Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th

[Aidymac]

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[TR=class: row0, bgcolor: #F0F0F0] [TD=class: firstColumn]England v Italy (02:00 GMT)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]4.1[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.35[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.6[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]92.70 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

[HastGill1]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th I'll be the first one to say we've got no fcuking hope..:lol

[danazz09]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th I agree, I see this match ending in a DRAW too.

[macmuck]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th

England is a big team who nobody will want to face in Brazil. In Roy Hodgson' date=' they have won of the best tacticians in football today with vast experience throughout the continent. England have big match instincts and never make it easy for the opposition to score many goals. When these sides collided in the last European Championships Italy was left frustrated by a bulldog English performance. I think 0-0 will be a must back for most sophisticated punters looking to take a bite out of the value in the market. A draw will suit both teams and is the likeliest outcome here.[/quote'] Just said as much to my boy......Totally agree the most likely result!

[bej62]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th Both teams will more concerned about not losing than winning and in the heat and humidity of the jungle a dour stalemate is the most likely outcome. No first goal scorer has to be the call surely

[Hutcho_CFC]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th England would love a draw (Well i would take your hand of for one). England know that 2 draws and a win should be enough to get us through with the possibility of a 3 way tie and going down to who can score the most vs Costa Rica. Italy probably wont hate a draw but will feel its a game they should be winning. The draw seems the value play. But i would maybe wait for the teams as if Roy does something crazy like playing Lampard and Gerrard (I hope he doesn't and i don't think he will) then obviously you could lump on Italy especially in this heat.

[swampster]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th Agree on the tight first opener. Neither team will want to lose and Roy is hardly going to go all guns blazing. PaddyPower doing returned bets if Italy win or it finishes 0-0, so I'm going with: Under 2.5 goals Sturridge 1st goalscorer - had a few chances in Peru game and coming off an excellent season. Couple of 0.5pt bets on Jagielka and Cahill Last Scorer - England looked as if they have some set pieces worked out with these two on the end of crosses. At 50/1 and 40/1 worth a speculative punt

[HastGill1]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th At least the pitch looks in good condition..:( https://sg.sports.yahoo.com/photos/picture-taken-smartphone-press-box-manaus-stadium-june-photo-231146801--sow.html

[TotoSchillaci]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th Think Italy's participation in the Confederations' Cup this time last year was a valuable experience in terms of the conditions they'll encounter. Prandelli said after the tournament that Italy will need a team of iron men for Brazil 2014. So that shows the approach the Italian will take with his team selection.

[kevshat]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th 3pts England to beat Italy (DNB) 21/20 William Hill There has been a lot of doom and gloom about England going into this tournament but I think they’ve got every chance of proving a few doubters wrong and that can start here. Italy really do rely on Andrea Pirlo so if England can keep him quiet they can be successful. This Italian side doesn’t look set up to combat pace and that is something England have in abundance in forward areas and their young legs later in the game can really test Italy. If anyone wins this it can be England. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/england-vs-italy-betting-england-can-get-the-right-result-against-aging-italians

[Jimmy2shoes]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th Spud my Octopus says.......... England 0 - Italy 2 He's never wrong.

[Dumyat]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th Here's an interesting England stat. In their opening game in the last 10 WC or EC finals England have drawn 6 times. I'll have something on PINN's 3.07 X.

[Mindfulness]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th

Think Italy's participation in the Confederations' Cup this time last year was a valuable experience in terms of the conditions they'll encounter. Prandelli said after the tournament that Italy will need a team of iron men for Brazil 2014. So that shows the approach the Italian will take with his team selection.

