Italy face England at the Andruv Stadium on Wednesday in a crucial third and final fixture in the group stages of the European Under-21 Championship.
The Young Lions have recovered from their opening defeat against the Portuguese, while the Azzurrini are far from comfortable in their group.
Jesse Lingard found a late winner for the English against Sweden to put them on equal points with them with three, while Portugal top the group on four points.
Italy lie last with only one point after drawing 0-0 with the Portuguese youngsters in their last game, which the Italians nearly won after Andrea Belotti’s header was denied by the crossbar.
Their solitary point means that the permutations are quite clear for the five time European Under-21 champions; they must claim victory over Gareth Southgate’s side or they will be eliminated from the tournament.
England know that victory will also secure them qualification, but they could still fall back on getting just a draw, should Portugal deny Sweden three points.
Due to England’s victory when they met the Blagult, they have the advantage which means they will go through if they draw with Italy, as long as Sweden beat the Esperancas.
Three points are therefore of paramount importance for Luigi Di Biagio’s Azzurrini.
The coach will continue to be unable to pick Stefano Sturaro for the game, who is serving a second of a three match ban after clashing with Swedish striker Mikael Ishak in their opening match.
Other than that expulsion, Di Biagio will have the whole of his used squad against Portugal at his fingertips, so he could use the same starting line-up as he did for the goalless draw with the current group leaders.
In the England camp, meanwhile, defender John Stones has returned from injury, while striker Alex Pritchard was stretchered off in the game against Sweden.
Stones could be reintroduced into the defence in the place of Ben Gibson after returning to training sessions on Monday with the squad, while Jesse Lingard is likely to replace Pritchard after he was subbed on in the last game and found the match winner.
Form guide: England (W-W-W-W-L-W), Italy (L-L-D-W-L-D)
Expected Starting XIs:
England: Butland; Jenkinson, Moore, Stones, Garbutt; Chalobah, Carroll, Redmond, Hughes, Lingard; Kane
Italy: Bardi; Rugani, Zappacosta, Romagnoli, Biraghi; Battocchio, Cataldi, Crisetig, Benassi; Berardi, Belotti
