England are back in action for the first time since the 2022 World Cup on Thursday night when their Euro 2024 qualification duties get underway against a familiar foe in Italy.
Gli Azzurri were absent from Qatar in December but the reigning European champions will linger in the memories of the Three Lions for quite some time having beaten them on penalties in the Euro 2020 final just under two years ago.
Can England get revenge or will Italy’s quest to retain their title get off to the perfect start in Naples? We take a look at the betting to see where the value is.
When: Thursday 23rd March, 2023
Where: Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, Naples, Italy
How To Watch: Channel 4
Kick-Off: 7.45pm
Italy: 15/8
Draw: 9/4
England: 6/4
England have failed to beat Italy since a 2-1 friendly win in 2012, going six games without victory. In fact, the Three Lions have failed to beat Italy in a competitive match since 1977.
Four of the last five meetings between these sides have been draws after 90 minutes, three of which finished 1-1. Italy ran out 1-0 winners when these two met in the Nations League last year with Giacoma Raspadori scoring the only goal of the game.
One positive for Gareth Southgate’s men is that they have only lost one of their 27 major tournament qualifiers under the manager.
England
Harry Kane – First (7/2), Anytime (6/4), Last (7/2)
Ivan Toney – First (4/1), Anytime (15/8), Last (4/1)
Phil Foden – First (13/2), Anytime (3/1), Last (13/2)
Bukayo Saka – First (13/2), Anytime (10/3), Last (13/2)
Italy
Mateo Retegui – First (5/1), Anytime (5/2), Last (5/1)
Domenico Berardi – First (6/1), Anytime (11/4), Last (6/1)
Vincenzo Grifo – First (13/2), Anytime (3/1), Last (13/2)
Gianluca Scamacca – First (13/2), Anytime (3/1), Last (13/2)
No Goalscorer (15/2)
Harry Kane can become England’s all time goalscorer if he scores on Thursday; the Tottenham Hotspur striker is currently on 53, equal with Wayne Rooney. Kane, who has scored two in his last two for the Three Lions, is in fine form in the league this season, with 21 goals to his name.
Bukayo Saka has been phenomenal for Premier League leaders Arsenal and has been instrumental in their title bid with ten goals and 12 assists in the competition. He’s the only English player in the PL to register 10+ of each.
No – 5/6
Yes – 5/6
England have kept clean sheets in three of their last four competitive matches but six of the last nine contests against Italy have seen both sides score.
Over – 6/5
Under – 8/13
Never expect much goalmouth action when these nations collide. Of the last 13 games between these two, only three saw more than 2.5 goals.
0.5 – Over (1/3), Under (9/4)
1.5 – Over (13/8), Under (4/9)
2.5 – Over (11/2), Under (1/10)
3.5 – Over (16/1), Under (1/80)
4.5 – Over (66/1), Under (1/500)
England have scored at least over 2.5 goals in four of their last six in all competitions, however they have only scored over 1.5 goals against Italy twice since 1977.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change