UEFA Italy vs England Odds: Big Rivals Looking for Bragging Rights

Italy and England Renew Rivalry Amid Struggles

UEFA Italy vs England Odds: Conventional wisdom has been turned on its head as Hungary leads UEFA Nations League A, Group 3. Currently, the Hungarians are ahead of Germany, Italy, and England, in that order. This is a big match as Italy is still very much in the running to win the group.

Meanwhile, an England loss would clinch the Three Lions’ relegation to Nations League Group B. Let’s cover the UEFA Italy vs England odds and preview the match.

UEFA Nations League – Italy vs England Game Info:

• Location: Stadio San Siro, Milan, Italy
• Date & Time: Friday, September 23, 2:45 P.M. EST

Head-to-Head

Italy and England played to a scoreless draw in June at the Molineux Stadium. In fact, each of the last four meetings has finished in 90-minute draws. Of course, the Azzurri defeated England in penalties in last year’s European Championship. The Three Lions have managed to win just one of their last ten matches vs Italy. However, you wouldn’t know it looking at the England betting odds for this match, as they show the same odds to win as Italy.

Italy’s Post-Euro Hangover

• UEFA Nations League Standings: 1-1-2, 3rd Place (Group 4)
• Suspensions: None

Since winning the European Championship last June, Italy has struggled to reach the same heights. They imploded in World Cup qualifying as they blew a lead in their group to Switzerland. Then, the Azzurri lost to North Macedonia in a playoff to miss out on Qatar 2022 entirely. Now, in the Nations League UEFA, Italy has won just one of their first four matches.

They lost 5-2 to Germany in their last match in June and were down 5-0 after 78 minutes. There are going to be some growing pains for Italy over the next few years as they move from the old guard to the new. Giorgio Chiellini is retired internationally and Lorenzo Insigne is unlikely to get called up while playing in MLS.

Talents like winger Wilfried Gnonto, center-back Alessandro Bastoni, and forward Giacomo Raspadori inspire hope for the future. They and plenty of others will get their chances as Roberto Mancini tries to rebuild the national team. Not all is lost, despite missing out on the World Cup twice in a row. Wins in the upcoming matches vs England and Hungary may be enough to win the group.

Pressure Builds on Gareth Southgate

• Standings: 0-2-2, 4th Place (Group 4)
• Suspensions: D John Stones

The loudest calls for Gareth Southgate to be sacked were after England’s 4-0 loss to Hungary in June. It was a second consecutive loss to the Hungarians for the Three Lions, which hasn’t happened since the 1960s. Now, England is staring at relegation from the Nations League A unless they can get a result in this match.

Southgate has come under fire again for including Harry Maguire in his squad but leaving out the in-form Ben White. Maguire has been consistently benched during Manchester United’s Premier League winning streak. Meanwhile, White has played a huge role for Arsenal, who currently top the Premier League table. Jadon Sancho is another notable omission from the England squad.

The Three Lions have failed to win a single match in the Nations League and have scored just one goal. Still, the UEFA Italy vs England odds price both teams to score at -120. England’s only goal in the competition so far wasn’t even from open play. Harry Kane converted on a late penalty to salvage a point vs Germany in June. Kane has been in good form with Tottenham and Brentford striker Ivan Toney has received his first-ever England call up. Perhaps Toney, a physical set piece specialist, can inject some energy into the side.

Odds & Preview

It’s important to know that only two of the last ten meetings have finished with more than two goals. This is almost always a low-scoring, defensive affair, and the UEFA Italy vs England odds reflect that. Under 2½ goals is priced at -140 odds but both teams to score sits at -120.

Italy and England are on level terms in this pick’em. The Azzurri and Three Lions are both priced at -160 odds to win but England hasn’t beaten Italy in a competitive match since 1977. With four consecutive 90-minute draws in this fixture, another one intriguingly shows +250 odds.

The last time these teams played, England had the bulk of possession but Italy’s lineup could look a lot different. Key midfielders Jorginho and Marco Verratti didn’t play the last time these two teams met. Their presence could potentially shift the midfield balance in Italy’s favor. Also, England’s number one GK Jordan Pickford is out injured. That most likely means Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale will start in the net.