Friday 23rd September 2022 Nations League (Group A3) Italy v England 19:45

  • Met 29 times before, Italy 10, Draws 11, England 8
  • FIFA World Rankings, England 5, Italy 7
  • Last played (Nations League, 11th June 22), England 0-0 Italy
  • 3 of the last 4 head-to-heads ended 1-1 (90 mins)
  • Italy have lost just 1 of their last 10 vs England
  • 5 DRAWS in the last 7 head-to-heads
  • 9 of the last 12 head-to-heads went UNDER 2.5 GOALS
  • Both teams scored in 5 of the last 6 head-to-heads
  • England have conceded just 7 goals in their last 22 games
  • 3 of England’s last 4 games went UNDER 2.5 GOALS
  • Both teams DIDN’T score in 16 of England’s last 22 games
  • England have lost just two of their last 28 games (90 mins)
  • England have won 14 of their last 24 games ‘to nil’
  • Kane (England) is their current top scorer (50)
  • 3 of Italy’s last 7 games ended in DRAWS
  • Italy have conceded in 6 of their last 7 games
  • Both teams have scored in 4 of Italy’s last 6 games

 

Back to Nations League action this week with a whole host of games that include Italy hosting England at the San Siro.

The pair are in Group A3, with Hungary and Germany, with Italy in third with 5 points and England struggling a bit in fourth and just 2 points.

They last met in June this year Wolves’ Molineux Stadium and that ended in a 0-0 draw.

Prior to that the sides, of course also faced-off in the 2021 Euro Championships Final, which ended 1-1 in 90 mins and saw Italy eventually win on penalties.

The match betting ahead of Friday’s game could not be much tighter with both Italy and England priced at 2.62 and the draw 3.20!

In fact, the last 4 head-to-heads between the sides ALL ended in DRAWS, with three of the last four finishing 1-1 – you can back another 1-1 correct score at 6.00.

Italy have also only lost one of their last 10 vs England, while it could pay to note that both teams scored in 5 of the last 6 meetings – you can back both teams to find the back of the net at 1.83.

It’s also a match-up that’s not produced many goals unfortunately, with 9 of the last 12 head-to-heads going UNDER 2.5 GOALS, and with 3 of England’s last 4 games also seeing less than 3 goals scored then this is option at 1.70 is sure to be popular with punters too.

Looking at the scoring markets, it goes without saying England’s Harry Kane will be a popular pick to score his 51st England goal – he’s 6.00 (1st) or 2.75 (anytime), while Italy’s Ciro Immobile is 6.00 (1st) or 2.75 (anytime).

New England man Ivan Toney could also figure and if so, the Brentford striker might appeal at 7.50 (1st) or 3.25 (anytime).

Overall, it’s a game that England really need to get something out of if they want to be a force in this competition, as they’ve only got 2 points to date, but being away from home will be tricky for Southgate’s men and so the safer call is to stick with a low-scoring game at 1.70 and opt for the Under 2.5 Goals.

BEST BET: UNDER 2.5 GOALS @ 1.70