Verdict: Both teams will score
Best odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Unibet
With all eyes on Wembley on Sunday night, England and Italy face off with a chance to be crowned European champions this weekend.
England
Starting with the hosts, while the 2-1 win over Denmark midweek may have been rife with controversy, it’s hard to doubt that the Three Lions weren’t a worthy winner at Wembley. Ultimately, overcoming the drama of overtime in the capital, Gareth Southgate’s side continued to break records only at this summer’s postponed European Championships. Reaching their first international final since the World Cup explode in 1966, the Whites also managed to reconstruct the famous 2-0 win over historic rivals Germany on 29 June. With the mood on their pitch likely to be skyrocketing and backed by loud cheering at home this weekend, the former Under-21 manager will also be thrilled that Harry Kane has found his scoring touch in a moment. vital. Turning his penalty back in extra time and sending England back to Wembley on Sunday night, the Tottenham striker has scored four goals in his last three European games.
Team news
Manchester City’s Phil Foden was forced to miss training on Saturday morning as a precaution.
Gareth Southgate is expected to select the same starting XI who overtook Denmark earlier in the week.
Italy
As for visitors, much of England, Italy had to make their way on what was another high-tension night at Wembley earlier in the week. Needing penalties to overtake Spain’s other European heavyweights on Tuesday, the Blues have only continued on what has been nothing short of an extraordinary recovery in the past three years. Despite failing to book a place in Russia for the 2018 World Cup finals, Roberto Mancini’s side broke a number of records in their extraordinary unbeaten streak. Opening this summer’s delayed tournament with a 3-0 win over Turkey’s dark horses, the former Manchester City manager now finds his team in the midst of a 14-game winning streak in all formats, one series dating back to a 1-1 draw against Holland in October. Plus, in addition to beating a national team unbeaten record that had previously held out for over eight decades, Mancini has already seen his side outrun the likes of Spain and Italy so far this summer.
Team news
Far defender Leonardo Spinazzola will jump once again on Sunday evening after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Just like England, Italy should go with the same starting XI who beat Spain on penalties midweek.
Key factors to consider
- The last time Sunday’s opponents met on the main tournament stage, Italy won 2-1 in the 2014 World Cup finals.
- In all formats, each of the last four meetings between Italy and England has ended with both teams finding the net.
- Denmark’s goal against England on Wednesday night was the first goal conceded by the Three Lions this summer.
- Harry Kane has scored four goals in his last three knockout matches.
- Including overtime, seven of Italy’s last eight games in all formats have ended with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
With Italy and England having incredibly nervous nights at Wembley earlier in the week, we may have another heart-pounding adventure on our hands in the capital. By sneaking past Denmark thanks to Harry Kane’s controversial penalty, the Three Lions are truly a nation on the wave and have only continued to build on the famous victory over Germany on 29 June. However, while many have pointed to Gareth Southgate’s side as the top pick this summer, an extremely impressive Italian side will have something to say about it. By overcoming other heavyweights from Spain and Belgium last week and continuing to break records, we truly have a mouth-watering race on our hands. With each of the last four meetings between Sunday’s finalists across all formats ending with both teams finding the net, a similar result appears with attractive odds this weekend.
Verdict: Both teams will score
Best odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Unibet
