Andy's Tuesday tips - England to concede
England have started their campaign brightly and it's the quality of the performances as much as the results that suggest they've put their World Cup woes behind them; a win at home to Montenegro would really put them on the right path to topping this group. A little further north Scotland have the unenviable task of hosting the European and world champions. Good luck lads!
England v Montenegro
In the midst of all the positive feelings about this post-World Cup England team, Fabio Capello has had to deal with the international retirements of experienced players such as Emile Heskey, Wes Brown and Paul Robinson. Okay, not necessarily automatic starters but all good options to call upon if needed. On the flipside, Ashley Young's club form has been superb, James Milner has continued to perform for both club and country and Adam Johnson's international career has started brightly.
I'd very much like to see the Manchester City man being given a start on Tuesday night. He's been in and out of the City side as a result of all the attacking options Roberto Mancini has at his disposal but when given the nod he's always come up with the goods, none more so than last Sunday when he got the winner at home to Newcastle. It's always easier to really make your mark on international football in front of your own fans rather than in a hostile environment which is why I think this is a good opportunity to give him some serious game time.
England should really win this match relatively comfortably when you consider the difference in world rankings between the two and England's home record. If they score early the floodgates could open, as was the case against Bulgaria, but if the opposition defend well and keep them out it could end up being a nervy and edgy night.
I'm going to show faith in this slightly new-look England side and back them to win this match relatively easily, though a feature of this team under Capello has surprisingly (for an Italian manager) been a failure to keep clean sheets more often than not, so I'm also backing Montenegro to score at least once.
Recommended Bets:
Back England to win 3-1 at [13.0]
Back no England clean sheet at [2.22]
Back Adam Johnson to score at [4.5]
Scotland v Spain
If Scotland want to look for some positives ahead of this match they can take some heart from the fact that Xavi has been rested and Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres are out injured. That's the good news but the bad news is Vicente del Bosque has endless options in his squad to deputise for this trio and whichever eleven he fields for this match will be of the highest quality.
Scotland know what they're up against and we might witness the somewhat bizarre sight of Craig Levein setting his team up almost as if they're the away side: four at the back, five in midfield and just the one man upfront trying to make something happen. They'll try to close the ball players down, not give the likes of Andres Iniesta time and space and attempt to make the most of any set pieces that come their way. That's the plan but executing it is another matter!
I'd love to make a case for Scotland, I really would, but this Spain team is one of the best international sides we've seen for many a year and the odds-on favourites should win this game, albeit by a smaller margin that some may think.
Recommended Bets:
Back Spain to win at [1.46]
Back Spain to win 2-1 at [9.0]
Andy Gray is now on Twitter so follow him for his exclusive tips and his take on the biggest stories in football each week.
Published: 12 Oct 2010
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