Football Betting: England specials

Such is the confidence behind England under new coach Fabio Capello that Skybet have priced up a market about when the Italian will suffer his first defeat at the helm of the Three Lions.

The layer goes 11/10 that England go down to France in St Denis tonight, but it is 7/2 that Germany inflict the damage on the continent on November 19. The away trip to Croatia on September 10 looks a potential banana skin and is priced at 4/1 while the Czech Republic's chances at Wembley on August 20 is next best at 10/1. You can get 500/1 that lowly Andorra are the first team to snatch the spoils off England in June 2009.

Although Rio Ferdinand takes the armband for this evening's friendly with France, Steven Gerrard, who skippered England against Switzerland for the first outing under Capello, is still the favourite to become England's next permanent skipper for the World Cup qualifiers.

Vcbet make Gerrard their 11/8 favourite with tonight's man 7/4. Former long-term captain John Terry is as big as 9/4, which looks the most interesting price. For those who feel that Michael Owen could remain fit for a few minutes, the goal-scoring hero is 16/1.

Some may see David Beckham as a possibility, he is 33/1, but on the cusp of his 100th cap, Becks may have other things on his mind, such as passing Bobby Moore's record number of caps (108). VCbet go 2/1 that he equals or betters Moore's haul, and 1/3 that he doesn't.

Ladbrokes go 5/1 about that eventuality, and have made their market more exciting by including other milestones in their market. They are 7/4 that Golden Balls beats Billy Wright's record of 105 caps, 2/1 that he surpasses Bobby Charlton's record of 106 and 33/1 to surmount Peter Shilton's milestone of 125 caps!