So, Three Lions walked into a Brazilian Jungle and they met some Italians....

To be concluded....

Come on lads.

This is it. This is the big one.

Hmm surprised there isn't a thread on this already ... oh wait. Although that may have been one of those rubbish unofficial threads. We need an official thread which tells us where we can watch it EXCLUSIVELY LIVE.

A lot people seem to think this will be a 0-0, but Italy's defence (especially with the loss of De Sciglio) isn't that great, and neither is ours - so I wouldn't bet against a few goals in this one.

Of the games played so far, only Cameroon have failed to score. I don't expect England to join that select group. Or Italy for that matter.

I'm hoping for a England victory, but I reckon it will be a score draw. I intend to make this fact clear to my online betting shop shortly.

I'm so nervous! I'm not even sure if I'll be able to watch. Does anyone else get like that when it's England or is it just me?

And the best bit? - No trumpet twits thanks to the Fifa ban... bliss!

The angry bees from 2010 have buggered off as well. ...nice to actually hear the crowd responding to the game in this World Cup.

Oh no it's here. 90 minutes of torture coming up, and I just hope we walk off at the end with something.

A draw seems the most likely result, I'll go with 1-1. Rooney and Balotelli to score.

Flicked onto SSN, just seen a bizarre segment at Bristol Zoo. Cameron the lion has predicted England victory!

I get the feeling that this will be a 0-0 draw given the hot and humid conditions, with neither team being willing to go all out for a win in their first game.

I'd be amazed if we all don't! With England you just know nothing good can last i.e. even if we come racing out of the blocks and go 1-0 up there'll be an inevitable period shortly after where we sit back, start to get nervous and invite Italy onto us.

Or maybe this England team won't follow the same formula. We can but dream...

I used to get nervous quite a lot before reality kicked in and I finally realised we are never going to win a major tournament in my lifetime.

3-1 England I'm feeling

Draw or Italy win

Italian media are reporting Buffon will miss the game with a sprained ankle. Sirigu to come in, not a bad replacement!

Sirigu is good but still a big blow for Italy this one.

I think this one will be 2-2. Or one side will get lucky with a 2-1 win. If anyone wins it'll be by a one goal margin but I expect a draw.

Gazzetta reporting the likely Italy lineup as:


Was up in the air how they'd end up lining up, what style formation and who with in certain positions. A couple of surprises in there but it'll be interesting to see how it flows if this is how they line up.

I've never heard of Sirigu or half of that defence. Of course, that doesn't mean they'll be weak links.

I also think tonight's result will be 0-0.

I can't see too many goals tonight, what with the heat and all, though my optimism is shining through at the moment so I'm going to go with a 2-1 victory for England.

It might be a good game for the neutral but not us england fans. I am hoping for a good performance even if we lose but I hope we don't get to gunhoe. I agree we need something tonight.

If the 2nd choice keeper is in may be worth giving him a few long range testers to begin with.