England will host Italy in the UEFA EURO 2024 8th qualification round of Group C match at the Wembley Stadium. The fixture will take place on Wednesday, October 18, beginning at 00:15 IST.
Parimatch News will tell you everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming match.
England News & Current Form:
In five qualification matches, the Three Lions drew only with Ukraine (1:1). In addition to Italy (2:1), they defeated Malta (4:0) and North Macedonia (7:0). Thus, they are in first place in the standings with 13 points. There is a high probability that they will win the group.
Although the English could already rest on their laurels and not worry about the result of the upcoming match with the Italians, if they had not lost points in October in the match with the Ukrainians. But then the players could not convert all the chances and take 3 points instead of one.
Then by the will of the calendar the England national team missed two game days and played two consecutive friendlies, in which they also did not allow themselves to relax. First, a team from Scotland was beaten in a crucial match (1:3), and last Friday the distant guests from Australia came to Foggy Albion (1:0).
The Socceroos must be given credit, the team played a great match and in some components even outperformed the hosts. Another thing is that Gareth Southgate got a field for experiments and put out not the main squad.
It is sufficient to say that Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane were on the bench, who did not even come on as substitutes, and the winning goal was scored by Aston Villa FC forward Ollie Watkins.
Author of the only goal in a friendly match against Australia – Ollie Watkins
In five meetings of qualification Gareth Southgate’s wards conceded only two goals (only France conceded less), while they scored 16. Five of them were scored by Harry Kane. He also scored two assists.
The top scorer of the national team has improved significantly after moving to FC Bayern Munich in the summer. In seven games in the Bundesliga, Kane scored eight goals and four assists.
Also on fire is the young star of Lions Jude Bellingham. In 10 games for Real Madrid CF in all official tournaments, the 20-year-old midfielder scored 10 goals and gave three assists.
In general, the squad of the English national team is fascinating. It is just about the strongest and most played squad, the depth is also admirable. Despite the fact that one place was vacated due to an injury to Bukayo Saka, not all of the players deserving of a call-up to the national team were honored to be included in the squad for the game against Italy.
For example, Southgate did not include James Ward-Prowse in the squad for the Euro 2024 qualification matches. Clubmate of the midfielder Michail Antonio criticized him for this decision. The West Ham United FC striker said that the coach’s words about selecting players based on current form are a thing of the past.
Instead of Ward-Prowse, the mentor called up Jordan Henderson, who moved to Al-Ettifaq in the summer. In a recent friendly against Australia, fans booed the player, which angered Southgate. He said he didn’t understand it at all. The gaffer said that the role of Liverpool FC ex-midfielder both on and off the pitch is phenomenal.
Italy News & Current Form:
The national team is also doing well in Euro 2024 qualification, but Italy has a big risk of not going to the tournament, because the Ukraine national team is on their heels. Even the upcoming match against the Three Lions will not be able to kill the intrigue, but Italy now just need points.
For 5 matches of the selection Italians lost only to England (1:2), although they could get points there. After the 1st half Italy was losing 0:2, but in the 2nd half they became active and tried to equalize the score. They managed to reduce the gap, but not to equalize. Italy simply crushed England in the 2nd half – this suggests that in the upcoming match the Azzurri are able to give a fight to the pioneers of football.
Now Italy occupy 2nd place in their group, having the same number of points with Ukraine (10 points each) and a game in reserve. The situation is in the hands of Luciano Spalletti’s wards – is the team able to pick up and go to Euro 2024 or will it sag under pressure?
It is worth noting that the Italians had a change of coach right in the middle of the qualifying tournament. Most often it happens because of unsatisfactory results of the team, but this case is a bit different. Firstly, under Roberto Mancini, the Azzurri won the Euros, and this achievement alone outweighs all other failures.
Twice in a row the team reached the semifinals of the UEFA Nations League. But at the same time, the Italian national team did not qualify for the last two FIFA World Cup competitions, which says a lot.
Sandro Tonali – one of the Italiannational team players involved in the gambling scandal
Last season triumphant with SSC Napoli Luciano Spalletti took charge of the team in September on the eve of the match against Ukraine. In that game, the Italians showed themselves a determined team, the Yellow and Blues had no chance to win. The home match against Malta promised to be a simple game (2:0). By and large it turned out to be, but the events that preceded it, colored everything in a negative background.
National team players Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo were found guilty of betting on games, which is strictly forbidden. The midfielders did not deny the fact that they are fond of gambling.
However, they also stated that they favored poker and did not use illegal web platforms to place bets. Whether this is actually the case or not remains to be seen. Both are now facing disqualification. Both were called up to the national team but left the team. It cannot be said that they are irreplaceable, although Zaniolo was in the main squad against Ukraine, and Tonali is definitely a core player.
The Italians have three matches ahead of them, two of which will be away, moreover with their main rivals – the English and the Ukrainians. At home, they will face a rather uncomfortable opponent – North Macedonia.
