Russia to stand tall against England?

Internationals / Editor / 11 September 2007 / 1 Comments

Read the basics about all of the main markets on Betfair surrounding Russia's first-ever visit to the new Wembley

All the good work against Israel, one of the more positive games of Steve McClaren's reign, will be undone on Wednesday if Russia deny England a home victory.

The 3-0 success at the weekend saw England shorten to 11.5 fourth favourites to win Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland next summer. They are now rated just a 1.57 chance to make it to the finals from a tough group, headed by Croatia, despite their position behind Wednesday's opponents, with a difficult trip to Moscow still to come.

Shrewd Russia coach Guus Hiddink has played mind games this week by claiming he doesn't think England will qualify for the finals, but what is certain is that victory is vital to the home nation (3.5 shots to pass Croatia and qualify as Group E winners) as defeat would take their destiny out of their own hands.

But the quality of England's performance on Saturday seems to have buoyed Betfair punters to the extent that they are 1.59 favourites to secure three points against a side which have only lost once since March 2006.

Russia also impressed at the weekend when they matched England with a 3-0 win over Macedonia, despite having keeper Vladimir Gabulov sent off. His replacement, Vyacheslav Malafeev, saved a penalty and their usual third-choice stopper should start at Wembley.

Russia's chief danger men look to be midfielder Andrei Arshavin and Aleksandr Kerzhakov, both of whom scored late goals on Saturday and could be interesting at decent prices in the first-goalscorer market in what is the first meeting between the countries since the break-up of the Soviet Union.

Despite the market suggesting Russia will be beaten, it is worth bearing in mind that they have yet to concede a goal on their travels since the start of the qualifying campaign, and have conceded just one in eight games.

England's defence also looks strong, as they have conceded only two in eight games (both of those in one game) and the 1.96 about an England clean sheet and the 5.5 about Russia not conceding, could be interesting options.

Goal-based markets are also available on total goals, where prices of 2.42 are available for three goals or more, yet under 1.5 goals can be backed at 3.1 in the under/over markets where there could be plenty of action from punters not expecting much in the way of goalscoring action.

England will again be forced to field a patched up midfield, with Frank Lampard and Owen Hargreaves still missing, but they will still have enough attacking options with Michael Owen and Emile Heskey probably leading the line again in what could be an unchanged side.

Owen looked to be back to his best when scoring against Israel and could have had a hat-trick with the chances created. A hat-trick for Owen or any other player has been matched at around 34.

That feat was last achieved by 'robot-dancer' Peter Crouch against Jamaica in 2006 but, despite being available again after suspension, the Liverpool striker may have to settle for a place on the bench. Nevertheless he is on offer at shorter price to score (3.85) than his girlfriend, Abigail Clancy, is to win ITV show Hells Kitchen, for which she is on offer at 10!

Comments (1)

1. Mystic Mike Norman | 12 September 2007

   It's easy with hindsight, but my article regarding England pointed to an easy success against Russia.

   Not sure where you got the 'patched up' midfield from, as my article stated I would have been amazed if McClaren changed the starting 11. Lampard and Gerrard just simply do not play together and Gerrard would always be the first name on the team sheet for me. So having Barry, or Carrick or even Hargreaves is a far better option that Lampard in my opinion. Joe Cole is always likely to get the nod on the left while few will argue with Wright-Phillips on the right in his current mood - a patched up midfield hardly!!!

   All the best,

   Mystic Mike Norman