FOOTBALL BETTING: Live on ITV1: Wed 20.00: England’s World Cup flops will be ‘welcomed’ home at Wembley on Wednesday but Capello will look to try out some fringe players against Hungary.
Coming just three days before the start of the Premiership season, the timing of England’s friendly against Hungary is almost as confusing as the squad selected by manager Fabio Capello, who has made several changes in the wake of his side’s dismal showing in South Africa.
Some familiar faces remain in the set up alongside some new faces but on home soil, Capello’s charges are nevertheless expected to prevail comfortably, Stan James quoting them at 1/3 to emerge victorious at Wembley.
Supporters are expected to vocally express their dismay at how England performed in the World Cup but with few players from that ill-fated campaign likely to start and new players set to be blooded, Capello can, to an extent deflect some of the negativity. This reduced pressure should prove beneficial and can lead to a relatively straightforward victory, albeit after a potentially nervy start.
Subsequently, tackling the ‘Three Lions’ in the handicaps, where they give away a goal start to Totesport’s 11/1 outsiders, represents decent value at 20/21 (bet365), as does Victor Chandler’s 11/2 chalked against England notching twice without reply. However, they may have look shaky early on and it’s easy to see the game’s first goal arriving after the 23rd minute (10/11, Paddy Power).
It could even be level at the break, meaning consideration should be given to Ladbrokes’ 7/2 for Capello’s troops to come out on top after a drawn first period, while in attack, Theo Walcott could be the chief threat for the hosts; he’s an attractive 9/1 (888Sport) to break the deadlock and at 11/4 with the same firm to get on the scoresheet.
Craig Levein takes his Scotland side to Sweden this week but with several key players missing for the Scots, who are Betdaq’s 4/1 outsiders; the home side are tough to overlook at 4/5 courtesy of Partybets.
Wales, by contrast, look a home banker at 2/7 (William Hill) against Luxembourg, who they can beat ‘to nil’ (10/11, 888Sport) while Northern Ireland are capable of nicking a draw in Montenegro, a result Jaxx.com quote at 9/4 and at 5/2 with Totesport, the Republic of Ireland can do likewise at home to Argentina; despite being Betfred’s 10/3 outsiders.
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