Certain figures in Italian football have been taking this line recently and while I agree it could not have done Italy any harm to play in the confed last year, I really dont see it giving the Italians any real advantage going into this particular game. Obviously it's the opening group game and England wont have hit their classic tournament fatigue levels yet, we normally see that 30 mins after kick off :lol By the way, who do you think are these iron men for Italy? Is Prandelli talking about general mindset of his players, or certain players in particular? If his statement shows the approach to his team selection then who do you think will start/be dropped for Italy? I think this game is a really interesting contest, both teams have excellent coaches at this level imo and both sides will be wary of the threat their opponents carry. For me, Italy shade it in terms of being a cohesive unit but England have more teeth upfront, and in terms of forward quality, it's the best England squad I have ever seen taken to a major tournament. I think the market is getting this one right, little or no value for 1X2, AH, Over/Under. I agree with everyone that a low scoring draw will be the likely outcome here. X @ 2/1 would be the common sense choice, rather than backing either team outright which is frankly a lottery for this encounter. Unfortunately 2/1 for a draw here is poor value so I can't be bothered to take it. Will just sit back and enjoy the game.

[Sharp vs Square]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th England vs Italy = draw @ 3.00 Marathonbet (4/10 stake) I go for draws so often like NEVER however this matchup is the perfect scenario for me to break that habit. First game of the group promising a cagey attempt of football, where no one will want to risk too much on top of all the Amazon heat & humidity! Add to that the R.Hodgson habit of playing “coward” football in big matches and now you have a perfect scenario for a game where everybody will be happy to get back to the cool hotel rooms sharing the points. Personally I expect a slow tempo without any necessary rush for goals, plenty of passes in the middle and two teams settling for a boring scoreless draw in contrast of what these two nations could offer on paper! Good luck in your attempt not to fall asleep on the couch in front of telly! :hope

[ian7ace]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th Buffon out! Does this change much? Sirigu to come in?

[keyshawn]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th

Buffon out! Does this change much? Sirigu to come in?

Personally, i think at this stage in their careers, sirigu is the better keeper. But sirigu may not be good to go either - bruised ribs, hasn't been training. Based on that, really could see any of the three keepers. Maybe reason for a more cautious Italy with concerns at the back - ie draw?

[Aidymac]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th England team according to Stan Collymore on Twitter Hart/Johnson Cahill Jagielka Baines/Gerrard Henderson/Welbeck Sterling Rooney/Sturridge Some mixed reports, some are saying Welbeck is in instead of Lallana but the rest is accurate.

[Shaun_NUFC]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th Italy squad going around twitter as well : Sirigu, Chiellini, Paletta, Barzagli, Darmian, De Rossi, Pirlo, Veratti, Candreva, Marchisio, Balotelli.

[dialted]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th Surprised not to see Immobile start given his performances in Serie A this year and the last friendly against Fluminese

[JuMeSyn]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th Andrea Pirlo TSA @ 7.50 for a 0.10 stake Unpredictable game, could go anywhere, although unders most likely, so I'm going with a very speculative that makes sense in my eyes. Manaus grass isn't the best at the moment, play will be very slow and players may find it hard to start their acelleration under such climate conditions. We should see some tackles flying in at some moments, and Italy will try to get some set pieces to make a difference and score. If Pirlo manage to have a chance, I believe he could be close to scoring his usual WC free-kick. Moreover, this time we have the ref spray. Player can't cheat now, can they?

[JuMeSyn]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th got to hate the crossbar sometimes!!

[Jimmy2shoes]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th I missed the winning goal. ?Was away getting a Cornetto

[TotoSchillaci]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th

[Rhoads]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th

[Mindfulness]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th Man, so gutted England could not get something from this game, we played with such heart and guile, maybe the best attacking performance I have ever seen from an England team. Sometimes in football you do not get the result you deserve, it's part of the game and just have to move on, gutted for the players and management. Credit to Prandelli, his team got shutdown in the middle of the park but he came up with a decent answer when the questions were asked of his team. His tactic to double up on Baines with Darmian and Candreva worked really well, specialist training pitch goal required to open the scoring. Two good sides and very absorbing game but it hurt pretty bad.

