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

Past meetings: There’s good news for Scotland and Wales

However the Republic of Ireland always lose away to Italy

chickendinner have put the records of all the home nations against their midweek opponents into a handy table to help you decide where there is money to be made betting on the World Cup qualifiers.

Scotland’s 100% record against Iceland makes the general 4/7 being offered on the home win look less stingy but hopes of the Republic of Ireland taking a point against Italy in Bari at 3/1with Bet365 are damaged by the fact the sides have never drawn in eight meetings. Does the fact Wales have won half of their meetings with Germany in Cardiff tempt you to back an unlikely home win at 7/1 with Boylesports?

Check out all the information in the table below before making your mind up:

Posted: March 31st, 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

Why Portugal might not win a must-win clash with Sweden

A preview of chickendinner’s favourite match of the week

Carlos Queiroz’s first term in charge of the Portuguese national team was short-lived after he failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup and without drastic improvement they could miss out on South Africa too.

Portugal are generally 8/13 for tomorrow’s home clash with Sweden and that appears far too short when bringing form into the equation. The hosts have won just one of their last six competitive games and that came away to Malta.

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

Victory over Bulgaria could put Ireland in a great position

Ireland/Bulgaria, 7.45pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

If other results go their way on Saturday then Ireland could move ten points clear of their rivals for the Group 8 play-off place with victory over Bulgaria, allowing them to travel to Italy on Wednesday with nothing to lose.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s side are already seven points clear thanks to the fact nobody besides themselves and Italy have won a game and with Dimitar Berbatov missing out for Bulgaria things have been set up nicely for Ireland to follow their rugby success with qualification to the football World Cup:

» Bulgaria have gone five games without a win and lasted tasted victory in a friendly away to Bosnia last August.

» Ireland on the other hand have lost just one of their last eight and are unbeaten in their four World Cup qualifiers, winning three.

Posted: March 26th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Spread betting advice for Scotland’s trip to Holland

extrabet.com preview a big weekend for Scottish football fans

Our favourite spread betting firm recently changed their name from IG Sport to extrabet.com but the excitement hasn’t been enough to stop them from providing us with a preview of Scotland’s World Cup qualifier in Holland:

“It’s been a tough old 55 years for Scottish football fans. Since 1954, the Scottish national side have failed to qualify for the World Cup on six occasions - including each of the last two. Even when they’ve qualified they have never progressed beyond the first round, winning just four of their 23 matches! It’s still early days but Scotland currently sit second in World Cup Qualifying Group 9 ahead of their trip to leaders Holland this Saturday so it’s a massive weekend for those who dare to dream.

Posted: March 25th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment