England predicted lineup v Italy at the 2014 World Cup with Chelsea and Liverpool aces starting

AMC) Danny Welbeck

Perhaps the most keenly contested position is the role just off Daniel Sturridge.

Hodgson could field Wayne Rooney here, but he struggled to disrupt Andrea Pirlo’s rhythm in the last match between the sides, meaning that either Danny Welbeck or Raheem Sterling is more likely.

If Hodgson is intent on stopping Pirlo from orchestrating the game then the more disciplined and defensively minded Welbeck may get the nod.