Italy vs England prediction and odds: Phil Foden can lead Three Lions to victory in San Siro

22.09.2022 - 12:21 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Manchester City star Phil Foden can help fire England to a hugely important Nations League win in Italy on Friday night.

Foden heads into Friday's crucial clash in the San Siro having scored twice in his last three club matches which should ensure the 22-year-old heads into this group of international fixtures in confident mood.

Foden, who fired home City's third at Molineux on Saturday, is 7/2 to score at any time and 9/1 to open the scoring in Milan for an England side that will be desperate to avenge last summer's Euro 2020 final defeat to the Azzurri.

Italy have suffered a major dip in form since last June, so much so that they failed to qualify for a World Cup for the first time since 1958. Roberto Mancini's side have won just one of their four UEFA Nations games since - a 2-1 victory over Hungary in June, and were thumped 5-2 by Germany when last seen.

So this isn't the all-conquering Italy thay England bumped into last summer, which is why Gareth Southgate's side are 6/4 favourites with Betway to pick up all three points. The hosts are 15/8 with the same firm, with the draw a 11/5 chance.

Southgate will be keen to ensure that his side go into the World Cup with momentum from these fixtures which is why he's unlikely to tinker with his starting eleven too much, which should ensure he starts with Foden who has become one of England's most important offensive players in the last year or so.

England had the better of the 0-0 draw between these sides in the reverse fixture in June and if the Three Lions can just be a bit more clinical in the penalty area, then they have the measure of the Italians.

The 6/4 about an away win looks perfectly reasonable but if you combine that price with Phil Foden to strike at any