England v Mexico betting preview
The countdown has started to the 2010 World Cup, the car flags are out in force and the male population of Britain are buying lager like it’s going out of fashion. In two months time, we’ll know whether Fabio Capello has succeeded in steering the Three Lions to glory, although he has to figure out his best starting XI and formation first! There’s nothing like a couple of friendly matches to have a tinker with the team, although the bookies are still expecting England to beat Mexico. Ladbrokes are the only firm prepared to offer 1/2 that a packed Wembley crowd see the home team build up some momentum ahead of the summer extravaganza.
Although Capello currently has a 30-man squad which will be whittled down to 23 in a week’s time, it’s natural to think that the Italian will start with the players who are bankers to be on the plane next month. Wayne Rooney can start packing his suitcases now and the Manchester United striker is 7/2 (Ladbrokes) to break the deadlock and have Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City fans chanting his name! Indeed, club loyalties are momentarily paused and Frank Lampard (13/2 Boylesports) can no longer expect to be the boo boy of previous seasons.
It will be interesting to see whether the England manager tries out a 3-5-2 formation in this match, especially with Gareth Barry recovering from an ankle injury. There’s something to be said for employing Glen Johnson and Ashley Cole as wing backs, especially as both players have an eye for goal. They are both 33/1 (Coral and Paddy Power respectively) to break the deadlock and the latter in particular likes to romp forward at every opportunity.
Mexico will also be going to the World Cup and will therefore be treating this match very seriously. Totesport’s 7/1 is probably too big about a team that qualified for the finals with ease, with Javier Aguirre restoring some pride in the shirt after Sven-Goran Eriksson’s ill-fated regime in charge of the national team. A draw (3/1 Sporting Bet) would clearly be a satisfactory result for a team that play South Africa in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup, while those expecting a low-scoring affair can back Under 2.5 Goals at 17/20 (bet365).
An England win could see a plunge of patriotic money coming for the Three Lions and it might therefore be worth a nibble on the 13/2 (Victor Chandler) currently available that they win the World Cup. Capello has instilled a winning mentality which saw them make short work of their opponents in qualifying and Paddy Power offer 9/1 that the home team boost their confidence with a 3-0 victory.