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England vs Italy
11 July 20000hrs
Football – International – Euro 2020
Pick Draw
Bookmaker Paddy Power
Odds: 2/1 odds taken 2000 GMT, Thursday 8 July
After four weeks of action, drama and entertainment, England face Italy at Wembley on Sunday in the final of Euro 2020 with both nations hoping to be crowned European Champions.
Table of Contents
England Preview – Can England become champions of Europe for the first ever time?
England and their manager Gareth Southgate have already made history this tournament by reaching the final of a European Championships for the first ever time. The semi-final was as far as they had gotten beforehand but you sense it’s not enough. They now need to win it. Southgate’s men topped their group taking seven points from three games and kept clean sheets in each of them.
They then faced their old foes Germany in the second round and got over a first major hurdle – one which they have crashed into on a number of occasions before. That’s when England’s tournament began properly and they duly dispatched Ukraine in the quarter-finals – their first and only match outside of London.
Wednesday’s semi-final against Denmark was a nail-biter, not least because they went behind, conceding their first goal of the competition. The reaction was everything Southgate would have wanted and England dominated for long spells of the game. They appeared fitter and stronger going into extra-time and although fortunate with how their goals came about, are deserving of their place in the final.
Southgate will now decide whether to stick with the same team as Wednesday with the biggest selection headache likely to be who plays wide right in the forward area. Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling will definitely play and the two have combined for seven goals in the tournament so far.
Italy Preview – Will Italy be kings of Europe for a second time and the first in over 50 years?
Italy have been the most impressive team for many in Euro 2020 and they are now within a game of being crowned the best in Europe for just the second time. It’s somewhat surprising considering they have won the World Cup four times. Roberto Mancini’s team are unbeaten in 34 international matches with their last defeat coming against the current European Champions, Portugal, in September 2018.
Italy have won all their games at Euro 2020 as well – the only team to have managed that. They were comfortably too good for Turkey, Switzerland and Wales in the group stage but did find life more difficult against Austria and Belgium – winning 2-1 on both occasions but requiring extra-time for the former.
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That set up a mouth-watering clash against Spain in the semi-final and it was a game that did not disappoint. The Italians were second best at times but were able to show a different side to their game as they ground out extra-time to win the game on penalties.
Italy have made it to the final twice since their solitary victory back in 1968. An agonising golden goal loss to France at Euro 2000 was the closest they have come as Spain blew them away in the final of Euro 2012. They will be hoping it’s third time lucky.
England vs Italy Betting Advice
It’s hard to argue against England and Italy being the two most consistent teams of Euro 2020 and deserving of their place in Sunday’s final. Both have enjoyed some fortune en route but that is also in-keeping with being successful at tournaments like this.
Big matches are often determined by who gets the upper hand in midfield. Italy have the edge in quality in that department with Jorginho dictating play. They had to concede possession in the semi-final against Spain but had 56% possession per game on average before that – second only to the Spanish. Where England have the edge is in attack and the goals of Kane and Sterling.
Key Facts – England vs Italy Betting Tip
- England are playing in their first ever European Championship final following victory over Denmark
- Italy’s penalty shootout win over Spain in the semi-final is the first time they have had less possession than an opposition team in the tournament
- The last times these teams played each other in the Euros was back in 2012 – Italy were victorious in penalties on that occasion
This is likely to be a game of fine margins. Both teams required extra-time (penalties in Italy’s case) at the semi-final stage and Sunday’s encounter could well be the same. Back the draw after 90 minutes.
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