Football Betting: Austria v England

After the defeat to Russia last time out, England's friendly in Vienna on Friday will most likely be their last trip to Austria for a few years but at 4/6 (Paddy Power) the Three Lions can nonetheless be expected to come away from this meaningless match with a win under their belts. With their Euro 2008 championship fate firmly out of their hands England's match against Austria has about as much purpose as Scott Carson's belated inclusion in the line-up on Friday night. Steve McClaren's men are on a no-win mission to salvage some pride in the Austrian capital and Carson's expected first start in goal has come too late for England to have any control over their own fate. In fact, it will be interesting to see which player will be the first to publicly lay into McClaren, if he is shown the door by the FA - a market which Paddy Power have already priced up for the football bettor, with Frank Lampard an inviting 12/1. The thoughtful Irish bookmakers are also offering odds about which day the axe will actually fall on the head of the beleaguered England boss, who is currently booked on a flight with Brian Barwick on 23 November to attend the World Cup draw. England's fate will be known after their match against Croatia on 21 November and so little surprise then to find a 22 November parting of the ways priced at 10/3. The next day can be backed at 11/2 and a typically FA-bungling 24-25th November adieu is available at 11s. Anyway, though most of you will probably find much more interesting things to do than watch Austria v England of a Friday night, like turn over to the hugely disappointing I'm 'Not' A Celebrity Please 'Don't' Get Me Out Of Here or, erm, doing the ironing, it is probable that the visitors will get a pointless win. England haven't won one in their last four friendlies, but even without Wayne Rooney and John Terry they should overcome an ordinary Austria outfit. David Beckham and Ashley Cole should be back and, though not match-fit, have enough class to help England return to winning ways. It is also worth bearing in mind that there have been two or three goals scored in each of England's last eight matches so back 2-3 goals @ 10/11 with Paddy Power. Verdict: 2pts England to bt Austria @ 4/6 (Paddy Power); 3pts exactly 2 or 3 goals @ 10/11 (Paddy Power).