14th Jun 2014 | World Cup
England v Italy Tip: Scoreline Prediction
It ended 0-0 after extra time at Euro 2012 when the Azzurri dominated possession but couldn't finish the job till penalties. If anything, the teams look more evenly matched now.
In the English Premier League I can’t remember a single time all season in which you couldn’t pick up odds of at least 12/5 on a match ending as a draw. However, for England’s opening World Cup match with Italy, no bookie dares to go longer than 2/1 (Paddy Power). This tells us all we need to know about the sort of fixture we should expect.
The odds-makers aren’t fools. They realise that neither of these sides dare contemplate beginning Group D with a defeat, yet both would probably settle for a share of the spoils.
To say Italy have a recent trend towards close matches would be an understatement. Six of their last seven fixtures have ended as draws with the other encounter a 1-0 loss to Spain. It’s safe to say that the defeat to the world champions probably hurt less than than the 1-1 humiliation with minnows Luxembourg last time out.
But the Azzurri can reflect on their last competitive clash with England with a great deal more positivity. The Euro 2012 quarter-final meeting ended as a 0-0 draw after extra time before Roy Hodgson’s boys crashed out on penalties yet again.
The Three Lions will be glad that there is no shootout drama in the opening round of a World Cup. They are capable of claiming another 0-0 90-minute result which is available at best odds of 6/1 (BetVictor). However, I would advise sacrificing a point to go with Paddy Power; the Irish firm go 5/1 on no goalscorer with the benefit of your money back if Italy win.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 07:10 14th Jun, 2014 but subject to change
