Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
The England v Bulgaria Betting odds suggest nothing but a home win is coming at Wembley. The gloom among the English press may suggest differently however.
Click here for Betfair odds & betting, plus a free £25 bet on the game.
England: 1/3 with VC Bet, Draw: 4/1 with Stan James, Bulgaria: 12/1 with Betfred
No Terry, No Lampard – and we thought this is what everyone wanted. Yet the gloom and malaise around England, from the tabloid perspective, apparently remains. There seems to be very limited enthusiasm for the whole contest. England’s possible central defence of Phil Jagielka and Michael Dawson does not inspire overwhelming confidence, while Ashley Cole remains a class act and Wayne Rooney has, at least, put ball into net, albeit from the penalty spot to give him some kind of confidence lift.
There were some signs of life in the friendly with Hungary in the performance of Adam Johnson and that a change in formation might have helped. Some of it all depends on what England are up against. Fabio Capello, in his press conference, not entirely seriously, suggested Bulgaria play 9-0-1 but are very good at counter attacking with it. Good pace and movement are not something that England defenders seem to enjoy dealing with. It also implies England will have to be patient nd keep possession against a side with men behind the ball. The square passing may annoy the less football literate home fans, who will want attack ad nauseam.
Bulgaria do have some familiar faces in striker Valeri Bojinov, and Martin and Stilian Petrov. They could hurt England at their best. It’s funny how when you write a preview of any England game it seems to have more questions than obvious answers. Huff, puff and a home win would do from an English perspective, though some seem to demand 3-0 and flowing footall ad nauseam. Few sides now are incapable of playing to frustrate when it needs be.
Best bet: Skybet say Steven Gerrard is 7/4 to score at any time. We’ll have some of that thanks.