England begin their Euro 2024 qualifiers TONIGHT against holders Italy, with the Three Lions looking to avenge their defeat at the 2021 final: Everything you need to know including how to watch, start time and team news

  • England begin their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign away to holders Italy 
  • The Three Lions will be hoping to avenge their 2021 final defeat to the Azzurri 
  • The game will be England's first since their World Cup defeat by France 

Gareth Southgate's England will kick off their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign tonight when they travel to Italy.

The Three Lions were beaten on penalties by the Azzurri in the final of the last Euros in 2021.  

Tonight's fixture against Roberto Mancini's side will be England's first game since their defeat by France in the World Cup quarter-finals last year.


Ukraine, North Macedonia and Malta are the other teams who will play England in Group C. 

Sportsmail breaks down everything you need to know ahead of England's meeting with Italy including how to watch and team news. 

England will be looking to avenge their defeat to Italy at the finals of the Euros in 2021

England will be looking to avenge their defeat to Italy at the finals of the Euros in 2021 

The game with Italy will be England's first since their defeat to France at the World Cup

The game with Italy will be England's first since their defeat to France at the World Cup

 

When is Italy vs England?

Southgate's England will face Italy tonight, with the game kicking off at 7.45pm.

The clash between the two teams will take place at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples.

England fans will not be optimistic heading into the game, with the Three Lions losing two of their last five meetings with the Azzurri.

Their last win against Italy came in a friendly back in 2012 -  with Phil Jagielka and Jermaine Defoe both scoring in a 2-1 win.

The two sides last met in a UEFA Nations League match last year - with Giacomo Raspadori scoring in a 1-0 win for Italy. 

The two sides last met in a UEFA Nations League match last year - with Italy winning 1-0

The two sides last met in a UEFA Nations League match last year - with Italy winning 1-0

 

How to watch 

Tonight's showdown between the two nations will be shown live on Channel 4, with coverage getting underway at 7pm.

Those wanting to watch the match online can do so via Channel 4's streaming service, All 4.

Sportsmail will also be providing live coverage of Italy vs England, so you can keep up-to-date with all the latest developments here.

Tonight's Euro 2024 qualifier fixture will take place at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium

Tonight's Euro 2024 qualifier fixture will take place at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium

 

Team News 

Heading into tonight's game, Southgate already has a few problems to deal with.

Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount and Nick Pope have all withdrawn from England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers with Italy and Ukraine.

Rashford suffered a knock during Manchester United's 3-1 win over Fulham in Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final.

Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope has also withdrawn due to a minor injury and has been replaced by Tottenham’s Fraser Forster. 

In Rashford's absence, Manchester City's Phil Foden and Jack Grealish will both be in contention to feature from the off.

As for Italy, Mancini included three uncapped players in a 30-man squad ahead of their Euro 2024 qualifiers with the Three Lions and Malta. Wladimiro Falcone, Alessandro Buongiorno and Mateo Retegui will all be looking to make their debuts against the Three Lions.

Paris Saint-Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to feature from the off in goal.

Leonardo Bonucci looks set to lead the backline - with Francesco Acerbi and Rafael Toloi on either side of the Juventus defender.

Predicted Italy XI (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Toloi, Bonucci, Acerbi; Di Lorenzo, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Spinazzola; Raspadori, Chiesa 

Predicted England XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Maguire, Stones, Shaw; Phillips, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Grealish; Kane 

Leonardo Bonucci looks set to feature at the back for Italy against the Three Lions

Leonardo Bonucci looks set to feature at the back for Italy against the Three Lions 

In Rashford's absence, Manchester City's Phil Foden will be in contention to start tonight

In Rashford's absence, Manchester City's Phil Foden will be in contention to start tonight 

 

What's been said? 

Heading into the international break, Southgate believes that his players are up for a 'humdinger' game against Italy.

The England manager also gave his thoughts on his recent squad selection. 

'That is the big challenge we have got. To go to a World Cup, everyone wanted to be there and the fight for places was immense, the hunger was there and it was clear. Now you have to start again,' Southgate said at the live squad announcement last week.

Gareth Southgate believes that his players are up for 'humdinger' game against Italy

Gareth Southgate believes that his players are up for 'humdinger' game against Italy

'I know exactly where our most senior players are with that challenge: they are ready. The Hendersons, the Kanes, they set the tone for that sort of mentality that is going to be needed.

'We have basically a couple of days on the training pitch to prepare for a humdinger of a game in Naples so we have got to make sure we are ready for that but I think the players will be ready for that. I know we are as a group of staff and it is a good test for us.

'These are the sorts of games where we have to show we can go to these places and win. That is the next step for us as a team.'

 

Odds

Italy to win - 17/10 

England to win - 13/8

Draw - 11/5

England to win each half and England to have most corners in each half - 66/1

Odds via Paddy Power and correct at the time of publication.  

England will be desperate to start their qualifying campaign with a win against the Azzurri

England will be desperate to start their qualifying campaign with a win against the Azzurri

 

Prediction

After their World Cup heartache, the Three Lions will be looking to kick off their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a big win away to Italy.

Following the withdrawal of Mount and Rashford, Southgate will still feel that he has a squad capable enough of travelling to Italy and getting all three points. 

As for Mancini's side, Italy will be looking to kick off their campaign with a big win at home.

After they missed out on a place at the World Cup, the Azzurri will be eager to earn automatic qualification to next year's Euros.

Prediction - 2-1 England 

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.