International
2008-05-28 - England vs United States
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
England
It seems pretty certain to me that when this fixture was arranged at the start of the season, it was with the European Championships in mind for England but so much has changed since then. The exit at the hands of Croatia cost Steve McClaren his job and this game now represents Fabio Cappello's third after the win over Switzerland and the defeat in France.
The game now offers the manager a chance to give a few of his fringe squad players a chance to show what they can do with the likes of Joe Hart and David Bentley expected to play roles. The only confirmed starter in this game is the Captain John Terry. Wayne Rooney will also be given a new strike partner tomorrow with Peter Crouch and Michael Owen out. Fabio Capello has confirmed he wishes to use Rooney as a 2nd striker tomorrow.
England have not been playing that well in the 2 games Capello has been in charge of with a struggling 2-1 win over Switzerland and a 1-0 defeat in France where they didnt perform at all. England have normally been noted for a solid defence, but have only kept 1 clean sheet in their last 5 games and that was against Israel at home. They have also only won 2 of those 5 games with the other 3 being defeats.
United States
The United States will begin their quest to make the 2010 World Cup in South Africa in the middle of June and will look to blood some youngsters in this game. They move on to play a friendly in Spain and at home against Argentina before their qualification match with Barbados in June.
Landon Donovan is expected to earn his 100th American cap in this match but Bob Bradley is otherwise expected to pick an experimental team.
The Americans won impressively in their last visit to Europe when they beat Poland 0-3, Poland having qualified for Euro2008 unlike England. They have also drawn with Mexico 2-2 at home and beaten Sweden, another Euro2008 qualifier, 2-0 at home this year. Furthermore, the USA have beaten both South Africa and Switzerland away from home 0-1.
Head to Head
The USA famously beat England 2-0 in 1993, a year before they hosted the World Cup. The last meeting between the sides was in 2005 when England won 1-2 in Boston. The United States have not played in England since 1994 when they lost 2-0.
Prediction
I dont see there will be too much motivation in this game for either side, but the boys starting for England will look to impress Fabio Capello before the World Cup qualifying begins.
The fact England have failed to qualify for the Euro Championships this Summer leaves potential for players to lose focus. The US have not really been giving out too many positive vibes in the build up to this game and will blood some players.
Therefore I will keep stakes smaller than I would for other International Friendly games and just play England to be leading by half time and go on to win the game.
The Pick :
England 2-0 United States
BEST BETTING TIP :
England HT/FT @ EvensGOONER NOTE : Best prices for this bet are 2.15 @ Centrebet, 2.10 at Canbet and 2.10 at Paddy Power
