Euro 2024 qualifiers: Italy vs England preview – how to watch, Team News
Italy vs England is set to be a pivotal game for the Euro 2024 Group C qualifier on Tuesday.
England will secure qualification if they win.
The last time these two teams faced each other under the Wembley Arch was the 2020 Euros final – where Italy won on penalties.
England’s last match was a friendly against Australia which, despite winning, the atmosphere was flat. England struggled to penetrate Australia’s backline and suffered some defensive issues of their own.
England rolled out some of its less established players, clearly, England boss Gareth Southgate wanted to get a feel of the younger talent. But all expect England’s finest will be in the starting lineup for tonight’s Italy match – including Jude Bellingham.
England’s 100% win record was broken by Ukraine after the match ended in a draw. But with 13 points in the bag, England only need to beat Italy to escape a top-two finish and even a draw would suffice if Ukraine – who have played a game more – are unable to beat resident minnows Malta.
If they win tonight they secure qualification with two games to spare.
If they don’t win, they still have another two games to secure qualification – Malta and North Macedonia next month.
The Three Lions are on a 12-game winning streak in Euros qualifiers at home, keeping clean sheets in 10 of those contests.
Italy dropped points in the section last month – being pegged back in a 1-1 draw with Macedonia.
Italy and Ukraine – both on 10 points – are only separated by head-to-head results and nothing can be decided regarding the Azzurri’s top-two chances before the end of the month, although they will have their Nations League ranking to fall back on should they be demoted below the silver medal position.
Italy missed out on the World Cup due to not qualifying and England avenged their 2020 Euros heartbreak beating Italy 201 seven months ago.
But Italy have not lost a continental qualifier away from home since 2006.
Team News
Bukayo Saka is the only England player not at camp – he left soon after he arrived with a hamstring injury.
England otherwise have a full team and Gareth Southgate will no doubt be making changes to the starting squad after the team’s uninspiring win over Australia.
Jordan Henderson is expected to drop to the bench to allow Declan Rice to come back in.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is likely to remain in midfield ahead of Kalvin Philips.
Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Jordan Pickford and Kyle Walker are set to return to the XI.
John Stones and Harry Maguire will likely be in defence.
In addition, Fagioli’s clubmate Federico Chiesa joined Ivan Provedel and Mattia Zaccagni on the injury withdrawals’ list with a muscular problem, so Sassuolo stalwart Berardi ought to strut his stuff on the right wing once more following his magnificent Malta display.
Bonaventura’s history-making strike may not be enough to keep fellow goalscorer Frattesi at bay, though, while Napoli skipper Giovanni Di Lorenzo should return at right-back, forcing Matteo Darmian out of the XI in the process.
England possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier; Alexander-Arnold, Rice; Foden, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane
Italy possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Dimarco; Frattesi, Locatelli, Barella; Berardi, Raspadori, Kean
Predictions
England 3-1 Italy
Italy has been hit with injuries as well as controversy as two of their midfielders had to leave the squad after being investigated by public prosecutors.
England will be a tough test for Italy with Jude Bellingham their likely target.
England will have to step up from their win over Australia, but with the senior team back in action, well-rested and on Wembley turf, we think England will seal qualification for the Euros 2024.
