Italy vs. England EURO 2024 Qualifiers: Preview, Odds, Predictions (March 23)

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March 21, 2023

Old foes England and Italy will kick off their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign this week when the two sides go head to head at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples on Thursday.

There’s no love lost between the two European heavyweights and multiple storylines intersect here with both sides looking to turn a corner on the international stage.

The Italians beat England at Wembley to be crowned European Champions back in 2021, but then failed to qualify for the Qatar World Cup after a shock 1-0 loss to North Macedonia on home soil.

It was the second time of asking that the Azzurri had failed to reach the World Cup Finals - meaning the Italians will have been absent for 12 years should they make it to the 2026 competition.

England finished bottom of their Nations League group early last year only to bounce back and produce a solid run to the quarter finals in Qatar.

But a 2-1 last eight loss to France was a bitter pill to swallow Gareth Sothgate and his side. The English dominated the game and could have gone ahead early in the second half, only for hitman Harry Kane to sky his penalty and miss the chance to reach a second semi final in a row.

Despite their improvement under Southgate England still lack the ability to close out games at the highest level, with the Three Lions still seeking a first piece of silverware since they last won the World Cup back in 1966.

Prior to the World Cup last summer Italy produced a solid run of results to claim the top spot in their UEFA Nations League group - going unbeaten against England with a 0-0 draw away and a 1-0 win at home.

Meetings between these two sides tend to be low scoring games, with Roberto Mancini’s side the masters of the cattenaco and low block. England will be without Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford, who picked up a knock on the weekend.

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But Rashford’s omission could hand a starting place to Brentford’s Ivan Toney, who has 16 Premier league this season - making him the third highest scorer in the division behind only Harry Kane and Earling Halaand.