Will this be the year when England finally deliver?

We’re not convinced. Farewell 44 years of hurt, roll on 48!

This could well prove England’s best chance to win the World Cup in 20 years (we’re too scarred to wonder “what if” about the collapse against Brazil in 2002) but it still looks like they will come up short.

There’s no doubt that the Three Lions have the might coach in Fabio Capello, and for a second it looked like the team wasn’t too shabby either, but events so far this season haven’t been great preparation.

In goal, first-choice David James has been permanently crocked, second-choice Robert Green has endured a blip - his first since joining West Ham in 2006 - and third-choice Ben Foster has been awful.

Birmingham loanee Joe Hart has been the star performer but has just one cap, and if he took the number one jersey would be heading for the World

Posted: January 7th, 2010 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Arsenal and Manchester United’s most likely scorers

chickendinner’s Champions League goalscorer betting guide

Here’s chickendinner’s look at some of the frontrunners to score the goals that could send Arsenal and Manchester United through as group winners tonight:

Arsenal:

Robin van Persie (first goalscorer 7/1, anytime goalscorer 9/4, last goalscorer 7/1) scored twice in Arsenal’s last away game against Chelsea and also grabbed a brace in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Porto earlier this season. The Dutchman has scored nine times this season but may be rested.

William Gallas (first goalscorer 28/1, anytime goalscorer 11/1, last goalscorer 28/1) has scored three Champions League goals already this season, a total topped only by Emmanuel Adebayor (four).

Posted: December 10th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | 1 Comment

Five reasons why Manchester United will win big tonight

Man Utd/Aalborg, 7.45pm, Sky Sports 2, Best Odds, Free Bets

The last sixteen in this year’s competition have already been confirmed without any real surprises so all Manchester United have left to play for is the chance to top their group. This is supposed to guarantee an easier knockout stage draw but with Inter Milan finishing second in their group and Bayern Munich and Real Madrid likely to follow tonight, any advantage is minimal. United are generally 1/5 to win tonight but the best value in on them winning by four or more goals, available at 4/1 with Boylesports, or to score five at 11/2 with Sky Bet. Here’s why:

1. Aalborg have let in 12 goals in the Champions League group stages this season – the second highest in the competition after five games - and conceded six away to Villarreal.

2. With their UEFA Cup spot guaranteed, Aalborg have nothing left to play for. They failed to score on their last visit to Britain to face Celtic and alarmingly have a negative goal difference even in their domestic league, which they won last season.

Posted: December 10th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

How many of England’s absent stars will score for their clubs this weekend?

Paddy Power offer 7/2 on three or more stayaways grabbing goals

Before they surprised most critics by winning 2-1 in Berlin, England’s friendly with Germany was labelled a farce because of the number of regulars who pulled out with injuries.

Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney weren’t criticised too strongly because they had actually missed Manchester United’s game against Stoke but Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard’s withdrawals were met with suspicion after both played ninety minutes last weekend.

Paddy Power have decided to test just how serious these injuries are by opening a market on how many of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole and Wes Brown score this weekend.

For none of them to score is 2/1, for one to score is 7/4, for two to score is 5/2 while three or more is 7/2. After the jump is the chickendinner verdict on each player’s likelihood of scoring, although of course it will all depend on how many of them start:

Posted: November 20th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment