England take on Italy tonight in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier in Naples.
Now into what is expected to be the final major tournament cycle of the Gareth Southgate years, the Three Lions are under more pressure than usual to convince on the grandest stages.
While there is always a certain expectation around the England team, all the work Southgate has done up until this point has built towards finally winning a major trophy.
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Narrowly beaten by eventual finalists France in the last eight at the World Cup in Qatar in December, next summer’s European Championship in Germany represents the last chance for a manager to have rebuilt the relationship between the national team and supporters to claim silverware.
One of the major criticisms levelled at Southgate is a perceived inability to beat bigger names. Italy, of course, came from behind to deny England in the delayed Euro 2020 final at Wembley and, despite problems of their own since and not even reaching the World Cup, offer stern competition for this Group C opener.
If England can get off to a winning start and put a difficult Nations League campaign behind them, confidence will only grow. Lose and doubts may start to creep in once more.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Italy vs England is scheduled for a 7.45pm GMT kick-off tonight on Thursday March 23, 2023.
The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples - formerly the Stadio San Paolo - will host the match.
Where to watch Italy vs England
TV channel: Italy vs England will be broadcast live on free-to-air television in the UK on Channel 4, with coverage starting at 7pm.
Live stream: All 4 will offer a live stream service online across mobile devices, laptops, games consoles and more.
Live blog: Follow all the action tonight via Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, with expert analysis from chief football correspondent Dan Kilpatrick in Naples.
Italy vs England team news
Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Acerbi, Spinazzola; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Berardi, Retegui, Pellegrini.
Subs: Falcone, Meret, Darmian, Emerson, Scalvini, Romagnoli, Pessina, Cristante, Tonali, Gnonto, Scamacca, Politano.
England XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Phillips, Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Grealish.
Subs: Trippier, Ramsdale, Henderson, Dier, Maddison, Chilwell, James, Guehi, Gallagher, Foden, Forster, Toney.
Italy vs England prediction
It’s always difficult to judge where national teams are when linking up for the first time in months. Still, given Southgate’s generally pretty conservative approach as well as the hostile atmosphere in Naples, a draw would seem a good result away from home.
A 1-1 draw.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
England have not beaten the Azzurri in a competitive match since the 1997 Tournoi de France, with Ian Wright and Paul Scholes scoring the goals.
Italy wins: 13
Draws: 9
England wins: 8
Italy vs England match odds
Italy to win: 7/4
Draw: 11/5
England to win: 13/8