England form guide: W-W-W-D-W-W
Italy form guide: W-L-W-D-W-W
England vs Italy Head-To-Head Record:
| England | Draw | Italy |
| 9 | 9 | 13 |
- June 11, 2022: England 0 – 0 Italy (UEFA Nations League);
- September 23, 2022: Italy 1 – 0 England (UEFA Nations League);
- March 23, 2023: Italy 1 – 2 England (UEFA EURO).
England vs Italy Predicted XI:
England’s possible starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier; Alexander-Arnold, Rice; Foden, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane.
Italy’s possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Dimarco; Frattesi, Locatelli, Barella; Berardi, Raspadori, Kean.
Statistical preview of the match England vs Italy:
- England’s First XI average age is 27.3 years, Italy’s First XI average age is 27.3 years.
- Team from England is ranked 4th in FIFA ranking, while the Italian team occupies 9th place.
- Clement Turpin has been appointed as the center referee. The referee has already served twelve games this season, showing an average of 2.5 yellow cards and also whistles 26.68 fouls per game.
- Italy have not lost in 6 of their last 8 matches against this opponent.
- In their last 5 games, England conceded an average of 0.40 goals per game and scored an average of 3.20 goals per game.
- In their last 5 games, Italy conceded an average of 1.20 goals per game and scored an average of 2.20 goals per game.
- England’s national team in 2020 became European vice-champion.
- The Italian national team is a four-time world champion and two-time European champion.
- England have an 8-match unbeaten streak in Euro qualification (7 wins and 1 draw). In these matches the team conceded only 2 goals.
- England scored at least 2 goals in 18 of the last 21 matches in European qualification.
- England have won all 12 previous matches in this tournament on their home field.
- Italy lost only 1 time in the last 45 matches of Euro qualifying (37 wins and 7 draws).
- On the road in this tournament Italians have a 22-match unbeaten streak (17 wins and 5 draws). In these matches, the Italians failed to score only 1 time.
What has been said before the match:
Gaffer of English team Gareth Southgate ahead of the game with Italy:
“I will always pick the players who I think are the best players to represent the team, that gives us the best chance of winning – unless I think there is something that is not appropriate. People may disagree with Jordan’s stance or decision but I don’t think that is a reason not to select him. I don’t actually think that it is a reason to boo him.”
“We would like the fans behind us, we are a stronger team if the supporters are with us. That’s the connection we have had for a long period of time. If I select a popularity contest, the team would look different.”
“Experience, Experience of winning big matches, consistent performances. We’ve been ranked in the top five in the world now since 2018, so I don’t think there’s been any other period over the last 30-40 years where that has been the case.”
“The first objective is always to qualify for the tournaments. Our performances earlier in the group have put us in a really strong position.
“The first thing we want to do is play well, win the game, but we know if it’s the 87th minute and we’re level, we know we don’t have to lob the goalkeeper into the box at the end of the game.”
Luciano Spaletti, recently appointed coach of Italian team, is confident that his team is ready for a fight on Wednesday:
“It’s a test to see where we’re at, what level we’re at, and it will help me to understand what our mindset is like, because we shouldn’t be expecting an easy ride.”
“Staying in your comfort zone will kill all your hopes and dreams. In order to find comfort, you need to experience situations that will help you to grow and test yourself so you can reach a higher level.”
“So, this is an important game for us. An international-level player must see this as a qualifying match and not think about the fixtures that lie ahead of us. Once the game is over, that’s it.”
“Our attitude will be to go there and play openly. We want to go there and show that we have our own history, our own potential, our own values. We’ll see who’s better on the night.”
“I’ve seen over the last 15 days that the key to success is having confidence in yourself, and the key behind feeling confident is preparation. Given how they have prepared, they are ready.”
England vs Italy Prediction:
England and Italy are the top two teams in the Group C standings at the moment, with the Lions in a much more favourable position, as they have three points more, and these were gained exactly in the first face-to-face meeting with the Italians. That battle took place in Naples, and now Gareth Southgate’s men will take on the Azures at Wembley, where the chances of success will be even greater. Moreover, the Red and Whites have a more cohesive, consistent and balanced squad with a track record of big successes, while the visitors have a lot of newcomers after their triumph at Euro 2020, and Luciano Spalletti is just getting to grips with his new workplace, and he naturally needs more time to form an optimal starting eleven and instill his trademark Napoli-like style.
At the same time, it is unlikely that we have reason to expect high goal-scoring activity from the upcoming clash. The last time England and Italy scored more than three goals in a match was back in 1974. At the same time, being in the leading positions of Group C, they have played one game less than their rivals. Even a defeat will not prevent either side from remaining in the top 2 in terms of points lost, and a draw certainly would not prevent them from leading positions, so they are unlikely to be in a hurry or forcing attacking action. The more experienced Lions will probably find a half-moment and realize it, but no more than that. We believe that the local crowd will enjoy the celebrations of victory.
Parimatch News staff prediction:
We say: England will win – Yes.
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