England’s expected XI against Italy: Kalvin Phillips set to be handed another midfield lifeline by Gareth Southgate, as Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden start either side of Jude Bellingham

Kalvin Phillips and Marcus Rashford are set to start for England against Italy despite both players struggling at club level.

The Three Lions host the Azzurri at Wembley tonight in a Euro 2024 qualifier in what is a repeat of the Euro 2020 final.

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

And Gareth Southgate is set to keep faith with Phillips and Rashford, despite both enduring difficult campaigns for Manchester City and Manchester United respectively.

The pair have been key lieutenants for the England boss in recent times but could hardly claim to be coming into the clash with much confidence.

Kalvin Phillips (left) and Marcus Rashford (right) are set to start for England vs Italy tonight

Gareth Southgate is expected to keep faith with the pair despite their lack of form or gametime

After a superb campaign in 2022-23 where Rashford netted 30 times, he has scored just once in 10 outings this season and has been withdrawn early by Erik ten Hag in recent games against Crystal Palace and Brentford as United were chasing goals. 

Meanwhile, Phillips has played just 70 minutes of top flight football this year and was snubbed by Pep Guardiola despite Rodri serving a three-match suspension over the past few weeks.

The likes of Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic were preferred in deeper midfield roles by the City boss. 

Phillips has won 29 caps for England since his debut in 2020 and did well when starting against Scotland last month, while Rashford has netted 16 goals in 56 England caps and is set to be preferred to Jack Grealish.

Meanwhile, Jordan Pickford will start in goal, while Southgate’s trusted centre back partnership of John Stones and Harry Maguire will be reunited with the City defender having missed most of the season so far due to a hip injury.

Southgate’s trusted partnership of John Stones (left) and Harry Maguire (right) will be reunited

With Bukayo Saka absent, Phil Foden is expected to get the nod on the right side of midfield

Kyle Walker is expected to start at right back, while Kieran Trippier is likely to fill in on the other side – given there is no natural left back option in the squad due to the absence of Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell.

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

With Bukayo Saka missing through injury, Phil Foden should get the nod on the right and will hope to continue his promising partnership with Bellingham that was evident in the 3-1 victory over Scotland.

Harry Kane will lead the line as usual as the Bayern Munich man looks score his 60th international goal against Luciano Spalletti’s side.  

Predicted England XI (4-2-3-1) – Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier; Rice, Phillips; Foden, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane

Predicted Italy XI (4-3-3) – Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Scalvini, Acerbi, Udogie; Frattesi, Cristante, Barella; Berardi, Scamacca, El Shaarawy