International
2008-08-20 - England vs Czech Republic
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
England
Fabio Capello's England face the Czechs on Wednesday in their final friendly before the start of back-to-back away qualifiers in Andorra and Croatia.
A lot rests on this final friendly, Capello will have to choose his new captain which looks to be a two course race between John Terry and Rio Ferdinand. It is also the last chance to try something new, whether that's a formation or personnel, I fully expect to see many of Wednesday's starters to face Andorra in early September.
So as we expected a very experienced "first-choice" squad was named with all the house hold names appearing. In goal David James looks to have nailed down the "keepers" jersey at least for now with Hart(Maybe too young) and Robinson who made a howler at the weekend.
At the back of course the central pairing will be Terry and Ferdinand with Ashley Cole on the left. However, at right back it's not so clear cut with Neville not included the fight is between Glen Johnson and Wes Brown. Personally I feel Wes Brown has the nod due to experience and how commanding he was last season with Manchester United, although i'd imagine both to get a run out in the game regardless of who starts.
Now the midfield conundrum! Lampard and Gerrard? Gerrard and Barry? All 3? Bentley or Beckham on right? To be honest I don't think Capello has a set answer himself, I'm expecting England to play 4-3-3 with Barry, Lampard and Gerrard in the middle of the park with Joe Cole and Beckham/Bentley pushed further on the wings supporting Rooney who will play up top on his own. Despite saying he would drop anyone, I don't see Capello dropping Lampard or Gerrard come the start of the qualifying campaign so why drop them for Wednesday's game?
This system has them both along with Barry the only fear I have is if England decide to go 4-4-2 with Heskey/Defoe partnering Rooney. However, with an AWAY game in Croatia to come I can't imagine England going there 4-4-2 looking to win the game, the first priority is not to lose or at least get a foothold in the game and then maybe adapt to a more attacking formation. I could be wrong but that's how i see England lining up against the Czechs. James, Brown, Terry, Rio, Cole, Beckham/Bentley, Lampard, Barry, Gerrard, J Cole, Rooney.
Most England fans are hoping for a dominant, confident display from Capello's side. If the midfield gels, something that hasn't happened for a few years now! Then England will surely have too much for a transitional Czech side. Rooney must learn to become a striker and relinquish his defensive duties, Capello wants to see Wayne in final third rather than in midfield hurrying players. Hopefully in this system he is able to do this.
Czech Republic
After crashing out of the Euro's at the group stage this summer the Czech Republic parted ways with their 7 year coach Karel Brückner and have installed his assistant Petr Rada as their new coach.
Rada has high pressure installed on him to at the very least qualify for South Africa in 2010, yet he takes charge of a side that has failed to make it out of the group stages in the last 2 major championships. In the 06 World Cup Italy and Ghana got the better of the Czechs whilst in the recent European Championship's a spirited Turkey and Portugal took the two qualifying slots.
With the likes of Nedved and all time top scorer Jan Koller retiring from International football the Czech's are craving a new leader to drive this team on. The current captain and play-maker is Thomas Rosicky who looks set for a bright future as skipper but unfortunately for Rada, just like in the summer, Rosicky will be absent for Wednesday's game as the Arsenal midfielder recovers from injury. Another player for the future Libor Sionko is also missing through injury which is big blow to the already depleted Czech attack.
On a brighter note the Czech's can rely on the highly experienced and reliable Milan Baros who seems to only score for his country and not his club! He will be partnered by debutant Michal Papadopoulos who has been picked by Rada as a replacement for Koller , "Papadopoulos is a player of similar stature to Jan Koller and that is why I decided to call him up," said Rada (quote from www.sport.cz). Other than Baros the main threat will come from Vaclav Sverkos, who made an impression at Euro 2008 by scoring the winner against Switzerland. Sverkos has scored a lot of goals for club side Banik and has 1 goal in his 3 appearances for the Czechs, he is clearly one for the future and will do himself now harm in finding a bigger club if he impresses on Wednesday night.
At the back the Czech's are very solid with defenders Zdenek Grygera, Tomas Ujfalusi and Marek Jankulovski all available ahead of the ever dependent Petr Cech between the sticks. Regardless of who features the Czech philosophy remains the same, quick, attractive football with a fast counter-attack style.
THE VERDICT
On Wednesday night we may see England controlling things in the middle of the park but this will play into the Czech's counter attack play, a bit like when Croatia came to Wembley and won 3-2 last year.
If the Czechs are able to get some fluidity in their game I can see them at least scoring but with England at home and it being a built-up game in the media then I expect the English to come away with the victory.
The Pick :
England 2-1 Czech Republic
