SpookyExpress.com previews the rematch of the Euro 2020 Final with a must win game for Italy.

England return to action tonight as they host Italy at Wembley in a Euro 2024 qualifier in what is a repeat of the Euro 2020 final, which The Azzurri won on penalties to inflict another heartbreak on the Three Lions’ hopes. 

England claimed a historic 2-1 win over Italy in Naples earlier this year when first-half goals from Declan Rice and Harry Kane secured the country's first win over Italy away from home in 62 years. 

Furthermore, Harry Kane converted a first half penalty at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona to score his 54^th international goal, thus breaking Wayne Rooney's record to become England's all-time top scorer.

Gareth Southgate's side triumphed at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in March with a dominant first-half performance. The Three Lions are top of Group C in the Euro 2024 qualifying, unbeaten in five games (4-1-0).

They were held to a 1-1 draw against Ukraine in September but otherwise England have been perfect in 2023, winning six of their seven games, including friendlies against Scotland (3-1) and Australia (1-0) on Friday.

Jarrod Bowen, James Maddison, Jack Grealish and Ollie Watkins have all started against Australia, though none of them is expected to start against Italy, with Southgate expected to field a completely different attacking line. 

Harry Kane should lead the line as the England skipper is enjoying a prolific first season at Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. Kane, along with several other key players, remained an unused substitute in England's 1-0 friendly win over Australia on Friday night so Southgate is set to make a number of changes against Italy. 

Ex-Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson captained The Three Lions against Australia but the current Al-Ettifaq player may have to settle for a place on the bench here, with Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham expected to start. 

Even though Kalvin Phillips struggles for first-team minutes at Manchester City, he's often a starter in Gareth Southgate's system. However, Southgate is set to keep faith with Phillips and Manchester United ace Marcus Rashford, despite both enduring difficult campaigns for their clubs. 

Phillips will line up next to the ever-impressive Rice, with Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham expected to feature in a more advanced role once again.

Ben Chilwell, Bukayo Saka and Luke Shaw, who was sent-off against Italy last time out, are all sidelined for England. 

Elsewhere, Jordan Pickford will start in goal, while Southgate's trusted centre back partnership of Harry Maguire and John Stones will be reunited, though the latter missed most of the season so far, while Maguire still fights for his place at Manchester United.

Stones missed last month's international break with a hip injury but the versatile Manchester City player is set to start alongside Harry Maguire. 

Levi Colwill made his England debut against Australia and the Chelsea defender could be deployed at left-back, though Southgate is more likely to opt for one of his natural full-backs in Kieran Trippier. 

Meanwhile, Eddie Nketiah also enjoyed his international debut against Australia but the Arsenal forward will have to settle for a place on the bench. 

The Azzurri are second in the group, level on 10 points with Ukraine, but they have a game in hand so a victory at Wembley would put them level on points with England at the summit. 

And whereas England host Malta before they travel to North Macedonia in their final two Euro 2024 qualifiers next month, Italy will face North Macedonia (home) and Ukraine (away), which isn't a favorable schedule, considering the issues they have experienced against North Macedonia over the past years. 

First, Italy lost a crucial World Cup play-off to North Macedonia in Palermo last year and they were also held to a 1-1 draw in Skopje in September. 

Italy have played seven official games this calendar year and they have kept just two clean sheets - in the two Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta. With that said, Luciano Spalletti must tighten his backline if he is to stop a potent England side on Tuesday. 

Davide Frattesi's first-half brace secured a vital 2-1 home win over Ukraine last month as the Azzurri are now bidding to extend their unbeaten run. 

Luciano Spalletti is expected to make up to eight changes to the team that beat Malta 4-0 at Stadio San Nicola in Bari on Saturday evening. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma as well as Nicolo Barella and Domenico Berardi are the three who are tipped to retain their starting positions.

Mateo Retegui, who scored against England in March, was not called up for selection here even though the Genoa forward improved his performances over the past weeks (two goals and one assist in his last four Serie A matches). 

Luciano Spalletti's selection plans were seriously damaged by the latest scandal in Italy, with a number of first-team players being involved in an investigation concerning illegal betting activity. 

In addition to Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo who both withdrew from the squad due to such allegations, Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel, who is yet to make his international debut, as well as the likes of Federico Chiesa, Mattia Zaccagni and Ciro Immobile are all injured for Italy. 

Destiny Udogie will be pushing for a start here, with the Tottenham Hotspur left-back making his debut in a second-half cameo against Malta on Saturday. 

It remains to be seen whether Fiorentina playmaker Giacomo Bonaventura, who opened the scoring against Malta, will keep his starting spot or the experienced midfielder will drop out of the starting XI for this evening's encounter at Wembley.

Bryan Cristante is set to get the nod over Manuel Locatelli in the middle, while Davide Frattesi is also expected to return to the starting side. Italian media also predict that AS Roma‘s Bryan Cristante will be the anchor. 

England: Jordan Pickford - Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Kieran Trippier - Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice - Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford - Harry Kane. (4-2-3-1) 

Italy: Gianluigi Donnarumma - Destiny Udogie, Giorgio Scalvini, Francesco Acerbi, Giovanni Di Lorenzo - Nicolò Barella, Bryan Cristante, Davide Frattesi - Stephan El Shaarawy, Gianluca Scamacca, Domenico Berardi. (4-3-3) 

Gareth Southgate's side are heavily favored to beat Italy in their mouth-watering Euro 2024 qualifier - with England skipper Harry Kane the top-ranked to score the opening goal of the game at Wembley.

A win for England could secure their spot at next summer's Euros, while the Italians are desperate to pick up points as they battle with Ukraine for second place in the group.

All in all, The Three Lions will be looking to beat Italy on home soil for the first time since a 2-0 World Cup qualifying win in November 1977 and to win back-to-back matches against the Azzurri for the first time since the late 40's.