ENGLAND kick off their World Cup campaign tonight and the jury's out on Roy Hodgson's side with expectations low having been paired in Group D with Italy and Uruguay.
It really is any two from three to go through and when it comes to the knockout stage anything can happen.
Paddy Power wrote off England's hopes by offering enhanced odds of 100-1 to win the tournament. That didn't tempt me but must have caught the eye of Daily Record columnist Barry Ferguson who said in yesterday's paper England “could” go all the way.
I don't see where he's coming. England have some decent players but not enough in the world-class bracket and making the last eight – where they are likely to face Brazil or Spain – would be satisfactory.
Much has been said about how Hodgson's boys will be affected by the heat and humidity. They'll suffer but tonight so will Italy so no one has an advantage.
Throw in the fact the Manuas pitch is manure and I can't get away from feeling the opener will be a dour draw – although that goes against what we've seen so far in a surprisingly open start to the tournament with only Cameroon failing to score.
However it's a game no side wants to lose and a point will give both a chance to go through with Uruguay and Costa Rica to follow.
A scoreless draw is a possibility and two of the last three meetings have finished 0-0 – the other being 1-0 to Italy. One of those 0-0s came in the last meeting at Euro 2012 where the Italians progressed on penalties.
Comparison side easyodds point out the draw is the shortest of any of the first-round prices at 2-1 with most firms – and I can see why.
No scorer – and remember back that instead of 0-0 correct score in case there's an OG – pays 11-2 at Skybet and Coral.
If backing 0-0 scares you – and I'm not a huge fan – consider a punt on 1-1 at 11-2 with McBookie and William Hill.
Italy have drawn six of their last seven and only four of the last 19 fixtures between the two nations have been won by more than one goal.
Both teams have scored in only four of the last 12 meetings, according to easyodds, and Skybet go 4-6 for no to btts.
Italy are pretty solid side with useful players all over the park. Andrea Pirlo is the player England need to stop from dominating the midfield. He remains a class act and is 8-1 favourite at Ladbrokes to be named man of the match.
Ciro Immobile has been talked up for a starting role up front instead of Mario Balotelli after his hat-trick in the friendly against Fluminese and last season's Serie A top scorer is 8-1 at McBookie and Coral to hit the opener. I wouldn't back Immobile until team news is confirmed because there is no doubt England players would fear but know more about Balotelli.
Daniel Sturridge will be up front for England and the Liverpool ace is 7-1 at Ladbrokes to score first.
Earlier Uruguay kick off Group B against Costa Rica and with three tougher tests to follow must get off to a flier.
Liverpool star Luis Suarez won't feature as he fights for fitness and that's a concern but the South Americans have Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan to fill in.
Costa Rica have won two of their last nine games and failed to score in five of those. They are expected to be the whipping boys of Group D and I can't see past Uruguay at 1-2 with Coral.
Goal difference could play a part in this tight section so even without Suarez the favourites will be looking to score as many as possible. Back them at minus one at 11-8 with Skybet and minus two is much riskier at 4-1 at boylesports.
Cavani is first-scorer favourite at 4-1 with McBookie and bet365 but I like the look of World Cup expert Forlan who is 5-1 with the same firms.
Uruguay have kept four clean sheets in their last five and are 11-10 at Paddy Power and Bet365 to win to nil.
Recommended Bets
England v Italy draw (11pm)
(2-1, various)
Uruguay -1 (8pm)
(11-8, Skybet)
Forlan to score first (8pm)
(5-1, bet365)
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In December 2020 we sadly 
For me it’s 0-0 or 1-1 in Italy game. My suggestion would be to back both as several bookies offering a bore draw refund if the games ends 0-0 which means you’ll get paid out for the 0-0 as well as getting your 1-1 stake refunded.
With you Chris !
Never mind the last eight, last sixteen will be an achievement! Forza Italia!
I could write a thesis on this game. But its pointless. This is a money making site.
So there is nothing to say. Italy are a complex, highly intelligent side that are better technically and tactically than England.
That does not make England a bad side in the Italian eyes. It makes them a different side, and in that respect, a highly dangerous side.
Pace and Power are the two things Italy sees as England’s strong points.
Those are two things they do not underestimate.
Its a tight game – England should appreciate they are playing the second best team in the world when it comes to this tournament. I really cannot believe Italy will underestimate England – Rooney said England are better than Italy – already he makes himself look a fool in the making. Italians wont stoop so low – the score will tell something, but it wont tell everything.
Italians are canny, cool and streetwise, still a team built from the street – hard knocks, brain damage, a few broken legs..its still a team that learned its trade on the street.
