Betting tips England

Manager: Fabio Capello
Captain: John Terry
FIFA Ranking: 8
World Cup appearances: 12
World Cup Winner: 1966 

England Article: Squad

England Team Profile

England, sometimes referred to as ‘Three Lions‘, are a nation of which big things are always expected of them. Their loyal followers back home in what is a football mad country, always raise the expectation levels whenever a major tournament passes by their doorstep, and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa will be no different.

The English are well renowned for their big fan base and the news is there will be over 100,000 English supporters in South Africa cheering their team on to what they hope will be World Cup glory, and they head to South Africa in high spirits after the English sailed through qualification. However, the ease at which England bypassed what seemed a pretty competitive Group at the time, will only add to the demand of the English public back home in a nation which expects a Golden delivery.

It used to be Spain who held the mantle for being the biggest underachievers in World football, but then the Spanish claimed the 2008 European Championship and the tag fell onto England’s shoulders, as the English haven’t lifted a major International trophy since 1966 when they won the World Cup on home soil. It’s been an absolute age without anything to celebrate, and what hurts the English supporters the most is England have rarely even looked like going close to winning either a World Cup or a European Championship. That should hopefully change in South Africa but England have a knack of disappointing.

Manager

It’s fair to say that Capello‘s appointment at the England helm wasn’t exactly met with open arms by every England fan, although everyone knew changes were needed after their failure to even qualify for the 2008 European Championships. Fabio Capello, a manager with a seemingly flawless and impeccable managerial CV, was brought in to restore some English pride that was previously lost through their failings to reach the last major tournament, and Capello’s honesty about England’s chances of reaching South Africa was like a breathe of fresh air, as Capello claimed England would definitely make South Africa’s show-piece. The Italian was to be right as England stormed through qualification, becoming one of the first few teams in the European sector to book their plane tickets to South Africa, to the relief of a football hungry nation.

Fabio Capello has been a revelation for England, installing some Italian discipline into the England camp which was certainly missing during Steve McClaren’s and Sven Goran Eriksson’s reigns as England coach. The players now respect the coach and feel privilege to be a part of the England set up once again, something that was also missing from the England camp before Capello’s appointment. The players know no-one is safe from Capello’s sharpened axe, and that everyone’s place is up for grabs should they not perform. Capello’s disciplined manner and approach has greatly improved how the England team operates and they are arguably entering into a World Cup in the best form of any of the recent England teams, so the expectation levels back home are rightly high, and it’s all down to one man – Fabio Capello.

With England having gone nearly a decade without a World Cup, Fabio Capello could etch his name into English folklore should he mastermind a successful campaign in South Africa. With the English fans, though, he’ll simply be known as a ‘Legend’ forever.

England Key Players

John Terry

It’s been a turbulent year for the former England skipper, who only this year relinquished his hold of the captain’s armband thanks to his infidelity issues, a subject we will try to avoid for now. Some were hoping it would make John Terry stronger, Terry against the world they hoped, but it did have a big affect on the Chelsea defender, and for all the wrong reasons. Thereafter, however, Terry’s performances for Chelsea declined and he was no longer seen as the rock at the heart of the Chelsea defence.

Nevertheless, there’s an immensely talented defender within John Terry waiting for it’s rebirth. At his best he can take the form of the world’s best centre back, commanding his defence in his authoritative manner, reading the play with precision and never afraid to get stuck in with a bold but fair tackle. He’s been a little off form before the World Cup finals, but England fans will be hoping John Terry quickly bounces back to his reliable self in time for a successful World Cup challenge.

Steven Gerrard

The Liverpool skipper didn’t have the best of seasons for his club as they endured one of their worst campaign for some time, while Gerrard has had his fair share of England critics down the years, so Gerrard, who will be making his third apperance in the finals of a World Cup, will have something to prove in South Africa. His commitment in an England shirt has been brought into question on more than one occasion, as the Liverpool born midfielder seemingly doesn’t play in the same forceful and constructive manner for his country like he does for his club, Liverpool.

