Pressure on England whilst Northern Ireland aim for football betting shock
After a last-minute stay of execution courtesy of the minnows of Israel, football
betting fans have one last, unexpected chance to lend their backing to England’s
Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.
Omer Golan’s late winner handed Israel a shock 2-1 win over Russia to put England’s
qualification fate back in their own hands as they welcome group leaders Croatia
to Wembley.
Unless a football betting shock of monumental proportions takes place in the Pyrenees
takes place at the same time, Russia will complete a convincing victory over Andorra
leaving England needing a point against the already qualified Croatians.
The UEFA system of using the head-to-head record, rather than goal difference in
splitting sides on equal points means that regardless of the margin of victory for
Russia against the point-less Andorrans, England would still qualify if they can
snatch a draw whilst a 2-0 win would be enough for Steve McLaren’s side to
top Group E.
England will have to do without the regular strike pairing of Wayne Rooney and Michael
Owen, with the latter picking up a thigh injury in the friendly win over Austria
on Friday, so Peter Crouch will lead the England line, either as a lone striker or
alongside Tottenham striker Jermaine Defoe.
Steve McLaren and the England players have called on the fans to urge their side
on to glory and the football betting punters have already backed the side with England
clear favourites for the Wembley decider.
But whilst the attention is very much on England this Wednesday, Northern Ireland
are also on the brink of a massive football betting shock as they look to qualify
for their first ever European Championships and their first major tournament since
the 1986 World Cup thanks to their impressive 2-1 victory over Denmark on Saturday.
It would take a massive football betting shock for Nigel Worthington’s side
to progress to Austria and Switzerland as not only do they have to beat already-qualified
Spain in Gran Canaria but they are also reliant on Latvia beating Sweden in Solna.
It’s sure to be a night of high drama and tense moments for what will be a
vociferous crowd at Wembley. With the pressure on England and McLaren and with Northern
Ireland fans keeping their fingers crossed for the biggest of all football betting
fairytales, there’s never been a better week to check out the international
football betting odds at Blue Square.
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