Plastic fantastic for England on Euro 2008 Moscow trip?

England enjoyed an uncomplicated 3-0 win over Russia when they met at Wembley last month but their midweek visit to Moscow will be about as comfortable as a camping expedition in Siberia. While the weather in England has been unseasonably mild, snow mshowers are forecast to hit the Luzhniki Stadium on Tuesday morning with rain expected to bucket down on its artificial surface when the two sides clash the following afternoon. Not exactly the most benign conditions for the visitors, who are best advised to avoid any local delicacies and especially Japanese restaurants, in case of any inadvertent polonium-210 breakouts in the Russian capital. Steve McClaren's men know that avoiding defeat is priority No 1 against the hosts, who are five points behind Wednesday's opponents with a game in hand. A draw for Russia would leave them in need of wins against Israel and Andorra and a victory by Croatia over England at Wembley in November while that result might well be the best England can hope for given the circumstances. Russia have already held Croatia and Israel on home, erm, soil and with Ashley Cole out and John Terry almost certainly also injured, the suspect Paul Robinson will be protected by a rearguard that could, God forbid, include Joleon Lescott at left-back. McClaren might even resort to recalling Frank Lampard to a five-man midfield in a misguided move to flood a midfield already struggling to keep its head above water on a slippery surface. England's 3-0 win against Estonia was far from convincing and Russia, well-rested after a weekend off, will prove obdurate opponents on their plastic patch, which suggests Bet365's 9/4 about the draw is the way to go. Scotland will also have their work cut out on their trip to the former Soviet Union. A fifth competitive win on the bounce against Georgia will not be beyond a side who have beaten France and Ukraine in their last two matches but Georgia are comfortable in possession and made Italy work hard for their 2-0 win on Saturday. It took an 89th-minute effort from Craig Beattie to scrape a 2-1 win in Glasgow in March and another narrow win is as much as they can hope for in Tblisi. James McFadden has been last goalscorer in his past three international matches and is well-priced at 7/1 to keep up his record. Verdict: 2pts England to draw against Russia @ 9/4 (Bet365); 2pts Russia v England under 2.5 goals @ 9/13 (Betfair); 2pts Scotland to beat Georgia by one goal @ 12/5 (Boylesports); 1pt James McFadden last goalscorer @ 7/1 (Coral) (Editor's Note: England will struggle on a plastic pitch in Moscow for this Euro 2008 qualifier. Is a draw the best Steve McClaren's men can espect? Follow all the latest football news on Bet365)