Football - Come on Chile !
Good - it's international footy this friday
England vs Chile.
Long gone are the days of me wearing a plastic red and white bowler hat, sat in a pub supporting 'England' - pure cowarly racist tossers they are, players, media and fans included.
This match had the added bonus of the bookies in Britain offering :
a tasty 3-1 on a Chilean win
a pathetic 5/6 England win
13 / 5 the draw .
I'll have a fiver on Chile.
Quote:
Odds are patriotic World Cup betting
damages your wealth.
It generates football fervour with one billion pounds being wagered on the World Cup betting odds for the Finals' stage of the tournament alone.
In England, bookmakers were the major benefactors when typically suicidal patriotic football punting patterns prevailed in 2010. England were hopeless in the 2010 Finals, ultimately being dumped out by a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Germany.
Yet England had started at just 5/1 to win the tournament with the bookies before drifting to 10/1 prior to the last 16 clash with Germany.
England managed just one victory, a 1-0 defeat of tiny Slovenia. They were notably abysmal against Algeria (draw) before their clown-like performance against the Germans.
History shows that England have been hopelessly overrated by the English media, pundits and supporters alike time and again.
Chile have qualifed for Brazil 2014
have some good players too.
Now a look at the teams-
England in chaos as usual ?
Quote:
Hodgson will more than likely use next Fridays game as a test exercise to get the most out of; one of the very few chances to experiment before choosing his squad for Brazil. Furthermore it can be assumed safely that Roy will want to keep his main stars fresh for the show piece game against Germany 4 days later providing the Chileans a fantastic chance to take the game to England.
Southampton players Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez have been called into the squad and could make their England debuts next Friday, whilst another Saints player, Rickie Lambert, has rejoined the squad and is likely to start.
Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson has also been recalled after being largely impressive for a high flying Liverpool team.
England number 1 Joe Hart will step down for the Chile game, before being recalled for the Germany match, to give Celtics Fraser Forster a chance to stake his own claim for the number 1 jersey.
The game will also provide a rare chance for Michael Carrick to hold a place down within the squad and more chances for youngsters Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend (in the absence on Theo Walcott) to further stake their claims.
The two games will also be a chance to welcome back England’s premium right back Glen Johnson after injury, who will replace Kyle Walker for the match against Germany at least.
Whilst this is likely to an entertaining game, it will be another opportunity for Hodgson to get an understanding of who his best Xi is. England are go into the game as favourites to win, as their form has gradually improved. This type of game always throws up good value, we bet on football at 888sport.com, particularly in goalscorer markets.
One (or potentially both) centre back pairing of Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka could make way for United pair Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.
Roy Hodgson faces a difficult decision ahead of him: Does he play a strong team to ensure a victory and a confidence boost prior to facing the Germans? Or should he discard the result per sé, and focus entirely on giving international experience to his fringe players and help them force a door into the team?
This question is not black and white, and Roy can choose a mix between the two – but if he gets this mix wrong, expect the doomsayers to be out in force, spreading their usual vitriol prior to the big 150 year FA anniversary tie against the Germans.
Chilean Danger Men
Alexis Sanchez: the 24 year old Barcelona forward will be one of the best players on the pitch next Friday night. A player of the highest quality and one of La Liga’s best forwards scoring 7 in 7 so far this season.
In the middle of the pitch you don’t get much better than Arturo Vidal; the Juventus midfield man records an impressive average of 3.7 tackles a game – made even more impressive by making 1.9 key passes and 2.3 shots on average per Serie A game. In 13 starts this year, the box-to-box midfielder has scored 7 times, assisting 3.
Compare that to England captain Steven Gerrard scoring only twice and assisting 2 whilst averaging 2.7 tackles, 1.8 shots, but a better 2.5 key passes (in 10 Premier league starts).If Roy was to play Gerrard, he would definitely have his work cut out to limit and overcome the 26 year old.
On the way to securing qualification -via a 3rd play finish, 4 points behind Argentina – to the World Cup, Chile’s leading goalscorers were the aforementioned Sanchez (4) an Vidal (5) with also on loan Gremio striker Eduardo Vargas (5) also likely to pose a threat.
Other players likely to feature who will be familiar to those who have followed the Premier League will be the speed blessed winger, Mark Gonzalez (previously of Liverpool); the tough tackling defensive midfielder Gary Medel (currently of Cardiff City); and then the creative centre midfielder David Pizarro (formerly on-loan to Manchester City during their 2012 Premier League win).
Picuters of busty Chilian football fans to decorate this thread soon.
Come on Chile !!