ENGLAND VS BRAZIL PREVIEW AND BETTING TIPS

This is going to be one of the biggest tests Fabio Capello’s men are going to face in their run-up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. While I would have preferred an actual competitive fixture this weekend, I think there is enough history between these two sides to guarantee an exciting end-to-end type of match. There’s great value on England, listed by BetFred at 23/10. You know the lads will be fired up for this and you’ll also find the draw available at the same price. I don’t think Brazil are going to win, I think England are going to grind this one out and sneak a late victory. It could be an emphatic win or it could be a smash-and-grab raid, but either way, I think we’ll come out of this one with our heads held high. One thing running through all the prices that I see is that the bookies don’t expect many goals. The short-priced correct score options are a 1-1 draw and a 1-0 win to Brazil at 5/1. England 1-0 is 11/2 while England 2-0 is a whopping 11/1. Since it’s a friendly, I think we could actually see a few goals and the 3-2 margins on both teams are quite enticing. Brazil carry a 25/1 price while England are trading at around 40/1. That’s a very solid price on a match I expect to have plenty of attacking runs.Brazil’s Luis Fabiano is the favoured first goalscorer at 11/2 with Hulk and Nilmar both listed at 13/2 alongside Robinho. Kaka is available at 8/1 while Julio Baptista is trading at 14/1. Should he get a run out, he could be dangerous as he knows a bit more about some of this English opposition than his team-mates. I think he’s not a bad shout for an each-way first goalscorer, which is an option at BetFred. England has Wayne Rooney as the favourite first goalscorer at 13/2 with Jermain Defoe trading at 7/1. Peter Crouch is at 8/1 alongside Darren Bent. I’ll be backing Bent as an each-way first goalscorer which is great because BetFred offers a little extra insurance here. If your selection doesn’t start and isn’t on when the first goal is scored you’ll get your stake back. They pay out 1/3 the odds on the first four goalscorers. I fancy Bent to slot home in this match, possibly very late. I’m going to back England for the victory here, with a real statement of intent before the 2010 World Cup. I’m backing England to win 3-2 and 2-1 with Darren Bent as each-way goalscorer. I’m also backing a Bent Wincast at 17/2.