Its very very hard to call – we know England but we have no idea about Italy. That is what Italians are saying, if they win its a pure masterstroke of Prandelli genius – if they lose? then its Prandelli taking things too far and too complex.
NOT EASY>..
Oor man, you’re right. Not easy and I’m off to sleep on it.
** Obviousy as Mr Fixit has already pointed out, back no Goalscorer as opposed to 0-0
If its 0,0.
People should be aware here. Italy are going for the win. There is no doubt. Prandelli is NOT going for a draw. England might me, but Italy are going for a WIN. Italy MUST top the group. It is as simple as that.
Oor man, are you having a laugh
“England should appreciate they are playing the second best team in the world when it comes to this tournament”
You may well be on the wind up but we will see, Italy will be nowhere near the semi’s and same for England. You will be lucky to get out the group if we draw first game. Second best team in the world at world cup, WOW Spain getting a hammering makes you strangely happy about your country. No chance of a semi!!!!!!
Max, cool down, they are the second most successful team in WC history.
I never said Italy would get to the semis. Actually I said two weeks ago perhaps the QF..so cool down and get a grip.
And Max, ‘Italy’ is not my country. Worse still, I am supporting Argentina at the world cup, but Italy will be my second team.
Clarify, I mean the expectation is for Italy to top the group, but history proves winning group teams do not always win cups. Italian history shows they can play awful football until it matters.
Spain are a recent winning team – Italy and Brazil are the old crumbling baroque teams of this tournament that are never far away and Germany are one of the most consistent sides. I am a football fan first and foremost so I appreciate quality whoever it is that displays it. The Spain game last night means nothing.
Max I think oor man is stating that Italy is the 2nd best team in World Cups as in Winners of the World Cup.
1 plus 2 totally agree, however the very fact you and I have to point his fact out to max; SPEAKS VOLUMES read before you post a smartarse response max it is the epitome of ignorance to presume with such arrogance………
Well said max. He can write as many essays as he wants but at the moment italy are a terrible terrible team that if England ‘overestimate’ then they won’t get a result. If England are positive on Saturday night and play with a purpose then they will win cause italy are that bad right now
Has Barry Ferguson just landed ?
alva glen, new Clyde boss I assume. I heard it was going to happen. Hope he keeps his Daily Record column which is usually a good read.
I expect a game with the two teams not wanting to give too much away which could result in a very boring 0-0. I think both teams will settle for the draw. On the face of it with a tough Uruguay team left to play for both of these they don’t want to be going in to that game as a labelled ‘must win’.
I agree with Mr F. Back the draw. Have backed the no goalscorer and if Italy win the stake is refunded..
craigyboy, betfair and Ladbrokes shops are two who will return stakes on certain markets if England lose. Only way you can lose out if it’s not 0-0 is if England win and I can’t see that.
I’ve backed the Ladbrokes offer so money refunded if Italy win Mr F.
craigbyboy, I’ll be doing the same. It’s like getting Italy draw no bet for your draw stake. Right, off to walk the dug and will be on later with Colombia-Greece tips.
It’s going to be a tight 1-0 win for
England or Italy, could go either way..!!
Rory, what our man says is still nonsense. Why not point out they have failed to qualify from the group stages 5 times? Because it’s as irrelevant as how many times they’ve won it. He took 4 paragraphs to say it’s a tough one to call. Astounding insight there. I don’t think this is the best Italian team we will ever see so I’m backing Uruguay to top this group with England to take 2nd.
Marshall, ‘I dont think this is the best italian team we will ever see’
Superb insight into the world of Italian football, and in just one sentence.
Fair point, I waffled but I mentioned the main points – England have pace and power and it will be tough to show that in that humidity.
The second point is Italy are not stupid, they have always been a smart side as their football mirrors their own culture – complex and canny, and with the big picture in mind
Oor Man, Italys showing against the mighty Luxembourg and all their recent performances tells me they are not going to be a force in this world cup,they are a very average team and will not beat England tonight,it has draw written all over it,if England can handle the heat and if the very uninspiring Woy Hodgson { hes about as exciting as Roy cropper on his honeymoon in the leaked when he started sword fighting with Hayley in coronation street in the leaked sex tape} was to drop Wooney and play Waheem sterling and Woss Barkley i could see them actually doing well in tournament and topping the group.
Sean that is fine, its your opinion, that is all it is, just like mine. I may be correct or you may be correct, either way we are GUESSING and neither can claim to understand this game fully or add GENIUS to our status if one of us wins. Its a close call.
