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England travel to Montenegro on Friday evening looking to book their place in Euro 2012.
Fabio Capello’s men need a point to progress to next summer’s tournament, although they are widely expected to win the game.
Montenegro may well be their nearest rivals in Group G, but England are far superior in every department and should secure three points with ease.
However, England should have qualified for Euro 2008 four years ago – they didn’t. Nothing is certain in football and the Three Lions must be aware that this is a potential banana skin for them.
Firstly, the home side will be extremely motivated to win the game. If they do that, they go to within three points of group leaders England and know that victory against Switzerland in their final game would progress.
This is because of their 0-0 draw at Wembley earlier in the qualifying campaign, another reminder that this is no easy game for England.
Montengro proved that night that they can frustrate England and with the added motivation of having qualification in their own hands should they win, this is an incredibly important night for the home side.
England fans know their football team never do things the easy way either. To slip up on Friday evening and be relying on Switzerland in the final group game of qualifying would be somewhat typical of how things have been in the last few years.
However, the bottom line is that England are the better team, have the better players and should win the game. They have too much quality not too. In the end though, it will come down to how the handle the pressure of their final Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
Memories will be fresh from the disappointing defeat to Croatia in qualifying for Euro 2008 four years ago and this should be used as motivation to make sure that this time, they get the job done.
Match odds
As mentioned, England are favourites to win the game. The best odds you can get for an away victory are 1.73 (8/11) with Betfred. For England to slip up and still qualify, in other words get a draw from this one you can get odds of 3.50 (5/2) with Victor Chandler.
A shock home win is 5.00 (4/1) with William Hill.
First goalscorer
Leading the line for England will be Wayne Rooney and he is 5.00 (4/1) for the first goal with Boylesports. Beyond the in-form striker you can select Darren Bent for the opening goal at 7.00 (6/1) with Ladbrokes.
However, with it uncertain that Bent will start, you might be better off looking at midfield trio Ashley Young, Theo Walcott or Frank Lampard to find the back of the net first.
The latter – who scored a hat-trick for Chelsea at the weekend – is 10.00 (9/1) with to prove more of his critics wrong be getting England off to a flying start in this one.
Half-time / Full-time
This is a great market for such an important game. You can bet how you think things might change in the first and second half.
For example, for England to be winning at half-time and still at full-time you can get odds of 2.40 (7/5) with SportingBet. However, if you expect England to start slow, you can go for the draw and half-time before England win the game at 4.00 (3/1).
Recommended bets
England to win 3/1 @ 15.00 (14/1) with Boylesports
England to be drawing at the break before winning the game at 4.00 (3/1)
