England have no injury concerns so could stick with an unchanged XI despite a disappointing performance against Ukraine.
Wayne Rooney will keep his place up front, while Welbeck and Carroll will continue to fight to be his strike partner.
There have been many calls for either Walcott or Oxlade-Chamberlain to get the nod over Milner, though Hodgson prefers a flat 4-4-2 and the City-man's defensive qualities are likely to see him start to combat Italy's attacking full-backs.
Prandelli received a big blow with the news that centre-back Giorgio Chiellini will miss the quarter-final through injury.
The coach could revert to a flat back three used in the first two games, with De Rossi dropping into defence once again, but is more likely to stick to a 4-man backline, keeping Abate and Balzaretti out wide.
Though they lined-up in a 4-3-1-2 formation last time out, the reality of the player positions is more of a 4-1-3-2, with Pirlo given the creative licence in behind a likely partnership of Cassano and Balotelli.
Prediction
Despite a thoroughly underwhelming display in Donetsk, England qualified top of Group D and avoided a clash with Spain in the process. Although the nation will be optimistic having done so, the Italians will rightly be favourites in this game.
Prandelli's side will dominate the tempo, with everything going through Pirlo, as ever, while England will soak up the pressure and utilize set-pieces and counter-attacks.
An interesting clash could see teammates Balotelli and Lescott come head-to-head and if England's defence can remain resolute there is no doubting that this will be a tight game, which could go all the way to extra time and even the dreaded penalty shoot-out
In the end Italy got the win they deserved. England tried playing like chelsea did in the champions league final and had penalties on their mind all night. It was such a one sided match.
With all honesty, I don't think Hart was better than Buffon. He kept playing inaccurate long balls and made easy saves. Buffon made two big saves and played with 100% pass accuracy.
-
porcaro94
51 weeks ago
+1
Report
-
BaronZbimg
51 weeks ago
+1
Report
-
Basilio
51 weeks ago
+1
Report
-
Yulva
51 weeks ago
+2
Report
-
Schweinstylin
51 weeks ago
Report
-
BruceChai
51 weeks ago
Report
-
tigris
51 weeks ago
Report
-
brolylucia
51 weeks ago
-4
Report
-
kerm
51 weeks ago
-2
Report
-
AndreyNosatii
51 weeks ago
-1
Report
See all 26 commentsIn the end Italy got the win they deserved.
England tried playing like chelsea did in the champions league final and had penalties on their mind all night. It was such a one sided match.
Pirlo is pure class, he plays football as an artist.
The 4 best teams are in the semis.
@yulva i agree, thats the weakness of whoscored, goalkeepers ratings...
With all honesty, I don't think Hart was better than Buffon. He kept playing inaccurate long balls and made easy saves. Buffon made two big saves and played with 100% pass accuracy.
England were lucky to even survive those 120min. The better team won the game. Pirlo was pure class.
We'll just need to shut him off and we're through to the final.
yes,we win!
shots off goal...
does "shots on post" count for "shots on goal" or "shots off goal" ?
italy 2-1
1-0 for England.