Littorio facing Lion in a delayed Second World War

If war began in 1942, how likely is it that Italian Littorio-class battleships would face British Lion-class ships?

Quite likely, with perhaps six Lions entering service, although Italian ships could also meet modernized Queen Elizabeths, Vanguards, or King George V-class battleships.

The Royal Navy would be modernizing older ships, bringing in Lions, and using Vanguards to replace the R class while maintaining overall numbers. Littorio would remain dangerous rather than hopelessly outmatched, though the mixed British force might create pressure to standardize its 14-, 15-, and 16-inch fleets.