Steven Gerrard is arguably the very best at what he does and his game is about several aspects, all of which he does to a very high standard. The accuracy of his passing is second to none; switching the ball from flank to flank isn’t a problem for the Merseyside star, tracking back and helping out in defence he does to a more than satisfactory level, while the standard at which he creates chances for everyone else, and the regularity of them, are both outstanding and admirable. However, the one crucial factor you get with Gerrard that you don’t with most Midfielders is this unique ability to defy adversity time and time again. Granted he’s only really produced something wonderful and spectacular for Liverpool and not for England, but the simple fact he’s saved Liverpool from the pits of despair on half-a-dozen occasions in his illustrious career is a huge positive for every England fan as the Three Lions could be in a position where exit from the competition looks imminent, but when you have a player in your team which you know can pop up with the goods when everyone else’s luck is out, it’s priceless and that’s the best word to desribe Steven Gerrard, regardless of whether or not he’s having a bad game or a bad tournament, Gerrard’s winning mentality is priceless and he can win any game of football at any given time.

With Steven Gerrard in your team, you can never be out of a game until the final whistle rings. If Gerrard has a big tournament this summer, then so do England!

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney was pushing Lionel Messi, the kid some are saying is looking more and more likely to be the greatest ever, all the way for Europe’s biggest player accolade before injuries spurred his chances of personal glory with the FIFA Player of the Year award. Rooney isn’t all about winning awards though, although he does enter into the World Cup in the knowledge that he was rated the Premiership’s best player for the 2009-2010 season. No, Rooney is a team player and he will strive to ensure England enjoy a good run in South Africa.

Within a year Wayne Rooney has seemingly been transformed into the complete striker, almost the perfect player in many respects. Sir Alex Ferguson has added versatility to his game, boosted his temperament and and converted the former play-maker into a goalscoring machine. Rooney always had goals in him but he was never scoring them with the alarming regularity that he is now. He’s been playing in a more central role up front for his club and it’s paid dividends, with Rooney ending the campaign with 26 league goals, while England were reaping the benefits of Rooney’s new found lease of forward life as the Manchester United striker finished a successful qualifying campaign as England’s most prolific forward with 9 goals in 9 qualifiers; averaging a goal every game for his country.

Rooney’s fiery attitude has cost him and England in previous tournaments, but the Liverpool born star has matured significantly in recent seasons and is now in the shape and form of his life. South Africa could be a huge tournament for Wayne Rooney as he looks to show the rest of the world what everyone in England has been talking about.

Strengths

The support England will get from their travelling fans will be amazing throughout their time in South Africa, and so long as the Three Lions keep progressing, the support will grow and grow. There will be over 100,000 English fans in South Africa to watch their team take on some of the World’s greatest football teams aiming to get a glimpses at perhaps the first England side to win the prestigious tournament since 1966. The fans will be in full voice at their games, and in plentiful supply, so whoever comes up against England will need to quieten the crowd if they wish to thwart England’s bid for glory.

The strength is depth is also a massive plus. England have genuine world-class quality in every position, while their back up is also first class. However, it’s the strength of their starting line up which will leave many nations in awe. Their defence consists of two of the World’s best defenders in John Terry (Chelsea captain) and Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United vice-captain), while Ashley Cole is rated as one of the World’s best left-backs. The midfield looks very solid yet full of creative spark and guile, with Gareth Barry sat in that holding role while Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard dictate the play just in front of him. The latter two also have goals in them, Lampard especially as he takes England’s spot-kicks. Gerrard can strike a ball from just about anywhere, and if England need a piece of magic at some stage, don’t be surprised if Steven Gerrard steps up to the mark. Up front we of course have Wayne Rooney – One of the World’s best on current form. 

Weaknesses

England do lack an out-an-out striker and as a result, means the Three Lions aren’t as danger from an attacking point-of-view as one might wish for. That may sound a tad amusing considering England finished with one of the higher goal returns during qualifying from the European sector, but the English were dominant in their group and often strolled through their qualifiers against the lesser nations. Against those with stronger defences, England will need more fire-power up top to break them down and could be found wanting if Wayne Rooney, a man upon the nations hopes are resting, doesn’t perform to the high standard we’ve all come to expect, or if he isn’t found a suitable striking partner. Fabio Capello has tested several forward partners for Rooney, and it would seem Emile Heskey is set to lead the line alongside the feisty Scouser.

