World Cup 2014 – Group D: England vs Italy Preview

When: June 14, 18:00 UTC-4
Where: Manaus, the capital city of the state of Amazonas right in the middle of the Amazon Rainforest
Stadium: Arena da Amazônia

Stadium Capacity: 46,000
Pitch Status: Not perfect but playable
Referee: Björn Kuipers (Netherlands)

Previous Meetings: These two teams have met a total of 24 times in the past. Over those 24 matches, England won 8, Italy 9 and 7 resulted in a draw. Their most recent competitive meeting resulted in England being knocked out of Euro 2012. Oops!

Team News: Breaking news out of the Italy camp is that Buffon has injured his ankle and is a doubt for the match. Oxlade-Chamberlain is still recuperating from a knee injury and won’t play.

Team Weaknesses: Italy has been plagued by inconsistent fire power with their forward line. They will need Balotelli to put the childish behaviour aside and take his place as a leader. England are plagued by internal demons, which they just can’t seem to contain. This is reflected in the defeatist attitude already being expressed by people around them before they even hit the pitch. What’s up with that?? Like Steven Gerrard has said, it is time for England to walk the walk. Hurrah!

Team Strengths: England is hungry despite everything, and with the youthful exuberance of players like Shaw and Oxlade-Chamberlain they may have the catalysts to go all the way. Italy has loads of experience with winning, and winning at the top levels. They are also undefeated in their last 10 World Cup matches. And oh yeah, He Who Strikes Fear in the Hearts of all English Men.

Who Scored Prediction: England 1 – Italy 1
My Prediction: England 1 – Italy 2
World Economic Forum (WEF) Competitiveness Prediction::

Chance of a Zlatan sighting: Nil

-hopechaser (twitter { https://twitter.com/hopechaser11 } and instagram: hopechaser11)