[TotoSchillaci]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th Sorry Das but I have to disagree that England deserved to get something form that game. I think England showed a lot of heart and grit and determination and I believe they'll progress from the group together with Italy. It's ironic you used the word "guile" because that is what England were lacking in my humble opinion. The main difference between these two was the class in midfield. Italy had the "know how", the little passes to create space for themselves and danger for England. They looked more controlled and comfortable in possession for mine. To be honest I was never scared that England would score unless they were breaking on the counter and had miles of space to run in behind the Italian defence. I think Pirlo, De Rossi and Verrati had more about them than Gerrard Sterling & Henderson. The play from England was too basic and predictable. You could see where they were going to play the ball before it was played more often than not. I was waiting for Gerrard to impose himself but was disappointed. Shame because I like England and want them to do well at a tournament but they have serious issues in the middle of the park. Too many runners and not enough thinkers. Elsewhere on the pitch they're good, eg. I liked how Rooney and Sturridge played together. And Barkley should start maybe. The boy's got size, strength, touch and can shoot. Surely better than Henderson. Uruguay is basically the 3 main attackers with a lot of filler in there so I can see England getting over them, and also beating Costa Rica to get 6 points and progress. But it's just when England come up against technically good midfields, they get frustrated and suffer. I'll be having something on England v Uruguay and hope they win.

[Mindfulness]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th My friend, England played with a lot more "guile" than they have in previous tournaments but yes perhaps not the best word to use as our style is still very direct. We played more through balls than we normally do and our movement has improved which shows the progress in our attacking game. Yes, Italy have supreme "guile" with Pirlo, Verratti and De Rossi able to play that killer ball that can unlock defences in tight games. I have a lot of respect for the Italian game, as you know, and have always had respect for the quality of the Italian national team. Doesn't change the fact Italy can now be played through very easily and has extremely static defence, they rely of possession football as their main defensive weapon, which still works well imo. England were a bit rash and lacked composure infront of goal but is expected with such a young and fired up team. On another night we would have converted the second goal and got a well deserved draw imo. I don't think England deserved to win the game, Italy really demonstrated their experience and cohesion but I am still gutted because it was a positive and fearless performance from a young England team and I wanted better for them. Henderson, certainly not up to the Italian midfield on a technical level but has the engine to compensate for Gerrards age. Gerrard plays a very deep roll for England these days and basically covers the two centre-backs. I thought he was a very calming influence (which we needed) in the Italy game and cannot fault his performance. Don't expect explosive attacking performances from him, those days are long gone but that is in no way a criticism. English commentator Martin Tyler said he was very disappointed for England but went on to say as a football person the England V Italy game was one of the most interesting international contests he has seen since the turn of the century, and I would agree, it was very absorbing to watch and testament to the two teams. Hopefully both England and Italy can qualify, if we maintain our current level of performance, I'm sure we can manage it.

[Aidymac]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th I think you are a bit generous the way you are talking about Henderson/Gerrard mate. I thought Gerrard was shocking, didn't touch the ball. And Henderson was worse, Pirlo stood in the middle of the park and did whatever he wanted to for the entire game. England's number one priority in that game was to make it tough for Pirlo because he dictates everything Italy do.. Yes, England offered more going forward for sure in comparison to the england teams of the past and things are improving for England, but the centre of midfield is a big problem for ye. Also, Rooney is wasted on the left wing, he has to be more central.

[Mindfulness]

Re: Group D - England v Italy > Sunday June 15th Gerrard was definately not shocking but that's only my view. Will Henderson be first choice once Gerrard has retired? I don't think he will be, I think he's in there on the basis he plays alongside Gerrard at club level right now. I agree with you and Toto that Gerrard and Henderson are obviously not the answer for England's central median long term since Gerrard is almost over the hill now, can Henderson improve at this level? yes, but how much? Come on mate, Pirlo did not have free reign for the entire game! he was able to dictate the play at times but what do you expect from a player of his caliber. I thought England handled him better than they did two years ago in the Euro's. Again, Italy much better on the ball in centre of the park than England but I never disputed this. Edit: Did not like Rooney on the wing either, all our problems came down our left flank, Rooney should have been much better off the ball given his level of experience. Lots for Roy to think about, but I'm very positive about England right now.