Also, more than ever before perhaps, we rely heavily upon the displays and performances of one man – Wayne Rooney. The Manchester United forward was in scintillating form for his club during the 2009-2010 season and finished as the club’s top goalscorer, but he’s let his country down in previous tournaments, while injuries have also played havoc with his International progress on the big stage. Without him, England aren’t as threatening or intimidating, and that’s a huge concern.

England Qualification for the World Cup

Sector: Europe

Group: 6

Position: 1st

Win-Draw-Lose: 9-0-1

Goals Scored: 34

Goals Conceded: 6

World Cup Potential: 5/5

Will 2010 be the year England’s dreams become a reality? The expectation levels are always high with the England supporters, and it’s to be expected as rarely do they take a weak squad into a major tournament. 2010 will be no different and it will in fact be one of the stronger squads England have ever had in South Africa, so a big tournament should beckon for the Three Lions.

There are expected to be somewhere around 150,000 English fans in South Africa by the time the finals kick-off, so every English game should be packed out with English supporters. The support will be tremendous, as it always is, but once again there is tonnes of pressure on the England squad to perform and to deliver the goods in the form of the FIFA World Cup,after so many years of heartache and empty promises. We all say it every World Cup but this could be the year when England end the wait with their first World Cup victory since 1966.

England World Cup Betting Odds

England to win the World Cup:         8/1 – William Hill

Before the World Cup the odds on England were 8/1 

Official England World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers

Joe Hart (Birmingham City)

David James (Portsmouth)

Robert Green (West Ham United)

Defenders

Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)

Ashley Cole (Chelsea)

Michael Dawson (Tottenham Hotspur)

Glen Johnson (Liverpool)

Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur)

John Terry (Chelsea)

Matthew Upson (West Ham United)

Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa) 

Midfielders

Gareth Barry (Manchester City)

Michael Carrick (Manchester United)

Joe Cole (Chelsea)

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur)

James Milner (Aston Villa)

Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City)

Strikers

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur)

Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur)

Emile Heskey (Aston Villa)

last update: 18 June 2010

World Cup 2010 England Fixtures – Group C

27/06 – 15.00 – Round of the last 16: England – Germany: 1-4

World Cup 2010 Group C - Table

World Cup Fixtures and Results

Capello to hold talks with FA

It was bound to come up. England crashed out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup at the hands of old rivals Germany, and immediately speculation over the national coach is brought to light. While Fabio Capello has said that he is not about to quit his post after failing to take England beyond the second round, he is going to have talks with the FA. The get-out-clause which was written into Capello’s initial contract, was re-discussed and taken out just before the World Cup, as there were fears that he would be poached by Inter Milan. The clause stated that either party could sever the ties mutually after the World Cup without any problems. So was that move by the FA a bit hasty? While Capello had an extremely successful qualification campaign in getting England to the World Cup in the first place, that form clearly did not push on through to the World Cup. Is Capello at fault? Is the failure down to the players? Is it a combination of both? Italy’s failure at the World Cup has already cost Marcello Lippi his job, as Cesare Prandelli was named as new coach, and will Capello be the next high profile casualty of the 2010 FIFA World Cup?

Capello after a honeymoon period in the job, suddenly found himself being criticised for his poor language skills in English at the World Cup, as well as his rigidity in not changing formation and for sticking with playing players out of position. The relationship between Capello, the FA and the players suddenly all seemed a bit fractious, and with the disappointment of England’s overall performance at South Africa 2010, talks about Capello’s possible successor will be fuelling many headlines. Capello will address the media again on Monday in England’s last press conference. While he may be bemoaning Frank Lampard’s goal that never was, but on a whole, England were simply not good enough. The England squad looks as if it needs an overhaul and will the FA wanted new blood at the helm, or will they trust in Capello to fulfil his contract to work with a crop new, younger players? England start their qualification campaign for Euro 2012 in September, with fixtures to come against Bulgaria, Switzerland, Montenegro and Wales. That will have a houseful of pressure on any new manager, if Capello and England part company, will the FA fall back on an Englishman to lead the national side?

