Italy vs. England: Team News, Predicted Line-Ups, Live Stream and TV Info
England maintained their 100 per cent win record since the World Cup when they easily dispatched Lithuania 4-0 on Friday.
The headlines coming out of the game were all about Harry Kane and the fact he scored within 79 seconds of making his senior debut.
He was rightly thrilled—as was the rest of the country, let alone his teammates and manager.
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It was some introduction to the international arena, but now Kane faces an altogether different challenge when England travel to Turin to face Italy on Tuesday.
Indeed, it's a big challenge for Roy Hodgson's maturing team, too.
Italy defeated England at last summer's World Cup—although they too crashed out in the group stage—and they will pose a big threat once more—this time on home soil.
As a friendly, this game isn't so much about the result. What Hodgson needs to see from his players more than anything is that they have the capabilities to deal with teams like the Italians.
Italy are vastly superior to any of those sides England have faced to date in Euro 2016 qualifying, but despite their reputation are evenly pegged with the Three Lions.
England's qualification group has actually done them a favour, putting them against weaker sides to build confidence and rhythm.
Now they must show they are no Arsenal—that they aren't the flat-track bullies of international football.
Arsene Wenger's side are renowned for brushing aside the lesser teams, but when it comes to their rivals, they struggle somewhat.
England can't afford to develop that reputation. It's not good for business, least of all the psychological side of their game.
For once we approach an England friendly expecting to learn plenty from it.
Over to you boys.
Date: Tuesday, March 31
Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT / 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Juventus Stadium, Turin
TV Info: ITV (UK only)
Live Stream: ITV Player (UK only)
Team news
England's squad is looking rather depleted ahead of this clash with Danny Welbeck, Raheem Sterling, James Milner and Leighton Baines all forced out through injury after that Lithuania victory.
As for Italy, Gianluigi Buffon could be back in the line-up after he missed the recent draw with Bulgaria after contracting a fever.
Davide Santon and Ignazio Abate have also been called up to the squad to give manager Antonio Conte more strength in reserve.
Last Five games
| Oct. 10 | Italy 2-1 Azerbaijan |
| Oct. 13 | Malta 0-1 Italy |
| Nov. 16 | Italy 1-1 Croatia |
| Nov. 18 | Italy 1-0 Albania |
| Mar. 28 | Bulgaria 2-2 Italy |
| Oct. 9 | England 5-0 San Marino |
| Oct. 12 | Estonia 0-1 England |
| Nov. 15 | England 3-1 Slovenia |
| Nov. 18 | Scotland 1-3 England |
| Mar. 27 | England 4-0 Lithuania |
All-time head-to-head
| England win | Draws | Italy wins |
| 8 | 7 | 10 |
Players to watch
Graziano Pelle
It seems lazy to suggest Graziano Pelle as among those to watch on Tuesday given we see him every week in the Premier League.
What makes him a focus, though, is that he is so raw at this level.
He has just two caps for his country and coming up against England, his manager may well look to test him against players he knows well.
Pelle has been among the goals for Saints this term and at 29 years old, he knows he must make a quick impression for Italy if he is to maintain his place within the squad.
Yes, all the talk is of Harry Kane in attack right now, yet Wayne Rooney has moved to within touching distance of Bobby Charlton's England goalscoring record.
Rooney's strike against Lithuania on Friday puts him on 47, one behind Gary Lineker and two behind Charlton.
A brace against Italy will see him move level and with all the focus on Kane, Rooney may well enjoy having a rare evening away from the spotlight.
Prediction
Italy 1-2 England
Odds
Home win: 17/10
Away win: 21/10
Draw: 9/4
First goalscorer: Harry Kane (7/1)
*Odds via Oddschecker
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