“They are a VERY average team and will NOT beat England tonight”
I admire your confidence and all I can say is, good fortune to you
Sean, I’ve said it before Italy’s draw with Luxembourg is irrelevant – don’t judge them on that one. Judge them or any other side on competitive results.
I have to say to suggest balo won’t start for Italy is inaccurate Mr f as he is the main striker . Immobile may supplement but no way at expense .
Also have to say it’s really Italy match for taking as they have far greater international experience , world cup experience and better ball retention and midfield play. England will offer a organised spirited performance along lines of Australia but for me Italy will win this match.
I respect the preview but to not mention England friendly results and pick up on Italy draws Is unfair .
The only leveller is the pitch but I will actually write and say ITALY will win this match as I believe people have got carried away with England . If we look at it Italy are vastly expereienced team and that England defence is not so hot . England have only huffed and pufnt in tournament competitive matches for many years now .
This is the least expected from an England squad for many tournaments yet people are scared to back against them .
Backing Italy will be shrewd
I think a penalty in match is a defo player , heck could even be for England that’s worth a small bet
BUT the main tip and recommend is
Italy win balo score headline offer William hill is BET OF DAY for me
golden, I don’t know who will start for Italy – I’m just quoting what I’ve read so don’t take all my team news as red. Oor Man predicts Balotelli ahead of Immobile and he knows more than me about Italian football.
A thing thats caught my eye in the Uruguay game is Diego Godin anytime scorer at 11/1 with Mcbookie
Worth a punt I think
I think Uruguay are great value -1,-1.5 @ 2.15
Repost
Ill say now why i feel England will qualify from the group of Death,the way i see it Italy,Uruguay and England will all approach their games with each other looking to avoid defeat and playing very cagey take no chances football and we could see these games all ending in a draw,we all know how Italy have been playing recently with 6 draws in their last 7 games and Uruguay have hardly been setting the world alight recently,anyone who watched their game with ‘Norn Iron’ will know what i mean added to the fact that their star man Suarez the Scouse has been injured recently and should he be back will surely be a little rusty for a game or 2.Given that these games have a good chance of ending in draws this leaves the performances against Costa Rica as crucial in deciding who goes through,this is where England have the upper hand as they face Costa Rica in thier final game and knowing exactly what they need to win by should it be 2 or maybe 3 goals i can see them achieving it and going through on goal difference should Italy and Uruguay draw their last game,the Italy v Uruguay final game could be crucial in deciding who goes through along with England. Makes sense to me to look at the final games to see who has the advantage. Apologies to any that have backed England to fail in the group stage,i just cant see it thats why i backed them to go through. England will qualify from this group with a probable 5 points with Italy and Uruguay fighting it out in their final game showdown to see who joins them,can very easily see this group going down to goal differance with a 3 way tie on 5 points each….England points total 5 points available @ 7/1 ;)
simplest thing to do here is dont bet on it! theres wall to wall football so plenty of money to be made elsewhere!
haha Jack, probably the safest bet of all for this group. And yes, there are better games to make the cash on. This group is a car crash in many ways and probably a monkey on crack has an equal chance than anyone else to get the 1st 2nd place correct.
Already picked out the draw in the England game and bet for today is Uruguay-Greece draw at HT at just under evens.
Greece have a history of keeping it tight in the major competitions and this was their trait in qualifying. Uruguay may prove too strong later in the game but I would be surprised if they went all out in the first half. In saying that Holland surprised yesterday and just shows what a great game football can be. Excellent World Cup so far.
should be Columbia doh
ha oor man i am a monkey and i do like crack! had a patriotic punt on cahill anytome at 18s. not gonna try picking any meaningful bet but do see there being a winner. good luck to all
small stake double
Greece 0-0 and Uruguay -2
Pays just under 30/1
for ref welbeck anytime is over 6s at mo on betfair. 4s elsewhere. couldnt resist but not taling any sort of resilt/score under over etc
I can’t help but think that Italy could possibly be the worse side out of the other 2 viable group winners in group D and I honestly think that Woy Hodgson will want to go for this match against Italy.
I never back England but can’t shake this feeling that we’re gonna win 2-0. Remember, bet with your head, not your heart!
shmg, anything could happen tonight but I’m of the opinion Italy are fairly decent.
Does Forlan take the pens. for Uruguay??? Cheers.
Ritchie, Forlan is listed as the penalty taker.
Uruguay game..1st.goalscorer Cavani special 6/1 Ladbrokes.Small cover on MrF`s Forlan.
England sturridge 2-0