Prediction: Italy vs England

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

With all eyes turning to Wembley on Sunday night, England and Italy with face-off with the chance to be crowned European champions this weekend.

England

Starting with the hosts, while their 2-1 victory against Denmark in midweek might have been filled with controversy, it is hard to doubt that The Three Lions were not a worthy winner at Wembley. Eventually coming past extra-time drama in the capital, Gareth Southgate’s side have only continued to break records at this summer’s delayed European Championships. Reaching their first international final since their World Cup-winning exploits in 1966, The Whites have also managed to build off of that famous 2-0 victory against arch-rivals Germany on June 29th. With the mood in their camp likely to be at a red-hot high and backed by a noisy home support this weekend, the former U21’s boss will also be excited by the fact that Harry Kane has found his goal-scoring touch at a vital time. Converting his rebounded penalty in extra-time and sending England back to Wembley on Sunday night, the Tottenham striker has four goals in his last three European contests.

Team News

Manchester City’s Phil Foden was forced to miss training on Saturday morning as a precaution.

Gareth Southgate is expected to select the same starting XI that came past Denmark earlier in the week.

Italy

As for the visitors, much England, Italy had to battle their way through what was another high-tension night at Wembley earlier in the week. Needing penalties to come past fellow European heavyweights Spain on Tuesday, The Blues have only continued on what has been nothing short of a stunning resurge over the past three years. Despite failing to book a spot out in Russia at the 2018 World Cup finals, Roberto Mancini’s side have broken a host of records on their remarkable unbeaten run. Opening up this summer’s delayed tournament with a thumping 3-0 win against dark horses Turkey, the former Manchester City boss now finds his side in the midst of a 14-match winning run across all formats, a run that stems all the way back to a 1-1 draw against Holland back in October. Also, along with breaking a national team unbeaten record that had previously stood for over eight decades, Mancini has already seen his side come past the likes of Spain and Italy so far this summer.

Team News

Full-back Leonardo Spinazzola will once again miss out on Sunday night after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Much like England, Italy are expected to go with the same starting XI that beat Spain on penalties in midweek.

Key Factors to Consider

• The last time Sunday’s opponents met on the major tournament stage, Italy picked up a 2-1 victory in the 2014 World Cup finals.
• Across all formats, each of the last four meetings between Italy and England have finished with both teams finding the net.
• Denmark’s goal against England on Wednesday night was the first goal that The Three Lions have conceded this summer.
• Harry Kane has scored four goals in his last three knockout matchups.
• Including extra-time, seven of Italy’s last eight matchups across all formats have finished with over 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

With both Italy and England coming through incredibly nervy nights at Wembley earlier in the week, we could have another nail-biting affair on our hands in the capital. Sneaking their way past Denmark thanks to Harry Kane’s controversial penalty, The Three Lions are a nation really riding a wave and they have only continued to build off of that famous victory against Germany on June 29th. However, while many have tipped Gareth Southgate’s squad as the standout pick this summer, a hugely impressive Italian side will have something to say about that. Coming past fellow heavyweights Spain and Belgium over the past week and continuing to break records, we really do have a mouth-watering contest on our hands. With each of the last four meetings between Sunday’s finalists across all formats finishing with both teams finding the net, a similar outcome appears at attractive odds this weekend.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Unibet