Italy U21 vs England U21 Match Analysis and Prediction

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Having both topped their table in qualifying for next year’s Euros, Italy U21 and England U21 will go head to head in a friendly on Thursday.

The teams meet in Pescara in the first of two matches for either side during the international break, with preparations for the finals slowly starting to take shape.

While England were eliminated at the group stage of last year’s Euros in Hungary and Slovenia, Italy went one step further before being eliminated by Portugal in a thrilling quarter-final.

Paolo Nicolato’s side have since gone on to secure a return ticket to the finals, finishing five points ahead of Group F runners-up the Republic of Ireland, who they defeated 4-1 in a decisive last-day showdown.

The Azzurrini steered clear of defeat throughout their 10 matches, winning seven times, and will be among the favourites to prevail next July in Tbilisi.

Italy now welcome England to Stadio Adriatico-Giovanni Cornacchia in their first of several pre-finals friendlies, with a game against Japan to follow next week.

With time aproaching the 2023 European U21 Championship finals to be held in Romania and Georgia next summer, England U21 face two likely title rivals in the coming days, as they take on both Italy and Germany in friendlies.

The Young Lions secured their place by topping qualifying Group G, finishing four points clear of second-placed Czech Republic in June, after winning eight of their 10 matches and conceding only seven goals.

England’s preparation for the U21 setup’s ninth successive continental finals begins in intensity this month, as they make the trip to the Italian region of Abruzzo before welcoming Germany’s youngsters to Bramall Lane next Tuesday.

Despite somewhat hitting complacency in their final qaulifier by losing 2-1 at home to Slovenia, Lee Carsley’s side’s recent run has been formidable, particularly in front of goal.

Italy U21 vs England U21 head to head

These two teams have previously met on just five occasions across two competitions, where they have each claimed two victories while they have drawn once. Italy have scored nine goals and conceded eight in the process. In their last meeting, England claimed a 2-1 away win in the Nations League.

England U21 2-2 Italy U21 14/06/07

England U21 0-1 Italy U21 05/06/13

England U21 1-3 Italy U21 24/06/15

England U21 3-2 Italy U21 10/11/16

Italy U21 1-2 England U21 15/11/18

Italy U21 latest home form

Italy have recently been on a good run of form at home, and they have been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They defeated Republic of Ireland U21 4-1 in their last home game in the Championship. In their last five matches, they have scored 11 goals and conceded four.

Italy U21 1-0 Montenegro U21 07/09/21

Italy U21 1-1 Sweden U21 12/10/21

Italy U21 4-2 Romania U21 16/11/21

Italy U21 1-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina U21 29/03/22

Italy U21 4-1 Repuclic of Ireland U21 14/06/22

Italy U21 latest away form

Italy have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They played out a 1-1 draw with Sweden U21 in their last away game in the Championship. In their last five matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded three.

Bosnia-Herzegovina U21 1-2 Italy U21 08/10/21

Republic of Ireland U21 0-2 Italy U21 12/11/21

Montenegro U21 1-1 Italy U21 25/03/22

Luxembourg U21 0-3 Italy U21 06/06/22

Sweden U21 1-1 Italy U21 09/06/22

England U21 latest home form

England lost 2-1 to Slovenia U21 in their last home game in the Championship. However, they have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have won each of their previous four matches. In their last five matches, they have scored 13 goals and conceded four.

England U21 2-0 Kosovo U21 07/09/21

England U21 3-1 Czech Republic U21 11/11/21

England U21 4-1 Andorra U21 25/03/22

England U21 3-0 Albania U21 07/06/22

England U21 1-2 Slovenia U21 13/06/22

England U21 latest away form

England have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their seven most recent matches. They defeated Kosovo U21 5-0 in their last away game in the Championship. In their last five matches, they have scored 13 goals and conceded four.

Andorra U21 0-1 England U21 11/10/21

Georgia U21 3-2 England U21 16/11/21

Albania U21 0-3 England U21 29/03/22

Czech Republic U21 1-2 England U21 03/06/22

Kosovo U21 0-5 England U21 10/06/22

Italy U21 news

Italy have called up winger Destiny Udogie, Fabio Miretti and Juventus midfielder Nicolo Rovella, in addition to recent Inter Milan signing Raoul Bellanova.

As Leeds United striker Wilfried Gnonto and Lazio’s Matteo Cancellieri both link up with the senior side, Italy should start with Pietro Pellegri up front, with Samuele Ricci missing out.

England U21 news

Recently back from injury, Oliver Skipp joins Tottenham colleagues Djed Spence and Ryan Sessegnon in the England squad, while Carsley welcomes Conor Gallagher back into the squad.

Liverpool teenager Tyler Morton joins clubmate Harvey Elliott in contention for a place in midfield, while Aston Villa striker Cameron Archer misses out.

Prediction and Odds

After tallying 45 goals between them in European Championship qualifying, neither side lacks confidence in the final third, and we expect goals on Thursday.

Both squads will benefit from some in-form call-ups this month. So, a draw could be on the cards between two top contenders for continental glory in 2023.

Odds: 1 2.22 X 2.00 2 2.28