MY ACCOUNT
England’s hopes of staying in Nations League League A hang in the balance ahead of Friday night’s clash in Milan against Italy.
Four games in, the Three Lions are still searching for their first win in the competition and they are already out of contention to make next summer’s Nations League finals.
Italy, who beat England at Wembley in the final of Euro 2020, have problems themselves but have three points more on the board ahead of a big night at the San Siro.
Team news
Italy boss Roberto Mancini has already confirmed Lorenzo Pellegrini, Matteo Politano and Marco Verratti will play no part in September’s internationals.
Both Davide Calabria and Nicolo Zaniolo missed out on a place in the squad, while Leeds United’s Wilfried Gnonto and West Ham’s Gianluca Scamacca will hope to make an impact from the bench.
Lazio’s Ciro Immobile has not scored for Italy in 15 months, but he has notched four goals in his last six appearances for his club.
England boss Gareth Southgate has named Ivan Toney in his squad for the first time, but he is expected to play second fiddle to 50-goal captain Harry Kane.
Jordan Henderson has replaced Kalvin Phillips in the squad, while John Stones will serve a suspension after being sent off in the 0-0 draw against Italy in June.
Kyle Walker is a doubt due to an ongoing muscle injury, while Aaron Ramsdale is likely to start in goal with Jordan Pickford not part of the squad as he continues to recover from a thigh problem.
The stats
Italy and England have drawn each of their last four meetings, including the Euros final in July 2021 which Mancini’s men went on to win on penalties.
The Three Lions have struggled on their travels to Italy in the past, failing to win any of their previous five away matches against the Azzurri, with their last victory on Italian soil against them coming back in May 1961.
Southgate’s side are winless in their last four, with their most-recent victory coming in a friendly against Ivory Coast in March.
Italy’s form is not much better, though, with Mancini’s side only victorious in two of their previous nine games.
Prediction
Both Italy and England seem to have gone backwards since the Euro 2020 final last year, and it is tough to back a winner with much conviction.
England will want to start the build-up to the World Cup on a positive note and bounce back from the dreadful 4-0 home defeat to Hungary in their most recent game in June.
However, a draw looks the most likely outcome between two countries who often seem to cancel each other out, while under 2.5 goals also appeals in what is expected to be a tight game.