Next Permanent England Manager Odds

Harry Redknapp – 4/1 at SkyBet
Roy Hodgson – 4/1 at SkyBet
Martin O’Neill – 10/1 at Victor Chandler
Terry Venables – 12/1 at Coral
Stuart Pearce – 14/1 at Paddy Power
Marcello Lippi – 16/1 at SkyBet
Guus Hiddink  -18/1 at Paddy Power
Frank Rijkaard – 20/1 at Victor Chandler
Sam Alardyce – 20/1 at Paddy Power
Mark Hughes – 20/1 at SkyBet
Steve Coppell – 25/1 at Victor Chandler
Alan Curbishly – 25/1 at Victor Chandler
Steve Bruce – 25/1 at Paddy Power
David Beckham – 33/1 at William Hill
Kevin Keegan – 66/1 at Victor Chandler
 

Gareth Barry Set to Miss England v USA World Cup fixture: More often than not, the unsung hero in the heart of the England, Gareth Barry has quietly gone about his duties for his nation, with limited fuss or bother, aggrandising the old football axiom that the players doing the best defensive midfield jobs, are those who do not get noticed. Those who never put a foot wrong. Think Claude Makelele. Think Roy Keane. Think Patrick Vieira. Think Michael Essien. The glue of the team. The clutch player. Call it what you will, when they go missing, the team can shake to its foundations. So, while England have been named among the favourites to lift the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, they have not dominated betting markets as favourites for one simple fact, that there remains questions over the strength which they possess in depth. While England’s World Cup chances hang on the thin tightrope of star striker and Golden Boot candidate Wayne Rooney not getting injured, coach Fabio Capello’s best laid plans seemed to come crashing down after Barry picked up an ankle injury on the final day of the domestic season. Such an impact has the threatened absence of Manchester City midfield star Gareth Barry been, it has highlighted the cracks in the England set up, and the reverberations should ring loudly around the ranks of the Barclays Premier League. Where is the future of English football, if the national coach has to consider changing formation and playing players out of position, all because of one injury?

England finished off a local side, Platinum Stars, in their final run out before they take on the USA in their first 2010 World Cup match in South Africa, on Saturday. If the starting line up was anything to go by, then Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard will be teaming up with Cheslea’s Frank Lampard in the middle of the park, leaving Lampard’s team mate Joe Cole on the left. Cole notched himself a goal in the friendly, continuing his impressive return to the international fold. But what will Gerrard moving back into the middle mean for him? Will it suppress his natural assets in driving forward? When he playing just behind Wayne Rooney in the friendly against Mexico, the newly instilled England captain was a dominant figure for England. Is it right to for the side to use him in such a role? Gerrard has been hard to fit into the side, playing in an unnatural position on the left of midfield, simply because he never worked well with Lampard. But Capello has seen them in action together, and seems confident it will do the job and back up England’s World Cup Odds. England need to get off to a good start against the USA, and Gerrard’s move could only be a temporary one. Barry has been responding to treatment better than expected, and should feature in the tournament before long. It makes sense to keep him back while England take on weaker opponents before the first knockout stages.

The US front pairing of Edson Buddle and Robert Findley, helped the US to a victory over Australia on the weekend, and there are signs that the US are improving. The pairing fired well, with Buddle, the Major League Soccer’s top goal scorer at the moment, with some surprise, as the US’s star player Jozy Altidore has been the focus of a worrying injury. Altidore is said to have a mild ankle sprain, but the new pairing should have given a lot of hope to Bob Bradley, backed up by Landon Donovan floating around from the wing. But, if the England back line, sans Rio Ferdinand are thinking they will be troubled, they may just need to get the ball to Wayne Rooney. For all of the improvements made by the United States, one are in which they continue to look very shaky, is at the back. The 3-1 scoreline may have cheered the US, but it should be noted that Australia were very dominant in the second half. So there are mixed signals coming from the US, but when all is said and done, if England are serious about winning the World Cup, then it is a side which they should brush aside with relative ease, as long as they can keep their composure and structure. The crucial link could be the pairing of Gerrard and Lampard in the middle, which needs to stamp its authority all over the game from the off, and not have any lazy start.

