I really cannot understand how can England be so big favorite here. Russia is not some average team so the odds to be in favor of this not complete England team. Yes, England played very good football against Israel, but I rate Israel much worse team than Russian one. Russia also played very good football, very confident football, with creating a lots of chances against good defensive team like Macedonia and they even scored two goals with player less.

This is very important battle for both teams, England needs three points because they have one point less than Russians and harder schedule, they will play against England in Moscow and Israel and Andorra away and England will play against Russia away, Estonia away and Croatia at home. So according to the current positions on the table and schedule until the end and current saying of Hiddink, they will be more satisfied with a draw. They are good defensively, conceding only one goal so far, from Israel and they have really good fast counter attack.

England without Lampard and Hargreaves with Barry and Gerrard in the central midfield, with Crouch and Heskey fighting for the place along side Owen in the attack, is not that strong as the current odds are showing. I believe in Hiddink ability to keep this match tight and maybe on some counter attack they will finish the England chances for Euro 2008. My only fear is that the referees will give a little help to the mighty England because England fans are those who are traveling in biggest number of this kind of events and huge amount of money will be lost by the hosts nations if England fail to qualify.



Pick : Away
Odds : 1.78
Stake : 5 / 10
Bookmaker : Stan James
Match Result :
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