Preview: England Women vs. Italy Women - prediction, team news, lineups

After beginning the defence of their Arnold Clark Cup trophy with a comfortable 4-0 win over South Korea, England Women will be looking to claim another victory when they face Italy Women at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Sunday.

Italy, meanwhile, will have to pick themselves from a 2-1 defeat to Belgium after conceding in the 90th minute.

Match preview

As the highest-ranked team in the invitational tournament, England started the 2023 Arnold Clark Cup as strong favourites, and they demonstrated why in their opening game against South Korea.

The Lionesses took a narrow lead into the break after Georgia Stanway opened the scoring from the penalty spot, and they doubled the scoring within 20 seconds of the restart thanks to a deflected strike from Chloe Kelly.

Alessia Russo wasted little time in adding a third before Lauren James scored her first international to round off a commanding 4-0 win.

Sarina Wiegman is still yet to lose any of her 27 games in charge of the England national team, and she will be hoping that her side can lift their second Arnold Clark Cup trophy after winning the first edition of the tournament last year.

As they gear up for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand later this year, the European Champions will be keen to put in another strong display against Italy on Sunday as they attempt to claim consecutive victories.

Italy will be aiming to collect their first points of the Arnold Clark Cup after losing 2-1 to Belgium in their opening game.

The Azzurre failed to move out of first gear in the first half, and they trailed at the break following Marie Detruyer's 16th-minute strike, but they improved in the second half and managed to equalise thanks to substitute Manuela Giuglano.

With momentum in their favour, Italy continued to create chances as they searched for a winner, but they were dealt a sucker punch when Tessa Wullaert scored in the 90th minute to snatch all three points for Belgium.

Having lost their last four internationals, Italy will want to return to winning ways as they prepare for the 2023 World Cup.

After finding the net in only one of their last four matches, Italy will have to improve in the final third if they are to trouble an England side who have only conceded twice in their previous seven games.

England Women Arnold Clark Cup form:

England Women form (all competitions):

Italy Women Arnold Clark Cup form:

Italy Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Barcelona's Kiera Walsh missed Thursday's victory over South Korea through illness, but she could return in time for Sunday's game.

With a World Cup on the horizon, Wiegman will be keen to give her squad the opportunity to impress, which could result in a few changes for the Italy clash.

Niamh Charles, Lauren Hemp, and Rachel Daly are all in contention to feature in the England starting lineup.

As for the visitors, Milena Bertolini named a young starting XI for the defeat, but several senior players will be brought into the side for their second match.

Cecilia Salvai, Barbara Bonansea and Valentina Giacinti could all feature from the off against England on Sunday.

After coming off the bench to score against Belgium, Roma's Giugliano is expected to start in midfield.

England Women possible starting lineup:

Earps; Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Charles; Walsh, Stanway; James, Toone, Hemp; Daly

Italy Women possible starting lineup:

Schroffenegger; Salvai, Linari, Lenzini, Boattin; Giugliano, Rosucci, Greggi; Caruso, Bonansea, Giacinti

We say: England Women 3-0 Italy Women

England continue to go from strength to strength under Wiegman's tutelage, and there is no sign that their unbeaten run will come to an end anytime soon, which is why we expect them to claim a comfortable victory over an Italian side who have lost their last four matches.

Written by

Ben Sully