ENGLAND VS GERMANY WORLD CUP 2010 BETTING PREVIEW

Now that we have the first match of the Group of 8 set to go with Uruguay vs Ghana, attention turns to one of the most storied rivalries in football as England takes on Germany. Tensions usually run high whenever these countries meet up on the pitch and, in the knockout stages of the World Cup, you realize that bragging rights are effectively up for grabs for the next four years. 

England are getting a slight price edge from the UK bookmakers and, on the continent, Germany and the English are listed at even prices. 
Popular UK bookmaker Blue Square has listed England at a 13/8 price to win the match while Germany are listed at 9/5. The draw is listed at 11/5 and that will likely be a popular selections as plenty of English fans think that penalties with the Germans is unavoidable. 
It now looks as though the Germans will be without Cacau and Bastian Shweinsteiger, which is a big loss for a younger team that isn't too heavy on depth. Both of those players had been key during the group stage wins and it also appears as though England will have Ledley King back from injury for this one- whether he starts, or even plays, is another matter. 
Wayne Rooney is listed at a 13/8 to score a goal at any point for England while Lukas Podolski is priced at 9/4. Rooney is 16/1 to score a goal in each half, which Podolski is available at 22/1 to do the same. 
Mesut Ozil's odds to score are listed at 7/2 while Jermain Defoe can be backed at 2/1 odds anytime. Defoe is priced at 22/1 score in both halves. 
England's Steven Gerrard is listed at an 11/4 price to score at any point in the match and he'll be keeping his eyes on Germany's Miroslav Klose, who is available at a slim 2/1 price. England's James Milner is a lengthy 11/2 to score a goal during the match while Frank Lampard is sitting at 3/1. 
Rooney is due a goal in this World Cup, while Lampard has been looking threatening from distance. I think that England could get the edge here but Miroslav Klose is going to be the key variable.