It’s reported England will take advantage of Italy’s injury woes by adopting an all-attack system with Raheem Sterling and Danny Welbeck.
Their World Cup kicks off tonight at 23.00 UK time (22.00 GMT) at the Arena Amazonia in Manaus.
The Azzurri have lost both left-back Mattia De Sciglio and captain Gianluigi Buffon over the last few days, forcing a huge reshuffle.
It’s reported England will take advantage of Italy’s injury woes by adopting an all-attack system with Raheem Sterling and Danny Welbeck.
Their World Cup kicks off tonight at 23.00 UK time (22.00 GMT) at the Arena Amazonia in Manaus.
The Azzurri have lost both left-back Mattia De Sciglio and captain Gianluigi Buffon over the last few days, forcing a huge reshuffle.
PSG goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu therefore starts despite bruised ribs with Giorgio Chiellini likely to be re-routed to the left.
Parma’s Gabriel Paletta seems to be the favourite to take the central role ahead of Leonardo Bonucci.
According to the latest reports emerging from Manaus, Roy Hodgson has taken these problems into account and is planning a much more attacking system than previously thought.
He’s ready to unleash both Welbeck – who has shaken off a thigh injury – and Liverpool talent Sterling with Wayne Rooney behind Daniel Sturridge.
Up until now it was believed that Welbeck and Sterling were challenging each other for one spot in the starting XI.
England: Hart; Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines; Gerrard, Henderson; Rooney, Sterling, Welbeck; Sturridge
Italy: Sirigu; Darmian, Barzagli, Paletta, Chiellini; De Rossi; Candreva, Pirlo, Verratti, Marchisio; Balotelli