Andorra are 229/1 to beat England tonight, 79/1 to draw

England/Andorra, 8.15pm, ITV1, Free Bets, Best Odds

If there is one criticism of England under Fabio Capello, it’s that they take too long to break down minnows. It took 49 minutes to break down Andorra in Barcelona, 52 to find a way past Kazakhstan at Wembley and then 40 away to them last weekend. Andorra boss David Rodrigo has noticed the trend and plans to frustrate the Three Lions tonight, although Betfair odds of 229/1 show that he’s not expected to have much success. Here are some stats about what surely must be a home banker, even if it’s played in front of no fans:

Click here to claim a £25 no loss bet with Betfair

» England have won their three previous meetings with Andorra without conceding a goal, scoring ten in the process.

» Andorra coach Rodrigo’s claimed that “England have always had problems when they have played against us and have been made to work hard to get the first goal.” However, they were beaten 5-0 on their last trip to Wembley in 2006 with the opening goal coming in the fifth minute from Peter Crouch.

» The minnows have lost their last 20 competitive games and their overall record in qualifying games is P58 W1 D2 L55. They’ve taken just a point from 29 away qualifiers - a 0-0 draw in FYR Macedonia in February 2005.

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

Ten statistics about England’s qualifying clash with Ukraine

England/Ukraine, Wednesday 8pm, ITV1, Free Bets, Best Odds

England fans have a reputation for fickleness but the antics of the Wembley crowd must seem refreshing to Fabio Capello when compared to the actions of some supporters in his homeland. Italy fans in Bari are expected to boo Marcello Lippi, the man who won them the World Cup, tonight and cheer his predecessor Giovanni Trapattoni, the man who twice flopped in international tournaments. The reason? Lippi refused to call up their favourite son Antonio Cassano. Capello on the other hand can expect a hearty applause this evening despite trying to pick even Darren Bent ahead of Michael Owen. Here’s ten stats about tonight’s game with Ukraine:

1. Both teams are unbeaten in Group 6, with England winning all four of their games. Ukraine have won two and drawn one of their three.

2. Ukraine are unbeaten in eight games and have won four consecutive away games.

3. However, they have been seen off easily on their two previous trips to England - losing 2-0 in 2000 and 3-0 in 2004.

Posted: April 1st, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

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

Check out Betfair’s Carling Cup Final Big Match Wizard

Man Utd/Spurs, Sunday 3pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

chickendinner have teamed up with Betfair to produce this device which tells you what impact each player is likely to have on proceedings in the Carling Cup final. Click here to check it out now!

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

Five reasons why Tottenham could retain the Carling Cup

Man Utd/Spurs, Sunday 3pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

We’re not pretending for a second that you spend your whole month’s wages betting on a Tottenham triumph but here are five reasons why a Manchester United victory isn’t the sure thing that many are suggesting:

1. Tottenham have a brilliant record against the Big Four and have only lost one of their seven meetings with them this season - the 2-1 FA Cup loss to Manchester United when they played their “mish-mash” side.

2. And Spurs have already got past the other three Big Four sides in this competition over the last fourteen months - beating Arsenal in last season’s semi-finals, Chelsea in the final and Liverpool in this year’s fourth round.

3. Both sides have contested six Carling Cup finals but Tottenham have a 67% win rate in them compared to Manchester United’s 33%. Spurs have triumphed on four occasions, with United lifting the cup just twice.

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

Luton fans could be set for a well-earned trip to Wembley

Luton/Brighton, 7.45pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Chelsea fans who complain about how hard done by they are because they are fourth in the Premier League should spare a thought for Luton’s loyal supporters. Three-and-a-half years ago they were top of the Championship but this season, despite effectively being relegated before a ball was kicked courtesy of a ridiculous thirty-point deduction, they have averaged the second highest crowd in League Two.

It’s fitting therefore that those who have sat through a season of suffering, being forced to wait until January for the privilege of reaching the zero point mark, all the while knowing that they’d be nine points clear of the drop if it wasn’t for the handicaps inflicted on Rotherham, Bournemouth and themselves, will get a day out at Wembley in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final if they beat Brighton at their Kenilworth Road home tonight.

Posted: February 17th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment