England welcome Italy to CBS Arena, Coventry, in the opening match of matchday two in 2023 Arnold Clark Cup.
Victory would see England stay top of the table and move onto the verge of the title if Belgium lose to South Korea in the late kick-off, whilst Italy could go second for a few hours at minimum with a win.
Team News
Keira Walsh is set to return for England after she missed their dominant win over South Korea due to illness.
Jordan Nobbs, Lauren Hemp and Rachel Daly meanwhile are amongst various players looking to start, having been named as substitutes on Thursday (16 February) evening.
Italy have no fresh injury concerns after their loss to Belgium but manager, Milena Bertolini could opt to rotate her squad and bring in Manuela Giugliano, Valentina Giacinti and others into the starting line-up.
When is Kick-Off?
England host Italy at CBS Arena in Coventry on Sunday 19 February in a 3:15pm GMT kick-off, with the game broadcast live on ITV1 in the UK plus streamed live on ITVX if unable to watch on a TV screen.
Stat Attack
- England have lost just one of their last six meetings against Italy in all competitions (W4, D1, L1).
- Italy are unbeaten in six of their last seven away matches against England on English soil (W3, D3, L1).
- England have never kept a clean sheet when at home against Italy in seven previous meetings across all competitions.
- Three of Georgia Stanway’s four goals for England post-Euros have been scored from the penalty spot.
- Italy have conceded five goals in their last four matches in all competitions (L4), during which they scored just once – in a 2-1 defeat against Belgium in their Arnold Clark Cup opening match.
Prediction
Despite enjoying a dominant opening victory over South Korea in which their attacking intensity and pressing were excellent, England did struggle with their end product for much of the first half which must improve here if they want to maintain their unbeaten run.
Italy meanwhile were lacklustre for much of their defeat against Belgium in which their defence were easily broken down repeatedly, yet there were promising positives going forward which they can build upon with fresh rotation and more experience.
This England team though is much different from previous versions which have met Italy because they’re more confident, dangerous and possess incredible depth plus quality, unlike any former side and I can see them clinching another win if they play like they did against South Korea.
Prediction: England 2-1 Italy
Result: England 2-1 Italy
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