England vs Italy betting tips: UEFA Nations League preview, predictions and odds

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England have only won two of their last 15 meetings with Italy, claiming victory in Nantes at Le Tournoi in 1997 and a friendly in Bern a decade ago. Of course, the two drew 1-1 in last summer's European Championship Final, Italy prevailing on penalties, meaning Gli Azzurri are unbeaten in five games against England in England, dating back to 1977. 

Both teams to score NO is 8/11.

Both teams to score NO and under 2.5 goals is 21/10.

England to win and both teams to score NO is 7/4.

Harry Kane has now scored 50 England goals, netting at 21 different venues for his country. He is 9/2 to break the deadlock and 8/5 to add to his two Molineux goals scored for Spurs.

Match preview

335 days on from their meeting in the European Championship Final at Wembley, England and Italy meet once again, this time in the Black Country.

Last summer, following a 1-1 draw, Italy lifted the trophy after Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka missed from 12 yards.

In the subsequent 12 months, a lot has happened, and not much of it good from an Italian point of view.

Gli Azzurri failed to qualify for a second successive World Cup, this time embarrassingly losing in the play-offs at home to minnows North Macedonia.

With no tournament to look forward to at the end of the year, Roberto Mancini is using these Nations League games to blood some youngsters.

That's after he put out a very strong side at Wembley in the Finalísima and they were demolished 3-0 by Argentina.

Subsequently, Italy have faced two home games in this competition, first drawing 1-1 with Germany; Lorenzo Pellegrini on target in Bologna.

Then, on Tuesday, Nicolò Barella scored a lovely opener with Pellegrini netting again as the European Champions beat Hungary 2-1 in Cesena.

So, this actually means last year's Nations League semi-finalists are top of Group A3, although this hasn't led to too much fanfare.

To date, Gli Azzurri have only lost two of 14 matches in this competition, beating by Portugal in 2018 and then Spain during October's finals.

Will this still be the case after Italy's visits to the West Midlands?

England in contrast sit rock bottom of this section, needing points to avoid an ignominious relegation down to League B.

On matchday one, the Three Lions put in one of their worst displays for many a year, slumping to defeat at the Puskás Aréna against Hungary.

Three days later, despite being outplayed for an hour or so, Gareth Southgate's side managed to leave Munich with a respectable and useful point.

The visitors were awarded a rather soft penalty just two minutes from time, with the ever-reliable Harry Kane slotting it home.

Now, with back-to-back home games against Italy and Hungary to come this week, England will very much be looking to climb up this group.

Will England beat Italy on home soil for the first time since 1977?

England team news

Gareth Southgate deployed a back three in Budapest before switching to a four on Tuesday; it'll be interesting to see what he goes for here.

Either-way, Trent Alexander-Arnold will not feature after he was sent on holiday early following the Germany draw.

In the middle, Fikayo Tomori will be hoping to win just his third cap having won the Scudetto with A.C. Milan mere weeks ago.

At left-back, with Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw injured, and James Justin a doubt, Kieran Trippier is likely to keep his place.

Kalvin Phillips hobbled off just 12 minutes into the Germany game, meaning Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are likely to be the midfield pairing.

Further forward, Phil Foden isn't 100% fit while Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford haven't been included in the squad.

With Jack Grealish preferred as an impact substitute, Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka could keep their places.

Tammy Abraham, who scored 27 goals from Roma this season, will be hoping for some minutes, but captain Harry Kane always plays up top.

Italy team news

Roberto Mancini's team is incredibly hard to predict; 24 different outfield players have started for Italy this month, with 36 featuring in total.

It's no exaggeration to say that goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is literally the only player guaranteed to start here.

A whole raft of players were sent on holiday following the Finalísima, so it's easier to run through who won't play. These include:

Giorgio Chiellini, who's retired, Leonardo Bonucci, Emerson, Jorginho, Marco Verratti, Federico Bernardeschi, Nicolò Zaniolo and Lorenzo Insigne.

Winger Wilfried Gnonto, who won Swiss the title with FC Zürich this season, has been catching the eye on the left-flank.

Lorenzo Pellegrini, who's scored in both Nations League games, Manuel Locatelli and Nicolò Barella could form a strong midfield trio.

Alessandro Bastoni will be their leader at the back; he's the heir to throne that is the Chiellini-Bonucci axis at centre-back.

Up front, Gianluca Scamacca is a doubt, so his Sassuolo teammate Giacomo Raspadori could lead the line.

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