England v USA Betting Stats

England Last 6 Results
Japan 2-1 (a) W
Mexico 3-1 (h)
Egypt 3-1 (h)
Brazil 1-0 (a) L
Belarus 3-0 (h) W
Ukraine 1-0 (a) L

USA Last 6 Results
Australia 3-1 (h) W
Turkey 2-1 (h) W
Czech Republic 4-2 (h) L
Holland 2-1 (a) L
El Salvador 2-1 (h) W
Honduras 3-1 (h) L

Last 10 Match Form:
England: W7, D1, L2
USA: W4, D0, L6

Recent Overall Stats
England: P50, W33, D8, L9 = 66% win percentage
USA: P45, W18, D6, L21 = 40.0% win percentage

All Time World Cup Stats
Rank 5th: England P55, W25, D17, L13 GF74 GA47
Rank 25th: United States P25, W6, D3 L16 GF27 GA51

World Cup Group C Match Odds
England to win: 1/2 at Bet365
Draw: 10/3 at BetFred
USA to win: 13/2 at Totesport

With the plethora of World Cup betting markets on England here we present a guide to the extensive markets on offer and provide current odds, tips and analysis on each of them. With England boss Fabio Capello having completed his homework and trimmed his World Cup squad to the official 23 which he will take to South Africa with him, it is time to seriously look at betting on England at the World Cup. What will the unconvincing international friendly matches done to have dissuaded backing Capello to take England to the promised land of World Cup glory? Are there positive to be taken in the fact that they still won while looking disjointed? Are the positives to gain knowing that the side playing there will not be the one taking the field on June 12th when England play the USA? England are still heavily backed at the online bookmakers, but there are hints that they may be drifting out just a little bit. Most of the time during the build up, they have been around third or fourth in the running, exchanging places with Maradona’s Argentina, and quite a way back, in betting terms, behind Spain and Brazil. So, along with the best odds on England at the World Cup right now, we will explore and guide you through some of the best bets to take on Fabio Capello’s men, with our first part of Betting on England at the World Cup.

England Outright Winners
You seriously have to assess the chances of England winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup as fair. There are still questions about the team and the squad, even though they have a world class manager at the helm. By checking out our free download of a World Cup fixtures chart you can see that England will probably have to go through both Brazil and Spain to win the World Cup. That is where the crux of the considerations of whether to lay your money on England or not, will lie. It is relatively easy to be confident of England winning Group C, and probably the second round. But once the tournament hits the quarter final stage, the climb to the top suddenly gets a lot steeper. By planning the route with our World Cup chart, you can see that England will probably face France in the Quarter Finals. That is a winnable game, surely, and with the French being unpredictable, it may not even be them. Also take into consideration the depth of England’s squad. Look at how much consternation has been raised over the injury worry to one man, Gareth Barry. The back up plans looked unconvincing, and imagine if that had been Wayne Rooney? Should you base your betting on the thought of key players getting injured? It’s something that has happened before to England, losing key players at vital times, so it is a consideration, yes. Remember Rooney’s broken foot at Euro 2004? Remember Rooney missing England’s 2006 World Cup opener against Paraguay? Michael Owen’s broken foot in 2006? Beckham’s metatarsal in 2002? Bryan Robson’s in injuries in 1986 and 1990? Could a Rooney-less England win the World Cup? A fully fit England should easily make the quarter finals though, and that is reflected in their price. It is those crucial last three games that one wonders about. At the odds they are, they are well worth a punt none the less.

England to Win Group C
There seems little doubt about this one happening. If England are serious about their intentions, then they should stroll to the top of this group with three wins from three. The USA, Algeria and Slovenia should not stand in their way at all, but they do provide good varied opposition to build momentum against. Betting on the World Cup at Bet365 has England at a very comfortable 1/3 to win the group. That is a pretty safe bet for England’s 2010 World Cup campaign, but clearly with no great returns on it. The bookmakers back England, and therefore you are not going to earn a lot unless you bet big, as a £10 bet on that would only fetch you about £3 in actual profit. Is it worth it? Depends on how big a bettor you are, as at least it does promise some return.

