England vs Italy Live Stream: Watch Online World Cup 2014 Group D Football (TV Schedule)
England vs Italy takes place on Saturday in a World Cup 2014 Group D clash. Today's game takes place in the Amazonian jungle city of Manaus and heat and humidity are likely to play a factor. Whichever of the two European teams can manage to cope with the conditions better is likely to have the advantage, but both will be desperate to win today.
The game kicks off at 6 p.m. ET and can be watched on TV on the ESPN network or online through live stream (details below).
Much of the build up talk to today's game over recent months focused on the difficult heat and humid climate conditions in Manaus. However, over recent days the talk has switched to the playing surface, which has been photographed being dry, and some have labeled the pitch as a poor surface for such an important World Cup game.
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This match between two former World Cup champions is one neither team can afford to lose. The losing team in today's encounter would likely have to win their two remaining games against Costa Rica and Uruguay. Neither will want that much pressure so early on, so expect a slightly cagey affair early on as both teams look to ensure they do not allow any soft goals that would allow the other side an early advantage.
Italy will be looking towards the likes of Andrea Pirlo and Mario Balotelli for inspiration, where as England will be spearheaded by Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard.
The weather forecast has predicted that the temperature will not be as bad as some had previously feared, but will still be around 90 degreed Fahrenheit (approx. 32 degrees Celsius). The humidity could be the main factor that drains the legs in the latter stages of the game, and is expected to be about 80 percent.
England captain Steven Gerrard has spoken about the threat of Pirlo ahead of the game, "It's important we don't give him much time and space when we come up against him because he can influence any game. He has got that ability."
Pirlo himself has said, "I'm starting to get old. It would be useless to continue. Of course, I'll always be ready if they call me back, but if I'm on the national team and I don't play that would really bother me. So it's better to stay at home," according to AP.
England vs Italy takes place on Saturday in a World Cup 2014 Group D clash with a start time of 6 p.m. ET. The game can be watched on TV on the ESPN network or online through live stream by clicking here.
