England facing Euro 2008 exit

After returning from Russia without love, England are now staring into the Euro 2008 abyss and the likely prospect of a summer without football is priced at 2/1 by the bookmakers. Things looked very rosy in England's garden as Wayne Rooney volleyed his side towards Euro 2008 qualification in difficult conditions on the plastic surface at the Luzhniki Stadium. However, coach Guus Hiddink introduced Roman Pavlyuchenko as a second-half substitute and his two goals, the first a controversial penalty conceded by Rooney, has left the Three Lions praying for an unexpected roar from Israel against Russia in their Euro 2008 qualifier on November 17. England are still second in Group E, three points behind leaders Croatia, but Russia are just a point behind with a game in hand, the last of which is a certain three points against Andorra. To survive England need either Russia to drop points in Israel, who have nothing to play for as they can't qualify for Euro 2008, or Croatia to lose to the equally unmotivated Macedonia, and then beat Slaven Bilic's side at Wembley on the final day. Simply put, it is out of England's hands now and Steve McClaren might as well apply for the Bolton Wanderers vacancy - he is 33/1 with VCBet to replace Sammy Lee by the way - as his side are about as likely to qualify for Euro 2008 as the Liberal Democrats are to win the next election. Well, actually not quite, Bet365 price England at 2/1 to somehow scrape their way to Austria and Switzerland; ridiculously stingy odds given the circumstances, unless they know of an imminent diplomatic incident that will preclude Russia's involvement in next year's tournament. Optimists are better off backing England to win Euro 2008 at 20/1 with BetFred and Ladbrokes, which can be laid off to great profit should the miracle chain of football results work in their favour. Needless to say, the knives are already out for Steve McLaren with Jose Mourinho (5/1 with PaddyPower & Coral), Martin O'Neill (10/1 general), Luis Felipe Scolari (12/1 Coral) and Arsene Wenger (14/1 PaddyPower) among the favourites to succeed the Englishman, who is 66/1 with Ladbrokes to be sacked by the end of this week and 8/1 to have been replaced by the time Croatia come to Wembley on November 21.