England won’t hold back in quest for perfect 10
UKRAINE vs ENGLAND
TOMORROW 5.15PM
FABIO CAPELLO has succeeded where his predecessor failed and navigated England to a major Championship at his first attempt, with few dramas and a couple of games to spare.
Although the Three Lions would be entitled to take it easy in the first of these ‘dead rubbers’, it’s a must-win for Shevchenko and co if they are to stand any chance of qualifying for the World Cup. However, we should expect anything but a relaxed approach from England. The fiercely-competitive Don Fabio will hate the thought of blotting his unblemished qualification copy book and is likely to pick a full strength side, while the players themselves will be trying to impress to secure their inclusion in the 2010 squad.
The hosts have gone an impressive W10-D4-L2 in their last 16 home matches, but a change of venue from their regular home of Kiev’s 80,000-capacity Olympic Stadium (which is being renovated to host the 2012 Euro Championship final) to the 30,000 Dnipro Arena tomorrow should suit England’s Premier League stars. Besides, Ukraine’s record when hosting higher-ranked teams (according to Bettorlogic’s ratings) is a less notable W1-D3-L2, since 2004. With this all seemingly in the visitors’ favour, the 13/8 available with Boylesports for an England victory looks too good to turn down.
There also seems to be little downside in buying total goals for the match at 2.5 with Sporting Index. Minus the added pressure of a large audience of expectant TV viewers back home we can expect Rooney, Gerrard and Lampard – all of whom scored against Croatia last time out – to fully exploit any gaps left behind as Ukraine look to better their 2-1 Wembley defeat and chase the second group place.
POINTERS…
England to win at 13/8 with Boylesports
Buy total goals at 2.5 with Sporting Index
REP. OF IRELAND vs ITALY
TOMORROW 8PM, SKY SPORTS 2
THERE’S much more on the line for Ireland’s Italian manager Giovanni Trapattoni in his team’s qualifier against his countrymen. The Irish can still top their group and avoid the tricky play-off rounds should they beat the Azzurri tomorrow night.
Even though the need for a result would suggest Ireland will go for broke against the defensively-minded Italians, Bettorlogic’s historical analysis suggests it will be tight, at least until the break. In their nine competitive matches at home to teams ranked 1-20 (Bettorlogic rankings, Italy ranked five) since 1993, Ireland have been level at half-time in eight and it has been goalless at half-time in seven.
Similarly, six of the Azzurri’s 12 competitive matches against teams with a comparable ranking to Ireland (26) in the same period have been 0-0 at the break making the 11/8 on offer with William Hill for no goals in the first 45minutes an attractive option. The reverse fixture was a 1-1 draw back in April and I can’t see any more goals being scored at Croke Park. A sell of goals at 2.1 with Sporting Index looks the correct spread bet.
POINTERS…
No first half goals at 11/8 with William Hill
Sell total goals at 2.1 with Sporting Index