World Cup bets on 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

England v Slovenia Betting Odds

England to win: 1/2 at SkyBet
Draw: 10/3 at Bet365
Slovenia to win: 7/1 at Paddy Power

England

England coach Fabio Capello has apparently already made the decision of who will partner John Terry at the heart of England’s defence for their crucial final match of Group C. With Ledley King injured and Jamie Carragher suspended, West Ham’s Matthew Upson will get his chance to step up to the plate. Upson was called upon plenty of times during England’s qualification campaign, and it was to some surprise that Capello picked King and Carragher ahead of him. Without ever really shining, Upson is a steady defender, and may provide just a little more pace at the back than either King or Carragher could. While this change was forced upon the England boss, there are more changes brewing though apparently, with Capello saying that he will probably change others. The most likely other change would striker Emile Heskey dropping out of the starting eleven, as England need to go in search of goals. The last time England failed at the group stage of a World Cup, was in 1958.

England simply need to win against Slovenia in order to progress to the second round as expected. They were tipped to win the group from the off, and they can still do, but it was all supposed to be a lot easier than they have made it. England have struggled through two drawn matches, which may not prove to be too much of a disaster, but they have looked very slow with their running, passing and general movement. Whether it all down to the pressure and weight of expectation, but something needs to give. Even England’s talisman Wayne Rooney has looked below his best, but then the supply to him from midfield has been extremely poor. Fabio Capello held an opening meeting with his players after the dire performance against Algeria, giving everyone a chance to air their views. There have been rumours about the players not enjoying the Capello system, but that is hard to buy into after it is the same system which served them so successfully through qualification.

England look a shadow of the team they were during European qualification, and it is hard to put a question on why. Maybe over confidence. Maybe the pressure. Maybe they have underestimated the competition, and now they have had their wake up calls, things should be addressed in a professional manner. England fans want more, and now the players and the coach have to deliver as there will be no more chances for them. The life of an England manager is not an easy one, and now there are worries that Capello may quit his role if England do not make it to the last sixteen of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. But Capello has been honest in his assessment of his team, saying that he doesn’t understand why the players are unable to change tempo and get themselves motivated. It is hard to see Capello as a quitter, and regardless of what happens against Slovenia, it will be in England’s best interest to hold onto him. The performances are not completely his failings. It is basically the same group of players which have let England down so poorly before at tournament, like in Germany 2006, where they also looked uninspired.

Will Capello use Steven Gerrard in an attacking midfield role? That is the one area in which Capello has been criticised most, not using Gerrard to his full potential. Will he play Rooney as a lone striker, a role in which he relishes? This would pile responsibility on the Manchester United striker to grab games by the scruff of the neck, and could be the way to get him to respond. Will Capello then use the creativity of Joe Cole from the left? Something has to give, another turgid 4-4-2 display from England may not suffice. The passion has to be stepped up. The pride has to be stepped up. The drive, determination and the pace at which they play needs to be stepped up. Remember at Italia ‘90, England were in the same position in their group, having drawn their opening two matches. Coach Bobby Robson then made some changes for their final group match, beating Egypt to qualify. England reach the World Cup semi finals that year. So all hope is not lost for England and Capello. Can all of them rise to the occasion?

England World Cup 2010 Stats
Played: W0, D2, L0
GF/GA: 1/1
Cards: Y4, R0
Most Shots: Frank Lampard, 8
Top Scorer: Steven Gerrard, 1
Shots/On Goal: 33/14
Fouls Committed: 25
Total Passes: 1093
Pass Completion: 73%

Slovenia

If it is to some surprise that they have a healthy amount of points on the board, then it should not be. They were never going to be pushovers in the group, and were a good bet to steal second place behind England. They actually now have the chance to go one better than that, and win the group with a win over Fabio Capello’s side. While that would mean the unthinkable for England, for Slovenia it would be an immense success story. The European minnows have a good crop of players, and, as shown in the first half of their match against the USA, they were able to string together some quick passing and counter attack at pace. Pace is the one thing which England have lacked, and will have to be careful of the threat Slovenia pose in that department. Slovenia will also have two bustling, battling tough forwards in Milivoje Novakovic and Zlatan Ljubijankic, for Terry and Upson to try and contend with, and Slovenia, who beat Russia and Slovakia along the way in qualifying for the World Cup, will fancy their chances. They will have seen England struggle for momentum, and while the Slovenians fell apart in the second half of the match against the USA, they battled hard and still looked a threat on the break. Slovenia actually have a solid defence, which was stood up very well in their qualification campaign. England will have to show a lot more conviction and invention to break them down.

Slovenia top the group going into the final round of matches, and a draw would be sufficient for them to progress through. That makes England’s task even harder, as the Slovenians know that they can sit back and rely on the control that Birsa and Koren give them. A draw may suffice for England, but that would leave their fate in the hands of Algeria, who they would need to beat the USA for Capello’s men to progress in that situation. Even in this situation with Slovenia holding the slight advantage, there is belief in World Cup betting that England, who have the superior quality, will pull through. For Slovenia to stop that happening, they will need to play to their strengths. They work hard as a team, and can stroke the ball around when not under pressure. It is the pressure and tempo which England need, as they will have seen Slovenia crack under the high tempo game the USA played in the second half. All to play for, but have England left it too late?

Slovenia World Cup 2010 Stats
Played: W1, D1, L0
GF/GA: 3/2
Cards: Y6, R0
Most Shots: Valter Birsa, Robert Koren, 4
Top Scorer: Three players, 1
Shots/On Goal: 14/8
Fouls Committed: 25
Total Passes: 944
Pass Completion: 71%

Asian Handicap Betting Tip: England have to score, and you have to back them to do it. With the pressure on and the need to respond, you should see England as more of an attacking force, especially if Capello is going to be brave and shake things up. Experience in these types of situation is vital, and that’s where England could be much stronger.
England -1.25 for 6/5 at Paddy Power
 

Current England V Slovenia Odds:

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