ENGLAND will set out to secure their place at Euro 2024 when they welcome Italy to Wembley on Tuesday night.
Gareth Southgate's side are three points clear of the Italians at the top of Group C and know that a victory here would rubber-stamp their ticket to next summer's showpiece with two games to spare.
An experimental and inexperienced England line-up warmed up for this week's showdown with Italy with a narrow 1-0 friendly win over Australia night.
Back under the arch this midweek, the Three Lions will look to file another three points at the expense of reigning European champions Italy and secure top spot in the process.
The Azzurri have actually embarked on a mini-revival of sorts by taking seven points from the last nine on offer to move up to second place in the section.
Last time out, Luciano Spalletti's side made light work of Malta in a 4-0 stroll to a victory in Bari, on a night where my recommended Bet Builder banked.
Outright Betting
England, who remain unbeaten in Euro 2024 qualification, are short priced 4/6 favourites with Ladbrokes.
Italy and England played out a 1-1 draw at Wembley in the final of Euro 2020 but the same outcome here is an unfancied 13/5 (PaddyPower) while an Italian triumph is also deemed unlikely at 5/1 (Betfred).
Betting Angles
Here, I think the hosts are if anything a tad short, so I'll instead back their talisman Harry Kane to score anytime at 13/10 with Betfred.
The Three Lions skipper became England's record goalscorer when he notched in March's reverse fixture against Italy and his goal-scoring exploits for his country are showing no signs of slowing down.
Since netting that landmark goal in Naples, Kane has swiftly added another five goals to his international haul of goals and he will fancy his chances of adding to his historic tally against the Italians.
While the Azzurri have long held a reputation as one of the most well-schooled sides on the international circuit, their defensive standards have slipped significantly since conquering the continent in 2021.
In fact, Italy have failed to shutout their opponents in seven of their nine assignments over the last 12 months, with their only clean sheets coming in each of their two Group C meetings with minnows Malta.
Such defensive fragility doesn't augur well ahead of a trip to Wembley on Tuesday night, so much so that England's chief tormentor Harry Kane looks worth taking to grab a goal here at 13/10 with Betfred.
Elsewhere, I'll also have a small play on Italy's Nicolò Barella to commit a foul at 10/11 with Bet 365.
The Italian midfielder has averaged 1.3 fouls per-game during this particular qualification campaign so the 10/11 (Bet 365) on at least one offence here against such star-studded opposition holds plenty of appeal .
This Euro 2024 match between England and Italy will be played on Oct 17, 2023 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best England vs Italy prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
