England left without a prayer?

England go into their double-header with Israel and Russia with injury problems seriously threatening to derail their Uefa Euro 2008 qualifying campaign and don't be surprised if Steve McLaren's train hits the buffers at Wembley on Saturday. Although many observers have pointed out that the game against Russia the following Wednesday will be the hardest of the two challenges that is by no means a guarantee of success against Dror Kashtan's side three days beforehand at Wembley, especially as McLaren's men are dropping like flies. First Wayne Rooney and David Beckham went lame, then Frank Lampard pulled out with a thigh problem and now Owen Hargreaves is the latest in a litany of England midfielders to fall foul of injury. Not that it was ever in doubt anyway McLaren has no choice but to play Steven Gerrard in the middle despite a gammy toe. Even a full-strength England side would have a hard time beating the Israelis, as was the case in March when the two sides fought out a goalless draw in Tel Aviv. Israel may not have qualified for a major tournament since the 1970 World Cup but Kashtan's side have become very difficult to beat. Only Croatia have managed to beat them and even then that took an inspired Eduardo da Silva to help the Group E leaders edge a thrilling 4-3 win. Israel are worthy co-leaders, having drawn with England and Russia and won all their remaining matches save for the Croatia loss. They will travel to Wembley confident in putting men behind the ball and inviting England to break them down - something of which they are already incapable of even without their current injury concerns. Much depends on Gerrard, who will need to turn in a performance on a par with Beckham's against Greece in 2002, if England are to stand much chance of securing three points, but Israel will be well aware of the threat and don't be surprised if you see Yossi Benayoun trying to improve his first-team opportunities at Liverpool by inadvertently treading on his team-mate's sore pinky. National bias always tends to make England overpriced by the bookies and so cast aside the guilt and cash in on a frustrating Wembley stalemate. Verdict: 2pts England v Israel to draw @ 18/5 (Sportingbet); 0.5 pts Correct score 0-0 @ 12/1 (general); 1pt HT/FT Draw/Draw @ 7/2 (general) (Editor's Note: If England perform miserably against Israel, qualification may be beyond them. Follow the latest England betting on Sportingbet!)