Italy Host England In Tonight`s International Friendly

Italy will host England in an international friendly tonight following on from the two sides` dalliances in the European Championships 2016 qualifiers. Whilst tonight`s visitors managed to see off Lithuania in a stylish 4-0 win, Italy could only draw 2-2 with Bulgaria in their group.

Held in Bulgaria, it was the visitors who took the lead with the game four minutes young as defender Yordan Minev managed to put the ball past his own goalkeeper. This lead lasted for just a matter of minutes, however, as Bulgaria were able to both equalise and turn the game on its head before the 20 minute mark. It was Ivelin Popov who levelled up for the Bulgarians before a goal from attacker Iliyan Mitsanski saw them get their noses in front on the 17th minute.

The clash looked to be going the way of the home team before Eder Citadin Martins finally made sure the spoils were shared with his goal just six minutes from full time. The result means that the Azzurri currently sit in second place in Group H, two points off table toppers Croatia who have 13 points. Neither Croatia nor Italy have been beaten in their first five games. Antonio Conte`s Italy side sit two points above Norway in third.

Betvictor have the best price on Italy`s friendly with England ending as a 2-2 draw, that price being 19/1. Whilst 7/1 at most bookmakers says that Eder will score the last goal of the match once again, Coral`s 21/20 says that both teams will hit the back of the net tonight.

Four different players scored each of England`s goals in their home victory over Lithuania with Wayne Rooney breaking the deadlock just seven minutes into the game. Danny Welbeck, who is England`s current top scorer in the European Championships qualification stages, doubled his side`s advantage on the stroke of half time.

The second half saw Liverpool`s Raheem Sterling make it three and substitute Harry Kane, who had just been on the pitch for 80 seconds when bagging his goal, add a fourth. Betvictor have the best price of 150/1 on England being able to rack up consecutive 4-0 victories with another against Conte`s men tonight.

Most bookmakers have installed Rooney as the 6/1 favourite to break the deadlock in the night`s clash whilst Harry Kane, who is confirmed to start against the Azzurri, can be backed at 7/1 with most bookmakers to be the match`s last goalscorer. Nineteen-to-five (Betvictor) says that the Three Lions will be able to win to nil in Rome.

England`s triumph over Lithuania mean that they have gone six points clear at the top of Euro 2016 qualification group E. Slovenia and Switzerland both have nine points in second and third place. As well as being the only unbeaten team left in the group, England have only conceded one goal in their efforts to qualify for the tournament, scoring 15 times.

Despite this positive record it is the hosts who are the current favourites to run out the winners of this friendly tie. betfred are currently offering the best price on Italy winning by any means, that price being 13/8. Otherwise, Roy Hodgson`s men are available at the best price of 11/5. Interested punters can pick that price up at bet365. Back at betfred, a draw is on offer at 9/4.

The last time the two sides met was back in the 2014 World Cup, Italy knocking the Whites out thanks to a 2-1 victory. Both Claudio Marchisio and Mario Balotelli netted for Italy with the now injured Daniel Sturridge grabbing the only goal for Hodgson`s men. It`s 10/1 (Betvictor, Coral, Skybet, william hill) on another Azzurri victory by two goals to one.

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31/03/2015     © Frixo 2026