Why there should be at least three goals scored at Wembley

England/Slovakia, 5.15pm, Setanta Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Some fans feared that England would become more boring to watch with an Italian in charge but the truth is that they were already coma-inducingly bad most of the time. Despite concerns that Fabio Capello would look to grind out 1-0 wins, there has already been a 5-1, a 4-1 and a 3-0. Here’s why Saturday’s friendly should also feature over 2.5 goals, which is 5/6 with Sky Bet:

» Seven consecutive Slovakia matches have contained at least three goals, while four of the last five have had over 3.5, which is available at 7/4 with Paddy Power.

» Eight of England’s last nine home games have featured more than 2.5 goals.

Posted: March 27th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Slovakia: impressive in qualifying, awful in friendlies

England/Slovakia, 5.15pm, Setanta Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Photo Credit: Lewis Whyld/PA

The only one of England’s four home games under Fabio Capello that they failed to win came against the Czech Republic, who are below Slovakia in the incredibly tight World Cup Qualifying Group 3. However, Slovakia have a curious habit of performing worse when the pressure is off, putting their feet up in friendlies rather than carrying over their form in competitive matches.

» Slovakia have won four of their last five competitive games - an impressive record for a team who have never qualified for an international tournament.

» However, they have won just one of their last eleven friendlies. That win came at home to Liechtenstein, the team ranked 151st in the world.

» Their two friendly matches so far this year - at home to Ukraine and away to Cyprus - have ended in 3-2 defeats. England are 41.0 on Betfair to win by that scoreline tomorrow.

Posted: March 27th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Five reasons why Spain will beat Fabio Capello’s England

Spain/England, Wednesday 9pm, ITV1, Free Bets, Best Odds

England have won five consecutive away games and Spain have lost their last two matches in Seville but despite those good omens, it’s difficult to see anyone beating the Euro 2008 winners right now. Boylesports are offering 6/5 and here are five reasons why that price is unbelievably generous:

1. Spain are unbeaten in 28 internationals, of which they have won 25. They haven’t lost since a 1-0 friendly loss to Romania in November 2006.

2. That incredible unbeaten run started with a 1-0 victory over England two years ago at Old Trafford.

3. Spain have also triumphed 1-0 in each of their last two home games against England.

4. England have failed to even score in four of their last five meetings with Spain whereas the hosts have scored in every home game over the last two-and-a-half years.

5. Fabio Capello was beaten on his last trip to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium when Sevilla conquered his Real Madrid side 2-1 two seasons ago.

Posted: February 10th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Which teams does Fabio Capello watch play the most?

The England boss visits West Ham more than Everton and Villa

chickendinner have investigated how often Fabio Capello has watched every team in Premier League action this season and while the results make great reading for Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole, Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka won’t be pleased with their club’s position on the Italian’s radar.

Capello hasn’t watched Everton once in the league and despite Aston Villa’s recent reputation for nurturing English talent, the England boss has watched them in just three league games while checking out West Ham seven times:

Is the fact that all five London clubs are in Capello’s top seven most-watched a sign of a southern bias? Does his fondness of watching West Ham mean Upson will be joined by some club colleagues in the Spain squad? Let us know what you think with a comment below.

*08-09 refers to the league matches he has watched involving that team this season, while total refers to the number since becoming England manager*

Posted: February 5th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Why England’s reserves still stand a chance in Berlin

England/Germany, 7.45pm, ITV1, Best Odds, Free Bets

With ten players ruled out through injury and David Beckham missing because of a lack of match fitness, England have a convenient excuse lined up should it all go wrong tonight in Berlin. However, in the past the away team has had the advantage in these encounters so Fabio Capello will be hoping that trend plays in his favour tonight:

» England have never lost in Berlin - winning four and drawing three of their games against West Germany and unified Germany.

» And the Three Lions last trip to Germany was in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers when England historically won 4-2.

» Likewise, Germany perform better away from home against England, going unbeaten on their last five trips to London with four wins and a penalty shoot-out victory in the other, proving that if anything it’s more a case of home disadvantage than advantage when England meet Germany.

Posted: November 19th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment