Italy vs England: How to watch on TV live stream, team news, lineups & prediction
By Tom Gott
Two nations in somewhat of an international slump face off on Friday as Italy and England collide in UEFA Nations League action.
Roberto Mancini's men failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and have picked up just five points from their four Nations League games, leaving them facing the real threat of relegation from the top tier of the competition.
They need a win against an England side who sit rock bottom of Group 3 with just two points from four games, with Gareth Southgate's squad looking to jump out of the relegation zone with a two-goal victory.
Here's all you need to know about this one.
Where are Italy vs England playing?
- Location: Milan, Italy
- Stadium: San Siro
- Date: Friday 23 September
- Kick-off Time: 19:45 BST / 14:45 EST / 11:45 PST
- VAR: TBC
- Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano (ESP)
Where can you watch Italy vs England on TV in UK, US, Canada?
- UK: Channel 4
- USA: ViX, fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN
Where can you watch Italy vs England highlights in UK, US, Canada?
- UK: Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel
- USA: England YouTube channel
- Canada: DAZN Canada YouTube channel
Italy vs England H2H results (Last 5 Games)
- Italy: 2 Wins
- England: 0 Wins
- Draws: 3
Current Form (Last Five Games)
- Italy: LDWDL
- England: WLDDL
Italy team news
The biggest blow for Italy is the absence of midfielder Marco Verratti. The PSG man picked up a calf injury on Monday night and Mancini has already confirmed he will miss this game, with Sassuolo's Davide Frattesi taking his place in the squad.
Matteo Politano and Lorenzo Pellegrini have both pulled out as well, with Manolo Gabbiadini joining instead.
With no World Cup football to look forward to this year, Mancini is taking the Nations League very seriously and declined to hand debut call-ups to too many new faces in favour of sticking with his experienced seniors.
Lazio’s Ivan Provedel, Empoli’s Guglielmo Vicario and Salernitana’s Pasquale Mazzocchi are in line for debuts.
Italy predicted lineup vs England
Italy Starting 11 (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Bonucci, Emerson; Jorginho, Barella, Tonali; Grifo, Scamacca, Gnonto
Bench: Vicario, Meret, Felipe, Gatti, Acerbi, Dimarco, Cristante, Pobega, Frattesi, Gabbiadini, Zerbin, Immobile
England team news
Kalvin Phillips was an ambition addition to Southgate's squad but the Man City midfielder won't play any part after a decision was made to send him for surgery on a niggling shoulder injury that may put his involvement at the World Cup at risk.
In his place comes Liverpool's Jordan Henderson, who missed out on the original squad announcement through injury but is now thought to be fit enough to play some role.
There's a potential debut on the cards for Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who faces the unenviable task of winning a place from captain Harry Kane.
England predicted lineup vs Italy
England Starting 11 (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; James, Tomori, Maguire, Trippier; Bellingham, Rice; Saka, Mount, Sterling; Kane
Bench: Pope, Henderson, Alexander-Arnold, Dier, Shaw, Coady, Henderson, Ward-Prowse, Abraham, Foden, Grealish, Toney
Italy vs England prediction
The two Euro 2020 finalists haven't looked good enough of such a reputation since the tournament's conclusion, with both squads evidently exhausted after a hectic 12 months.
This meeting isn't about glory, but rather survival. England will be relegated if they lose and a draw could all-but seal their fate ahead of a final meeting with Germany later in the week.
England will go all-out, but so will Italy, who have nothing but their reputation to fight for.
Southgate's squad is stronger on paper but is made up of a number of players who have struggled in 2022/23, which raises questions about their fluidity and match fitness ahead of such an important game.
It might not be another thriller, but Italy will be confident of edging out a narrow victory.