England vs Special

With Wayne Rooney - England's current (active) top scorer - ruled out for England's first two matches of the tournament through suspension they will be needing to rely on goals from elsewhere. There is a bit of value in locating where they will come from.

 

Andy Carroll - 2pts @ 8.00 William Hill

 

Likely to start in attack instead of Rooney for the first two matches (v France and Sweden) the Geordie target man, if in form, is likely to trouble both defences with his strength and height. Newcastle fans have witnessed his goalscoring prowess first hand, even if Liverpool fans didn't so much last season, and if given a chance Carroll might just grab it with both hands.

 

Steven Gerrard - 2pts @ 10.00 BlueSq

 

Gerrard will be England's captain for the tournament and, apart from Rooney, is probably the team's most important player. Gerrard will play an attacking midfield role, supporting Carroll, and is also likely to be responsible for penalties and the majority of free kicks in and around the box. Apart from Rooney, no-one in the squad has more goals for England than Stevie G.

 

Ashley Young - 2pts @ 8.00 BlueSq

 

The Manchester United winger has a keen eye for goal and he's been displaying it rather alot lately, particularly in an England shirt. He has 4 goals in England's last 6 matches - a strike rate that any forward would be envious of and Young is playing in midfield. Ashley Young is likely to start most matches and if he does so could find the net more than once.

 

Bear in mind to be England's top goalscorer is only likely to require two or three goals. If England are knocked out in the group stages it could even be that any player who scores even once is Top Goalscorer.

 

The final tip I would like to make for England in this tournament is perhaps my favourite and I think the odds are incredible. Paddypower have a 'To score during the tournament' market and for England the one stand-out price is Gary Cahill at odds of 10. Cahill is likely to start alongside John Terry in the centre of defence for England and has already shown he has an eye for goal. Despite only having eight caps, Cahill has scored twice for his country and will always be a danger from set pieces.

 

Gary Cahill to score during the tournament

 

1pt @ 10.0 Paddypower