ENGLAND have the chance for Euro 2020 revenge tonight when Italy come calling in a Nations League blockbuster.
An expectant public was being whipped into a frenzy last summer as Three Lions fans dreamed of glory for the first time since 1966.
But it ended in penalty pain once more as Gianluigi Donnarumma emerged as the Azzurri hero.
That shoot-out defeat at Wembley left the English devastated but it’s Italy who are suffering now, with the national team missing out on the World Cup for a second successive time.
Their play-off semi-final loss to North Macedonia was one of the greatest shocks in history and there was more pain in store for the Italians.
They returned to Wembley earlier this month for the Finalissima and copped a 3-0 thrashing from South American champions Argentina.
That piled pressure on Roberto Mancini but the response has been decent in the Nations League with a 1-1 draw at home to Germany followed by a 2-1 victory over Hungary.
Italy are missing some of their big hitters though and the bookies don’t fancy their chances against England at Molineux tonight.
Gareth Southgate’s men have picked up just a point from their first two games but McBookie make them 3/4 hot favourites here with Italy as big as 15/4.
Every match between the big guns in this group has ended in a 1-1 draw so far and another stalemate pays 13/5 with Unibet.
Jack Grealish made a massive impact off the bench for England in their midweek draw with Germany and should be handed a start.
He’s 4/1 with Paddy Power for anytime scorer but an assist is more likely and that’s 3/1 at McBookie.
Italy had five players booked in that Euro 2020 final and Roma’s Gianluca Mancini appeals for a card at 21/10 (Bet365) if he starts.
The stopper has amassed an incredible 22 yellows and one red this season.
Germany should have too much firepower for Hungary in the other group game. I fancy them to be winning at
half-time and full time (11/10, BetVictor).
Belgium returned to form by thrashing Poland 6-1 in midweek and they should be too strong for Wales.
Roberto Martinez’s men can be backed at 13/14 with SBK and that looks decent value. Over 2.5 match goals also appeals at 19/20 with Sporting Index.
Turkey are way too strong for their rivals in Group C1, smashing 10 without reply so far. Backing them to be winning in Luxembourg at half-time and full-time pays 5/4 with Bet365.
Super singles
- Jack Grealish assist (3/1, McBookie)
- Gianluca Mancini to be carded (21/10, Bet365)
- Turkey HT-FT (5/4, Bet365)
- Belgium to win (13/14, SBK)
- Combining BTTS with over 2.5 goals at Molineux tonight pays 171/100
I'm a sports journalist, football tipster and author from Dundee, who is now working in Glasgow. I've covered games at every level, from Junior football to internationals, and still love football even though it has clearly sold its soul. I've been in football tipping since 2018 with the MFT site.
