England or Italy – who will win the Euro 2020 final? Our experts make their predictions

Harry Kane put England in their first grand final in 55 years with his extra goal against Denmark – and Gareth Southgate’s side are next to face Italy to make history.

Sunday’s final promises to be a delicious competition – and our football writers have given their opinion on how it will turn out.

Who will win the Euro 2020 final – our authors’ predictions

Jason Burt – England

It’s a 50-50 game. There is no doubt about that. But I think England will win. Italy will be the toughest opponents they have ever faced and they have had a fantastic series without losing. It looks like it will be an incredibly close game, but Italy’s semi-final win against Spain gave England a lot of courage, which obviously has a special momentum of its own and probably deserves to beat Denmark more confidently. Having 24 hours less rest than the Italians could be a factor, but England has time to prepare and has shown remarkable physical resilience. Besides, they are at home.

Oliver Brown – Italy

After arguing after the round of 16 that Italy were the champions on hold, despite the euphoria about England making it into the final, I’m still not convinced that I should change that view. Not only do they have the pedigree of the major tournaments, they also know how to get through the games under the highest pressure, whether through cynical play against Belgium or by absorbing wave after wave of Spanish pressure.

A passion runs through the Italian line-up under Roberto Mancini, from his Armani-clad assistants to his incomparable captain Giorgio Chiellini. The unbeaten run of the team from 33 games is the envy of the world. As much as England has to believe they can break this streak, the Italians seem just as confident as their opponents that this is their time.

Mike McGrath – England

Gareth Southgate has barely had an injury in his squad since the start of the tournament and looks fresh despite 120 minutes against Denmark. Home advantage and most of the 66,000 spectators will also play a role. They have the weapons of attack to harm Italy and their set pieces are getting better which could play a big role in a close final.

Harry Kane is one of those players who peak at the right time. The sluggish goal in the group stage was long forgotten when he scored the winning goal against the Danes and got the celebrations going.

James Ducker – Italy

I say this in the firm hope that I will be wrong and that England will prevail. However, it will take a huge amount of effort. Italy have been unbeaten in 33 games, trailing only three of those games and conceding 23 goals. If anyone can, I suspect this England can. They are extremely fit, so I suspect a day less rest might not be such a big problem for some, but they have to do their best.

Jeremy Wilson – England

After the victory against Germany, the forecasts do not need to be changed. Italy had an extra day to recover and England’s win against Denmark would have been physically demanding, but the draw was still a lot friendlier and should have had a lot less impact than it did against Spain, Belgium and Austria.

England also seem well suited to playing against stronger teams in their flexible system and their home advantage at Wembley shouldn’t be underestimated. Italy’s collective organization is their forte, but England are likely to overshadow them in terms of game winners too, particularly with the depth of attack opportunities.

Luke Edwards – England

Before every game in this tournament, I was worried and feared I would lose. That’s what my 40 years as a fan of England did to me. We are conditioned to disappointment and failure. Pessimism is a form of defense, a blanket to wrap yourself in when the pain of defeat strikes.

But after the game against Denmark, which finally won a semi-final, the momentum this team has built, the impact it has had on the nation, I think England will win the final. That is what this team did. Old prejudices are banished, open wounds are healed.

I also think Italy is a team that suits us. First of all, they are similar in the way they play but I think England will suppress them, frustrate them and ultimately win. It will probably be late as Germany and Denmark win, but we will win. I’ve never mentioned it before a knockout game against England in my life. This team fears no one. They are not burdened by history, they make it.

Chris Bascombe – Italy

Having selected Italy as the dark horses ahead of the tournament, the shameless self-promotion of my expertise requires that I stand by that first sound judgment.

In fairness I also said that England would be eliminated as soon as they play against a decent player (e.g. Germany in the round of 16). Since copying has proven to be a recipe for success for the boys at Gareth Southgate, it would be counterproductive to wave the St. George’s flag now.

The reality is that it’s a 50-50 choice. Italy looked great against Spain for 75 minutes and then broke in extra time. England exceeded expectations and the Wembley factor could be decisive.

Thom Gibbs – Italy

England could do it. It should get tight, playing at Wembley will help and there is enough in Gareth Southgate’s English team to worry Italy, especially in attack. Mancini’s side looked vulnerable to lavish Spain for a long time. But my guess is that England will fall short because it would be Southgatesque – the next crucial step after losing in the semi-finals of the last World Cup.

So better this time, a tragic end to a wonderful summer, but the promise to finally win something next December. It’s time to go to camp and find out if Greg Dyke’s countdown clock to victory in Qatar is still on.

Let us know in the comments below who you think will win the Euro 2020 final