Stage of Elimination
Taking all of the above into consideration, you can start to predict at what stage of the competition England will get knocked out. Probably not something that England fans want to think about too much, but the bets are there to be taken advantage off. Again, the World-Cup-Betting.me.uk World Cup Chart will help to plan this one out. Longest odds at Totesport are for England to crash at the Group Stage at 8/1. Worryingly the bookies seem to think that a Second Round or Quarter Final exit is most likely, with both around 3/1, with a semi final exit not far behind at 7/2. England finishing as runner’s up will fetch 6/1 at the moment, and to win the tournament is around 7/1 which is the same as simply backing England to win Outright. Use the planner and figure out who England may run into. France in the Quarters? Brazil in the semi’s? Spain in the Final? Plan England’s route and you can plan your England World Cup bets.

England Group Points
Easiest to look at over/under odds on this one, if  you want to start getting more in depth with your England World Cup group betting. Bet365 are offering World Cup odds of 1/2 for 6 points or over, and under 5 at 9/2. A fifty percent profit margin on your stake for England at least winning two and drawing one of their group matches, is pretty decent, and worth considering. You can, of course, start looking at nailing the exact points England will pick up in the group. Bet365 have odds of 15/8 for England to pick up 9 points, or Exactly 5-6 at 3/1. England should be good for at least two wins, so seven points will fetch you 21/10. These are narrower markets naturally, and the over/under markets do offer good prices and better coverage.

Manager: Fabio Capello
Captain: John Terry
FIFA Ranking: 8
World Cup appearances: 12
World Cup Winner: 1966 

England Article: Squad

England Team Profile

England, sometimes referred to as ‘Three Lions‘, are a nation of which big things are always expected of them. Their loyal followers back home in what is a football mad country, always raise the expectation levels whenever a major tournament passes by their doorstep, and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa will be no different.

The English are well renowned for their big fan base and the news is there will be over 100,000 English supporters in South Africa cheering their team on to what they hope will be World Cup glory, and they head to South Africa in high spirits after the English sailed through qualification. However, the ease at which England bypassed what seemed a pretty competitive Group at the time, will only add to the demand of the English public back home in a nation which expects a Golden delivery.

It used to be Spain who held the mantle for being the biggest underachievers in World football, but then the Spanish claimed the 2008 European Championship and the tag fell onto England’s shoulders, as the English haven’t lifted a major International trophy since 1966 when they won the World Cup on home soil. It’s been an absolute age without anything to celebrate, and what hurts the English supporters the most is England have rarely even looked like going close to winning either a World Cup or a European Championship. That should hopefully change in South Africa but England have a knack of disappointing.

Manager

It’s fair to say that Capello‘s appointment at the England helm wasn’t exactly met with open arms by every England fan, although everyone knew changes were needed after their failure to even qualify for the 2008 European Championships. Fabio Capello, a manager with a seemingly flawless and impeccable managerial CV, was brought in to restore some English pride that was previously lost through their failings to reach the last major tournament, and Capello’s honesty about England’s chances of reaching South Africa was like a breathe of fresh air, as Capello claimed England would definitely make South Africa’s show-piece. The Italian was to be right as England stormed through qualification, becoming one of the first few teams in the European sector to book their plane tickets to South Africa, to the relief of a football hungry nation.

Fabio Capello has been a revelation for England, installing some Italian discipline into the England camp which was certainly missing during Steve McClaren’s and Sven Goran Eriksson’s reigns as England coach. The players now respect the coach and feel privilege to be a part of the England set up once again, something that was also missing from the England camp before Capello’s appointment. The players know no-one is safe from Capello’s sharpened axe, and that everyone’s place is up for grabs should they not perform. Capello’s disciplined manner and approach has greatly improved how the England team operates and they are arguably entering into a World Cup in the best form of any of the recent England teams, so the expectation levels back home are rightly high, and it’s all down to one man – Fabio Capello.

