2008 Euro Qualifier
England to beat Russia Euro 2008 Qualifier.
This is a crucial match for England if they want to qualify for the 2008
Euros. Anything but a win tonight against the Russians will cast doubts
over England's chances with games to come against Estonia (H), Russia (A),
and Croatia (H).
The group situation at the moment is that Croatia who are away to Andorra
today top the group with 20 points from eight matches followed by Russia
on 18, England are level on 17 points with Israel who have played one game
more. So as you can see things could not be closer.
England produced what I felt was their best performance under McLaren on
Saturday when defeating Israel 3-0 at Wembley despite being without the
likes of Beckham, Lampard and Rooney.
The England team have for me come under a lot of criticism lately which I
feel is unfair, they have a good solid squad that though lacking a true
star is a solid well organised team.
Tonight will be a stiff test for England as the Russians under coach Gus
Hiddink have become a well organised side that is hard to break down they
also contain many talented players such as Alexei Berezutskiy (CSKA
Moscow), Vasily Berezutskiy (CSKA Moscow) and Sergey Ignachevish (CSKA
Moscow), Moscow), Andrey Arshavin (Zenit St.Petersburg), Alexander
Kerzhakov (Sevilla, Spain) who will miss tonight's game, and Dimitry
Sychev (Lokomotiv Moscow).
Kerzhakov will be a big miss for Russia as he has scored 5 goals in
qualifying including one at the weekend in the 3-0 win at home to
Macedonia a game where Russia scored twice in the last 6 minutes to give
the score line a hint of respectability.
To highlight England's task tonight it is worth noting that in the 8 games
Russia have played in the qualifiers so far they have won 5 drawn 3 and
lost none scoring 14 goals in that time and conceding only 1 goal to
Israel in the home match last year.
They have played group leaders Croatia twice already drawing 0-0 on both
occasions so they will be a hard team to break down. At best price 3/5 I
am going to go for an England win as I feel the players will have been
encouraged by their performance Saturday and they know the importance of 3
points tonight especially given the fact that of the 3 teams fighting for
the 2 qualifying slots Russia seem to have a better run in with a home
game on Spartak Moscow's artificial pitch to come in the return against
England then 2 away games in Israel and Andorra.
I cannot see a lot of goals in tonight's encounter and so will also be
going for an under 2.5 goals bet again at best price 3/5 with a couple of
bookmakers.
Good Luck,
Silverfox
