International
2012-05-26 - Norway vs England
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: International Friendly
Saturday 26 May 2012 - Kick Off 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Norway
Norway were in a tough qualification group for Euro 2012 and they were perhaps a touch unfortunate to have missed out to Denmark and Portugal, both of whom have qualified for the Summer event in Poland/Ukraine. That doesn't mean that a friendly against England will be any less important to them.
It was only goal difference that separated Norway from Portugal in the qualifying group as both finished with 16 points and behind Denmark in the table. Norway were actually unbeaten in their 4 home games in the group, winning 3 of those games including against Portugal.
Norway have won 3 of their last 4 games, including a friendly win in Belfast against Northern Ireland 0-3 back in February. The team have enjoyed a good run of form at home, winning 6 of their last 7 in front of their own fans and they are unbeaten in those games. Norway have also had wins over the likes of Portugal, France and the Czech Republic during that run.
England
Roy Hodgson can finally get his life underway as the England manager as he takes charge of his first game as the national manager. With a little over 2 weeks left before their first game at Euro 2012, this is an opportunity to give some players a chance to impress, while also allowing Hodgson to get his tactics across to his squad.
England qualified comfortably enough for the tournament in Poland/Ukraine, but their group was not the toughest and they perhaps made it tougher work than it should have been. Since then, it has been all change with Fabio Capello moving on and this will only be their second game since the Italian resigned. England finished with 3 wins and a draw from their 4 away games in the qualifiers.
The team were beaten 2-3 at home against Holland in their last game in February, although they had recorded friendly wins over Sweden and Spain before that. England have won 4 of their last 5 away games, although drawing 2-2 with Montenegro in their last game on their travels.
With the Chelsea players being rested and Wayne Rooney also missing out in preparation for the first two games in the European Championships. Rob Green, Phil Jagielka, Joleon Lescott, Martin Kelly and Andy Carroll are all expected to start.
Head to Head
This will be the first meeting between the nations since October 1995 when they drew 0-0 in Norway in a friendly game.
The last two games between the teams have both ended 0-0 since the most famous game between them in the World Cup 1994 qualification campaign when Norway beat England 2-0. The commentary from that game is very well known with the Norwegians being beside themselves as the England 'boys took a hell of a beating'.
Norway are unbeaten in 3 home games against England since June 1966.
Prediction
Anyone who goes rushing in with big money on a friendly game just two weeks before a major international tournament begins seriously needs to have their brains tested- going big on friendlies is insane as far as I am concerned, but even more so when the motivation is to test formations and personnel, while players just want to avoid an injury that would rule them out of a tournament.
My problem in this game is that England seem to be priced up with the 'new manager honeymoon period' in mind and they look far too short in a game where they will be missing some of their important players.
Add in the fact that Norway have a very strong home record in recent games and have picked up wins against some top European teams and you can see why I am a little confused with the prices quoted on the game.
I did consider picking Norway to win the game, but instead I will just take a small interest that the home side avoid defeat. They have been tough to play at home, while England look a little suspect at the back and perhaps are lacking goals in the side with Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck both unlikely to be involved.
The Pick :
Norway 1-1 England
