A victory on St. Jakob Park in Basel back in September with 3:1, brought the English team another 3 points. Overall the team has now 10, and needs a victory to remain the leader of the group, despite the outcome of the other match between Montenegro and Bulgaria.
England
Since Fabio Capello took over the management of the English team, let’s face it we still haven’t seen any big results. Results worthy for one of the greatest teams, consisting from some of the greatest players, playing in one of the finest leagues (the English Premier League). After the poor performance on World Cup 2010, Capello must qualify the team for Euro 2012. What seemed to be an easy task, is now neck to neck tie at the top, where England has 10 points in 4 games, scoring 8 goals and conceding only 1. Montenegro is right next to them, also with 10 points, but a goal difference of +3, scoring 3 goals and conceding 0. Anything but a victory on Wembley might cost the team the top spot, depending on the outcome of the other match. Since the 0:0 on Wembley against Montenegro, the English team recorded two friendly games, a loss to France on Wembley with 1:2 and a draw again on Wembley against Ghana. Two away victories however, a friendly against Denmark, and a qualificiation against Wales, won with 2:0
Switzerland
Switzerland can be happy with its achievements since Ottmar Hitzfeld took over the team in 2008. Qualified the team for World Cup 2010, and despite their early elimination, Switzerland was the only team to beat Spain in the tournament, hence the only team to win over the World Cup winner. A loss to Chile and a draw against Honduras sent them home, but with heads high up. In the group stage of Euro 2012, Switzerland recorded a victory over Wales at home with 4:1, a draw against Bulgaria in Sofia, and two losses to England and Montenegro. The team has some minimal chances of taking the second spot, but only on theory which includes a victory here on Wembley.
Prediction
While Switzerland might have some chances to qualify on paper, an away victory here on Wembley sounds unrealistic. It’s very unlikely that England or Montenegro will lose 3 of the remaining 4 fixtures, especially when both team are unbeaten for now. If nothing else, Switzerland has the ability to spoil the fun for England with a draw on Wembley, something they have achieved here once in the past two meetings. Overall record W0 D1 L1, losing a friendly match in 2008 with 2:1, drawing a qualification for Euro Cup match, 1:1 way way back in 1971.
The draw here sure is the value bet as England plays much better away from home, and far worse on Wembley. The bet is reasonably priced @ 4.50 by bet365.
However I believe that the English team cannot afford mistakes here and will be highly motivated to win the match with at least two goals of a difference. My prediction, England -1.5.
Paddy Power welcomes you to include this match in your next accumulator of 4 or more games. If all of the matches are winning at Half-Time, but not at Full-Time, your stake will be refunded.
Recommended Bet
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England -1.5 @ 2.10 | Visit Bet365 Now |
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