England v Italy 1x2 Predictions and betting tips

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
England v Italy 1x2 Predictions and betting tips World Cup 2014, International	15/06/2014 00:00	full time result	Draw	3.00	Bet at B
Betting prediction was written by Dan Adair

ENGLAND v ITALY: QUALIFICATION

England qualified with ease in the end, topping quite a tough group including Ukraine, Poland and Montenegro. England won 6 and drew 4 of 10 to finish unbeaten, scoring 31 goals in the process. England have selected a younger squad than normal and this may actually benefit them. Italy finished with an identical record to England (6 wins and 4 draws) but had a tougher group. Italy headed Czech, Armenia, Denmark and Bulgaria.

THE ENGLAND SQUAD

Coach: Roy Hodgson

Goalkeepers: 1.Joe Hart (Man City), 13.Ben Foster (WBA), 22.Fraser Forster (Celtic).

Defenders: 2.Glen Johnson (Liverpool), 5.Gary Cahill (Chelsea), 6.Phil Jagielka (Everton), 16.Phil Jones (Man United), 12.Chris Smalling (Man United), 3.Leighton Baines (Everton), 23.Luke Shaw (Southampton).

Midfielders: 4.Steven Gerrard *C* (Liverpool), 8.Frank Lampard (Chelsea), 7.Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), 14.Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), 15.Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), James Milner (Man City), 19.Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), 20.Adam Lallana (Southampton), 21.Ross Barkley (Everton).

Forwards: 10.Wayne Rooney (Man United), 11.Danny Welbeck (Man United), 9.Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), 18.Rickie Lambert (Southampton).

You know exactly what your getting with England and this squad is no different. Solid defence, holding midfielders and pacey wide men.  New striker Daniel Sturridge is in tremendous form for Liverpool.  There are few suprises here and England should be able to make the knockout stages.

THE ITALY SQUAD

Coach: Cesare Prandelli

Goalkeepers: 1.Gianluigi Buffon *C* (Juventus), 12.Salvatore Sirigu (Paris St Germain), 13.Mattia Perin (Genoa).

Defenders: 15.Andrea Barzagli, 19.Leonardo Bonucci, 3.Giorigo Chiellini (all Juventus), 20.Gabriel Paletta (Parma), 7.Ignazio Abate, 2.Mattia De Sciglio (both AC Milan), 4.Matteo Darmian (Torino).

Midfielders: 21.Andrea Pirlo, 8.Claudio Marchisio (both Juventus), 5.Thiago Motta, 23.Marco Verratti (both Paris St Germain), 16.Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), 6.Antonio Candreva (Lazio), 18.Marco Parolo (Parma), 14.Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina).

Forwards: 9.Mario Balotelli (AC Milan), 10.Antonio Cassano (Parma), 11.Alessio Cerci (Torino), 17.Ciro Immobile (Torino), 22.Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli)

Same sentiments for Italy too, you know what to expect but stopping them is another thing. Have quality in all areas and a strong back up bench too. The spine of the side is exceptional and they have a few game breakers too in Pirlo, Balotelli and Cassano. Experience of the big stage and tournament knowhow in abundance. 

WARM UP GAMES

A mixed bag for England who are unbeaten in three games but have not overly impressed. A 3-0 win over Peru at Wembley was a good performance but Peru were awful. A 2-2 draw with Ecuador in US was entertaining enough but will be remembered for 2 red cards as the game descended into a farce.  A 0-0 draw with Honduras was a poor performance too but the game will be more remembered as the 1^st England match interrupted by a lightening break.

Italy have had a weird run up to this tournament – two draws 0-0 with Ireland and 1-1 with Luxembourg. Both games were very light with Italy not really pressing in either match. Very low key and seeming to offer anything insightful. Last match was a humdinger, a 5-3 win of Fluminense in Brazil. Striker Ciro Immobile gave coach Prandelli a headache with a hattrick but his headache will worsen after a terrible defensive effort. 

MATCH ANALYSIS

Both teams mantra here will be simply not too lose. I have no doubt if this was a one off winner takes all game Italy would be favoured to go through. As it stands though mutual respect here and the unwillingness to take chances will see both teams stand off each other. A draw looks nailed on here for me and is one of the best bets of opening round of matches.

BETTING TIPS 1X2

We tipped this up in our original preview two weeks back and the odds have dropped since then. You can still get 3.00 (2/1) – Both teams cannot and will not open up here. Italy are usually cautious and tend to  open up slowly. England, especially under Hodgson will be conservative too.

Back The draw at 3.00 (2/1) with Bet365.

• Bet now at B

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