EURO 2020 Finals – England vs. Italy Preview

Soccer fans around the world can’t wait for this weekend. Brazil and Argentina will square off in the Copa America Finals on Saturday night, and England will take on Italy in the EURO 2020 Finals on Sunday. England has never won a European Championship before, and the Three Lions are also looking for just their second major international championship. Their only other major win came in 1966 when England won the World Cup as host, so it’s been 55 years since the nation had a proper celebration.

The EURO 2020 Finals will be held on Sunday, July 11, 2021, at 3 p.m. ET. This match will be played at Wembley Stadium in London, England and ABC will broadcast in the United States.

EURO 2020 Finals Betting Odds

England +170

Italy +195

Draw +205

Over/Under 2

Italy is 11-8-8 all-time against England. The Azzurri failed to secure a win in the first eight matches between these teams, but they are 11-4-4 over the last five decades.

These teams have met in the Euros twice. In 1980, Italy beat England 1-0 in the Group Stage, and the Azzurri advanced over the Three Lions on penalties after a scoreless 120 minutes in the quarterfinals of Euro 2012.

Both World Cup meetings between these teams have gone Italy’s way too. Italy knocked off England 2-1 in the third-place match at the 1990 World Cup, and the Italians beat the English 2-1 in their first match at the 2014 World Cup.

What to Watch

It’s been a much tougher run to the final for Italy. The Azzurri had to get past Belgium and Spain in their last two matches, while England were hefty favorites against both Ukraine and Denmark. That might give Italy a leg up in terms of being battle-tested, but the English have a big advantage in getting to play the final in Wembley.

While Italy’s attack is better than we have seen in the past, England has a slight edge up top. Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling are both better than Ciro Immobile, and there is depth in abundance too. Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho have both flashed off the bench.

The back lines and goalkeepers are about even. Italy has two great anchors in defense with Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, and the outside backs have been solid too with some particularly good plays from Leonardo Spinazzola. England has two superb center backs too in the form of John Stones and Harry Maguire, and their outside backs are playing well. Additionally, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Jordan Pickford have been excellent in net.

Italy do have a major edge in the midfield with Jorginho in the center to break up England and create things on his own. England doesn’t have a defensive-minded midfielder like him, and we haven’t seen consistent play out of their midfielders either. Jack Grealish and Bukayo Saka have had their moments, but there is not a creative force on the roster.

Prediction

Most of the action has been on England in the run-up to the final. The English have been singing, “It’s Coming Home” for weeks now, and that sense of destiny has fueled a lot of public money to come in on the Three Lions. That has created a nice opportunity to go against the grain and back the better team at a great price in Italy.Follow our Twitter account for the latest sports news and wagering odds, and come to our Instagram for more useful betting in