Also think will be 0-0. Italians are notoriously poor at the beginning of the tournament. They will just defend, defend, defend. No attacking.

And England will be directionless, slow and lethargic.

Lots of pundits saying they'd take a draw in this game. I don't really understand that given how strong all the South American teams are looking at their home World Cup. If we 'accept' a draw against Italy then defeat against Uruguay leaves us likely on the way home. A draw wouldn't be a good result in the context of the group even if it might be, in isolation, a decent result against a better team.

I'm expecting a typical England tournament performance.

Start reasonably well and then get deeper and deeper as the game progresses, until we are hanging on for dear life at the end, giving possession away cheaply and punting hopeful long balls.

If we don't score in the first half, I think Italy will nick it. I certainly don't see many goals in this one.

Spot on. The runner-up of this group will most likely face Colombia who are very good.

Some journalists tweeting that Sterling is set to start tonight. Which I think is a good decision if true.

I actually wanted him to come on in the second half and take advantage when other players have less energy. Also gives him less time to get sent off.

Me too. I used to really look forward to England playing in big tournaments. But it was around 2000 I finally realised we are no where as good as we think we are. I will watch the game, but it does not bring me joy or entertainment. We seem to play a style of football that is the equivalent of a square peg in a round hole.

Apparently the lineup, can't have too many complaints there.

I've got this weird idea. England go 2-0 fairly quickly and then get a player sent off.
Italy then win 3-2.
If that happens, I should bet more. Or there is a weird fix going on as with Brazil.

That's the exact same impression me and my mates have about England in most of their matches.

England team to face Italy: Hart; Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines; Gerrard, Henderson; Welbeck, Sterling, Rooney; Sturridge

Sterling in for Lallana.

Exactly the team I would've started with. Excited now.

2-0 Italy.

of course that has nothing to do with me wanting England to fail..of course not...>_>

Very happy with that starting 11! It's going to be an intriguing game.

Italy lineup: Sirigu; Darmian, Barzagli, Paletta, Chiellini; De Rossi, Pirlo, Verratti; Candreva, Marchisio; Balotelli

Looks like a 4-3-2-1.

BBC News sports correspondent Natalie Pirks on Twitter: "About 90 minutes before kick-off Fifa will decide whether to recommend cooling breaks for players. Three minutes water/ice towel break at 30th and 75th minutes."

Lallana out? All the talk pre-match has been whether Welbeck will be dropped in favour of Sterling, not Lallana. Any two of those 3 would have been fine by me though.

I also would have started Barkley over Rooney. The Italians will be familiar with Rooney; give them something to think about with Barkley.

I would have started with Lallana. I think Sterling would have been a good surpise sub.

I was always surprised at that. Welbeck is a regular starter and done well.

Shows what the pundits know I suppose.

Welbeck loses the ball more than anything. He should never get picked for England, he's rubbish and has never shown us anything that says he is going to grow into a great player.

Don't know if anyone has seen this but this is the chorus of the Italian national anthem.

Let us join in a cohort,
We are ready to die.
We are ready to die,
Italy has called.
Let us join in a cohort,
We are ready to die.
We are ready to die,
Italy has called! Yes!

Welbeck survives yet again. I'd love to know what dirt he has on Hodgson.

The Manaus pitch appears to have divots already.

Looks worse than Luke Chadwick's face!

Welbeck's always done well for England. Has a decent scoring record too.