With England having gone nearly a decade without a World Cup, Fabio Capello could etch his name into English folklore should he mastermind a successful campaign in South Africa. With the English fans, though, he’ll simply be known as a ‘Legend’ forever.

England Key Players

John Terry

It’s been a turbulent year for the former England skipper, who only this year relinquished his hold of the captain’s armband thanks to his infidelity issues, a subject we will try to avoid for now. Some were hoping it would make John Terry stronger, Terry against the world they hoped, but it did have a big affect on the Chelsea defender, and for all the wrong reasons. Thereafter, however, Terry’s performances for Chelsea declined and he was no longer seen as the rock at the heart of the Chelsea defence.

Nevertheless, there’s an immensely talented defender within John Terry waiting for it’s rebirth. At his best he can take the form of the world’s best centre back, commanding his defence in his authoritative manner, reading the play with precision and never afraid to get stuck in with a bold but fair tackle. He’s been a little off form before the World Cup finals, but England fans will be hoping John Terry quickly bounces back to his reliable self in time for a successful World Cup challenge.

Steven Gerrard

The Liverpool skipper didn’t have the best of seasons for his club as they endured one of their worst campaign for some time, while Gerrard has had his fair share of England critics down the years, so Gerrard, who will be making his third apperance in the finals of a World Cup, will have something to prove in South Africa. His commitment in an England shirt has been brought into question on more than one occasion, as the Liverpool born midfielder seemingly doesn’t play in the same forceful and constructive manner for his country like he does for his club, Liverpool.

Steven Gerrard is arguably the very best at what he does and his game is about several aspects, all of which he does to a very high standard. The accuracy of his passing is second to none; switching the ball from flank to flank isn’t a problem for the Merseyside star, tracking back and helping out in defence he does to a more than satisfactory level, while the standard at which he creates chances for everyone else, and the regularity of them, are both outstanding and admirable. However, the one crucial factor you get with Gerrard that you don’t with most Midfielders is this unique ability to defy adversity time and time again. Granted he’s only really produced something wonderful and spectacular for Liverpool and not for England, but the simple fact he’s saved Liverpool from the pits of despair on half-a-dozen occasions in his illustrious career is a huge positive for every England fan as the Three Lions could be in a position where exit from the competition looks imminent, but when you have a player in your team which you know can pop up with the goods when everyone else’s luck is out, it’s priceless and that’s the best word to desribe Steven Gerrard, regardless of whether or not he’s having a bad game or a bad tournament, Gerrard’s winning mentality is priceless and he can win any game of football at any given time.

With Steven Gerrard in your team, you can never be out of a game until the final whistle rings. If Gerrard has a big tournament this summer, then so do England!

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney was pushing Lionel Messi, the kid some are saying is looking more and more likely to be the greatest ever, all the way for Europe’s biggest player accolade before injuries spurred his chances of personal glory with the FIFA Player of the Year award. Rooney isn’t all about winning awards though, although he does enter into the World Cup in the knowledge that he was rated the Premiership’s best player for the 2009-2010 season. No, Rooney is a team player and he will strive to ensure England enjoy a good run in South Africa.

Within a year Wayne Rooney has seemingly been transformed into the complete striker, almost the perfect player in many respects. Sir Alex Ferguson has added versatility to his game, boosted his temperament and and converted the former play-maker into a goalscoring machine. Rooney always had goals in him but he was never scoring them with the alarming regularity that he is now. He’s been playing in a more central role up front for his club and it’s paid dividends, with Rooney ending the campaign with 26 league goals, while England were reaping the benefits of Rooney’s new found lease of forward life as the Manchester United striker finished a successful qualifying campaign as England’s most prolific forward with 9 goals in 9 qualifiers; averaging a goal every game for his country.

Rooney’s fiery attitude has cost him and England in previous tournaments, but the Liverpool born star has matured significantly in recent seasons and is now in the shape and form of his life. South Africa could be a huge tournament for Wayne Rooney as he looks to show the rest of the world what everyone in England has been talking about.

