Italy host England at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in their opening Group C qualifier for UEFA Euro 2024.
Victory would see either Italy or England go top of their group if can better the result of North Macedonia’s clash against Malta.
Team News
Uncapped Wladimiro Falcone, Alessandro Buongiorno and Mateo Retegui are in contention to make their senior debuts for Italy.
Ivan Provedel, Federico Dimarco and Federico Chiesa are ruled out through injury, with the former pair replaced by Marco Carsenecchi and Emerson Palmieri respectively.
England will be without goalkeeper, Nick Pope (pictured) after he withdrew from the squad and was replaced by Tottenham’s Fraser Forster.
Mason Mount (abdominal) and Marcus Rashford (knock) are also ruled out after they too withdrew from the squad.
When is Kick-Off?
Italy host England at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Thursday 23 March at 8:45pm CET (7:45pm UK time), with Channel 4 broadcasting the match live in UK.
Stat Attack
- Italy are unbeaten in their last six meetings against England in all competitions, excluding penalty shootouts (W2, D4).
- England are winless in their last eight matches against Italy played within Italy in all competitions (D2, L6).
- Italy are looking to keep three consecutive clean sheets against England for the very first time.
- Roberto Mancini’s Italy have scored first in each of their last three home games in all competitions (W2, D1).
- England have scored just one goal in their last three away matches (D1, L2), during which each of their two losses were by 1-0 result against Hungary and Italy in last year’s Nations League A Group Stage.
Prediction
Despite not looking particularly impressive in terms of attacking quality during their two Nations League meetings against England last year, Italy are still a dangerous team given their defensive robustiness yet currently lack much in-form firepower except for Vincenzo Grifo.
Their midfield therefore must step up if they’re to continue their excellent home form against England, otherwise their front attack will need to bring their best game and put their domestic ruts aside.
England meanwhile were like two different teams in terms of their Nations League and World Cup performances last year, but I do expect them to be fired up for this clash after a tough World Cup exit against France where small margins proved pivotal.
Gareth Southgate will also be pleased with the form of his players coming into this international window, although I do think he could of experimented slightly and brought in a fresh face like Brighton’s Solly March who is currently in strong form.
Italy away howver has been England’s Achilles heel for decades so I do expect this game to be close but if the likes of Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane bring their club form into this fixture, I fancy the Three Lions to spring a surprise.
Prediction: Italy 0-2 England
Result: Italy 1-2 England
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