England

It’s coming home, isn’t it? Such is the stranglehold the English-speaking media has over the world game, the mere act of failing to publicly declare your undying love for Gareth Southgate’s men tends to lead some of their more spirited fans to want to lock you up in the Tower of London for treason. But put aside the more self-congratulatory elements of their fan base and England really are a very good football team. From memory, I tipped England to finish as runner-up in the tournament, but I can’t see them coming off second-best against Italy. The major point of difference will surely come in attack, with Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling always looking likely for the English while Ciro Immobile continues to fire blanks. The Azzurri might have had better luck starting the bullish Andrea Belotti up front but with Roberto Mancini loathe to change a winning team, I reckon this is England’s final to lose. They’ll be noticeably nervous but a spirited Wembley Stadium should see them surge home.