exciting discoveries that we’ll share throughout this page. The home team dominates the head-to-head scores with 11 wins against 11 draws and eight wins for England. The most recent game to be played on Italian soil was in the Nations League in September when Italy bagged a 1-0 win. Giacomo Raspadori scored the goal that day with 68 minutes on the clock.
Keep reading as our team of football experts presents the latest stats and trends, check out the injury news, and make our final predictions. Everything you need to enjoy and predict the outcome of the Italy v England game can be found on this page.
Italy is aiming for a fast start
Italy fans were disappointed and shocked after seeing their team miss out on a place at the World Cup in Qatar. After winning the European Championship on penalties in London, it was hoped the Italians would kick on from there and enjoy a period of success. Followers and the Italian media had hoped the side would do the double, entering the history books as one of the few sides to win the Euros and World Cup back-to-back. It wasn’t to be, and the Italians played no part in November and December’s games. But they are the reigning European champs and will want to defend their gong successfully.
This game is the perfect opportunity to get three points on the board as early as possible while delivering a blow to their rivals for the top spot in the pool. Points count double in this match as Italy and England have been picked as the teams to watch and the pair that will most likely be competing for pole position and an automatic place at next year’s championships in Germany. But it comes with risks, Italy knowing defeat at home on matchday one would hand a massive advantage to their opponents.
We last saw the Italians in action last November when they were beaten 2-0 away from home by Austria. The Austrians are a decent side and shouldn’t be taken lightly, but that was a game Italy expected to win without much fuss. Schlager broke the deadlock inside six minutes that day to stun Team Italy before Alaba added a second 10 minutes before the interval. Italy still had time on their side to claw it back, but the Austrians were solid in defence and worked hard to get the win.
England expects better
England was at the World Cup, and despite being one of the early favourites with punters to lift the trophy, they were beaten at the knockout stages. England did as expected during the group campaign, winning the pool ahead of the United States, who finished second. Having come through a difficult group with a near-perfect record, England fans expected a run to the final. Still, their team was stopped short by France, who eliminated their neighbours following a dramatic clash that included a missed penalty from Harry Kane.
Things didn’t go much better in the last UEFA Nations League when England suffered a nightmare campaign and was relegated from the A level to the B level. Gareth Southgate’s team must plot a course back to the head table, and it made matters worse for fans to see their team replaced by Scotland, who was promoted from B level to the top tier. Fans will be out in force to support England but demand more from the players.
England’s most recent outing was that game against France in the World Cup quarter-final, which Les Bleus won thanks to goals from Tchouameni and Giroud, with the former Arsenal striker scoring the winner. Olivier is enjoying a fairytale end to his international career, but the game was there to be won, and England knew it was an opportunity missed. Southgate and his players must show they are over that hurt and ready to return to winning in this competition.
Italy v England prediction
This will be a classic encounter, but it should be a tense and nervy 90 minutes. Both managers will set up to win the match, but the longer it remains level, the more likely they are to accept a draw. A level finish and point against your main rival for qualification would be a good result for England, and it wouldn’t be too bad for Italy.
European qualifiers odds
The pre-match betting odds available at 22Bet has Italy priced at 2.896 for the win, with England trading at 2.58 and the draw 3.125.
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