Strengths

The support England will get from their travelling fans will be amazing throughout their time in South Africa, and so long as the Three Lions keep progressing, the support will grow and grow. There will be over 100,000 English fans in South Africa to watch their team take on some of the World’s greatest football teams aiming to get a glimpses at perhaps the first England side to win the prestigious tournament since 1966. The fans will be in full voice at their games, and in plentiful supply, so whoever comes up against England will need to quieten the crowd if they wish to thwart England’s bid for glory.

The strength is depth is also a massive plus. England have genuine world-class quality in every position, while their back up is also first class. However, it’s the strength of their starting line up which will leave many nations in awe. Their defence consists of two of the World’s best defenders in John Terry (Chelsea captain) and Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United vice-captain), while Ashley Cole is rated as one of the World’s best left-backs. The midfield looks very solid yet full of creative spark and guile, with Gareth Barry sat in that holding role while Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard dictate the play just in front of him. The latter two also have goals in them, Lampard especially as he takes England’s spot-kicks. Gerrard can strike a ball from just about anywhere, and if England need a piece of magic at some stage, don’t be surprised if Steven Gerrard steps up to the mark. Up front we of course have Wayne Rooney – One of the World’s best on current form. 

Weaknesses

England do lack an out-an-out striker and as a result, means the Three Lions aren’t as danger from an attacking point-of-view as one might wish for. That may sound a tad amusing considering England finished with one of the higher goal returns during qualifying from the European sector, but the English were dominant in their group and often strolled through their qualifiers against the lesser nations. Against those with stronger defences, England will need more fire-power up top to break them down and could be found wanting if Wayne Rooney, a man upon the nations hopes are resting, doesn’t perform to the high standard we’ve all come to expect, or if he isn’t found a suitable striking partner. Fabio Capello has tested several forward partners for Rooney, and it would seem Emile Heskey is set to lead the line alongside the feisty Scouser.

Also, more than ever before perhaps, we rely heavily upon the displays and performances of one man – Wayne Rooney. The Manchester United forward was in scintillating form for his club during the 2009-2010 season and finished as the club’s top goalscorer, but he’s let his country down in previous tournaments, while injuries have also played havoc with his International progress on the big stage. Without him, England aren’t as threatening or intimidating, and that’s a huge concern.

England Qualification for the World Cup

Sector: Europe

Group: 6

Position: 1st

Win-Draw-Lose: 9-0-1

Goals Scored: 34

Goals Conceded: 6

World Cup Potential: 5/5

Will 2010 be the year England’s dreams become a reality? The expectation levels are always high with the England supporters, and it’s to be expected as rarely do they take a weak squad into a major tournament. 2010 will be no different and it will in fact be one of the stronger squads England have ever had in South Africa, so a big tournament should beckon for the Three Lions.

There are expected to be somewhere around 150,000 English fans in South Africa by the time the finals kick-off, so every English game should be packed out with English supporters. The support will be tremendous, as it always is, but once again there is tonnes of pressure on the England squad to perform and to deliver the goods in the form of the FIFA World Cup,after so many years of heartache and empty promises. We all say it every World Cup but this could be the year when England end the wait with their first World Cup victory since 1966.

England World Cup Betting Odds

England to win the World Cup:         8/1 – William Hill

Before the World Cup the odds on England were 8/1 

Official England World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers

Joe Hart (Birmingham City)

David James (Portsmouth)

Robert Green (West Ham United)

Defenders

Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)

Ashley Cole (Chelsea)

Michael Dawson (Tottenham Hotspur)

Glen Johnson (Liverpool)

Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur)

John Terry (Chelsea)

Matthew Upson (West Ham United)

Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa) 

Midfielders

Gareth Barry (Manchester City)

Michael Carrick (Manchester United)

Joe Cole (Chelsea)

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur)

James Milner (Aston Villa)

Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City)

Strikers

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur)

Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur)

Emile Heskey (Aston Villa)

last update: 18 June 2010

World Cup 2010 England Fixtures – Group C

27/06 – 15.00 – Round of the last 16: England – Germany: 1-4

World Cup Group C - Table

World Cup Fixtures and Results

World Cup Group of England