ENGLAND VS CROATIA LAST MINUTE BETTING TIPS

We're only a few hours away from the kick-off in the match that could seal England's qualification for the 2010 World Cup. It will be a great opportunity to fully dispel the unpleasantness of the McLaren era by defeating the side that sent us crashing out of qualifying for Euro 2008. It truly was a wake-up call to the English footballing bureaucracy and we can all reflect on Fabio Capello's performance as national manager and admit it is nothing short of the solidity that we had been lacking since the honeymoon period of the Eriksson years. Currently, Blue Square has listed England as the 4/7 favourites to win the match while Slaven Bilic's men are listed at a very long 11/2. Clearly, the bookmakers believe that the Wembley-factor will be in full effect and we can expect a rollicking atmosphere at the ground this evening. The draw is available at 13/5. England look like strong favourites. The lowest prices you'll find on correct scores are the 1-0 England selection at 11/2 and England 2-0 or a 1-1 draw at 6/1. England winning by a 2-1 margin is a likely outcome and its priced at 15/2. England 3-1 would be an emphatic scoreline and that can be backed at 14/1. Here's some interesting special bets that can serve as some food for thought- England are 15/8 to score in both halves and 3/1 to win both halves. England are 11/2 to score first and not win, while they carry an 8/1 price to come from behind and win. They are odds-on to keep a clean sheet at 10/11 and they are a slim 11/8 to win to nil. They are 4/1 to score a penalty and 12/1 to miss one. Wayne Rooney is 11/8 to score and a whopping 22/1 to score in both halves. I think that's a really exciting bet and since this is a proper international, I think he could get a full 90 minutes barring cards or injury. He is 50/1 to score a hat-trick and 14/1 to score a header. He carries a 13/2 price to score from outside the box and 9/1 to hit the woodwork. Should Rooney win another penalty, you'll get paid out at 20/1. Frank Lampard is 2/1 to score while Jermain Defoe carries an 11/8 price. Steven Gerrard is 2/1 to score anytime while he is 80/1 to score a hat trick. Defoe and Rooney are both favoured to score first at 5/1 with Cole, Heskey and Crouch all available at 6/1. I think England will be fired up for this one and, while I think they fare fully capable of losing here, they will likely take the match if they don't slip up and concede early. If they can find space behind the defenders and give Rooney lots of passing options, I think they should dispose of Slaven Bilic's men and secure their ticket to South Africa- undefeated.PREDICTIONEngland 3-1 @ 14/1Scorecast: Wayne Rooney/3-1 @ 55/1Score/Win Double: Wayne Rooney to score & England to win @ 5/2