ENGLAND VS ITALY PREVIEW & PREDICTION
On March 27, at 19:00, England receives Italy’s own homecoming in a friendly match that will help Gareth Southgate find the ideal formula for the 2018 World Cup. England comes after a victory with the Netherlands (1 -0), while Italy just lost to Argentina (0-2) and looks like it has big problems.
It is seen in Italy that generational exchange has been made with great difficulty. The Squadra comes after a series of modest results, scoring one goal in the last 4 games (against Albania), without winning any of the last 3. It was 0-1 with Sweden, 0-0 with all Nordic and a 0-2 disappointed with Argentina. Italy is in the offensive phase and the players who have been summoned lately have not risen to the expected level.
But Di Biagio is counting on many young men, such as Belotti, Cutrone, Chiesa, Verdi, Pelegrini, Gagliardini or Cristante, in an attempt to redefine national white-blue. Host players should be strong enough to block the danger from the rival camp. England‘s defensive performance was remarkable in front of Koeman’s Netherlands!
England looks good before the World Cup, even if it does not have Kane, injured. National Albion has a goalless win of 5 matches (!) And her favorite score has become 1-0 – recorded in each of the last three wins won. It was 1-0 with Slovenia, Lithuania and more recently with the Netherlands (gol Lingard), and Southgate was pleased with the offensive level shown by his students.
In a system of 3 central defenders, England knows how to absorb the pressure and has the power to block the lanes for the Italian strikers. The Wembley match will have an important stake in the pride, so both selectors will try to limit the number of personal errors. No wonder the English are favorites to win, because their game seems more consistent and better organized at the moment.
PREDICTION: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.54
