Monthly Archives: November 2010

Elite Leagues predictions…

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For those looking to avoid the unpredictable nature of the Premier League and Championship then why not take a trip across the English Channel to the homes of our continental cousins. We pick out the best bets from this weekend’s Spanish, Italian and German action from Totesport’s Elite League match betting.

Mainz 05 started the season like a house of fire with eight wins from their first nine Bundesliga fixtures. Those results were good enough to put the newly promoted side from Rhineland top of the Bundesliga before a recent downturn in fortunes. Mainz travel to struggling Borussia Monchengladbach and at 8/5 look a good bet to get their season back on track. Borussia haven’t won at home since April and despite last week’s 4-0 win over Cologne look right for the picking.

The big game of the weekend in Germany is the clash between Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich at the BayArena on Saturday evening. Leverkusen are 17/10 to win and that looks like a good price when you take into consideration Bayern’s away form this season. Louis van Gaal’s side have won just once on their travels this season and while recent results have improved Bayer have been flying of late, winning six of their last eights league matches.

Heading south now and into Italy where Inter Milan need a win to close a six point gap on rivals AC Milan, who currently sit atop Serie A. Rafael Benitez’s men have struggled domestically since their defeat to Tottenham, losing last weekend’s Milan derby 1-0. Inter will be desperate to bounce back against Chievo on Sunday and while the trip to the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi will be tough the Nerazzuri have what it takes to claim three points. The best bet could be draw half-time and Inter full-time at 7/2 with Chievo having been narrowly beaten in their two home defeats this season.

In Spain it looks like a predictable two horse race for the La Liga title between Real Madrid and Barcelona but don’t let that put you off getting involved in the betting. While the two super powers of Spanish football look like picking up another three points there is still some value to be had. Barcelona have been excellent away from home this season and Almeria should present no problems for Pep Guardiola’s men. With that in mind Barcelona to start with a minus one handicap and win at 4/6 doesn’t look like a bad option. Lionel Messi to score two or more at 9/4 could also be worth a punt with the Argentinean having already scored 10 goals, including last week’s brace against Villarreal.

Looking a bit further down the league and Atletico Madrid look as though they could be about to enter a good run of form after last week’s 3-0 win over Osasuna. Atletico travel to Real Socided this week looking to turn around a run of three straight defeats on the road. However, that run of loses came at the hands of Real Madrid, Villarreal and Sevilla, all of who have been in great runs of form recently. They travel north with Sergio Arguero and Diego Forlan both back to full fitness and looking sharp. Real Sociedad have won their last three at home but at 6/4 Atletico can’t be overlooked to end Sociedad’s recent run of wins.

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Cardiff look to England inspiration

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Championship leaders Cardiff City will look to the England debutant Jay Bothroyd to inspire them as they come up against poor travellers Nottingham Forest (10/3 to win) on Saturday.

Forest sit in mid-table and have once on their travels this term but are unbeaten in their last three matches and will have former Cardiff players Robert Earnshaw and Chris Gunter among their ranks when they return to the Welsh capital.

Billy Davies’ side have tended to concede more goals than they score on the road this season, and with Cardiff boasting firepower such as Bothroyd, Craig Bellamy and Michael Chopra, the visitors are likely to create a host of chances and are 4/5 to take all three points and retain their spot at the top of the table.

QPR will hope to put some real pressure on the leaders, and take top-spot if the Bluebirds slip-up, when they face Championship bottom club Preston (11/2 to win, draw 16/5 match betting) at Loftus Road.

Darren Ferguson has bolstered Preston’s ranks of Manchester United players with the loan signing of Ritchie De Laet this week but they are without a win in four and you would expect QPR, who are unbeaten at home and 4/9 to get the win, to have too much strength for them on Saturday.

Brendan Rodgers will hope his Swansea side can keep in touch with the top two as they face play-off chasing Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium. The Swans have looked strong in recent weeks and are 13/8 to land the spoils on their travels, but Doncaster sit only one spot outside the play-off places and are unbeaten in their last three.

The winner of the Norwich and Leeds United clash will gain some advantage on their rivals in the chase for a play-off position, while fourth-placed Derby are favourites at 4/6 to take all three points at home to a struggling Scunthorpe side who have lost their last four games in a row.

Middlesbrough suffered a setback with their loss to Swansea last time out, but will hope the Tony Mowbray revolution can see them climb further clear of the bottom three against a Millwall side who they can draw level with if they were to take the three points.

Boro have already lost three games at the Riverside, and Millwall are without a win in six so are lacking confidence, so the fans are likely to get anxious if the home side do not look to put away their London visitors. The home side are 10/11 to win compared to Millwall at 11/4 in the match betting.

Sheffield United (Evens for the win) and Crystal Palace are both sitting lower in the table than their fans probably expected before the season started. Their respective managers will pray for another good result as their teams have improved in recent weeks and are looking to climb the table.

Crystal Palace climbed off bottom spot with last week’s win and the return of Darren Ambrose, who has scored 4 in 6, is vital to their aspirations for the season.

Finally, Bristol City face a tough task to climb out of the bottom three as they take on in-form Leicester City that have looked rejuvenated under Sven-Goran Eriksson. The Foxes are on a four-game unbeaten streak, with three clean sheets in the last four, and are 11/8 to win at Ashton Gate.

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McLeish joy in battle of Blues

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Birmingham may be languishing in the bottom three, but they are always a tough nut to crack at St Andrew’s and Chelsea’s poor form will raise optimism amongst the home fans (Birmingham 9/2, Draw 11/4, Chelsea 4/7 – totesport.com Match Betting).

Blues have never beaten Chelsea in 12 Premier League meetings and will never have a better chance!

Tottenham are a big price (4/1) to win the north London derby at the Emirates and Harry Redknapp’s men will fancy their chances of turning over their rivals. Arsenal have already lost twice at home this term and look shaky at the back.

Bolton continue to improve and Kevin Davies (15/8 to score anytime) will be out to prove a point when Newcastle visit the Reebok this weekend. Davies should have been in the England squad ahead of Andy Carroll and the Trotters frontman will be a man on a mission on Saturday.

If goals are what you are after, then look no further than Bloomfield Road this weekend (4/6 both teams to score). There have been 45 goals in Blackpool’s 13 matches to date, whilst visitors Wolves have not kept a clean sheet yet this season.

The Championship is unpredictable to say the least, but Hull (7/5) could pile more frustration onto Ipswich boss Roy Keane this weekend. The Tractorboys have lost their last two games, to Barnsley and Derby, while the Tigers’ form appears to be improving.

High-flyers Swansea may have their wings clipped this weekend, when they make the long journey up to Yorkshire (Doncaster 6/4, Draw 23/10, Swansea 13/8 – Match Betting). Doncaster have an impressive home record and will prove a tough test for the goal shy Swans.

Sheffield Wednesday’s off-the field problems could be compounded by on-the-pitch League One defeat on Saturday. With all the financial issues hanging over the Owls, MK Dons (5/4) – unbeaten at home this season – will be eyeing up three points.

Manchester City’s title hopes could be crushed by their former boss this Sunday. Mark Hughes’ Fulham (19/10) entertain City at Craven Cottage and the home side can exploit a lack of harmony in the Blues’ ranks.

Andy Murray starts his ATP World Tour Finals campaign on Sunday and the British number one looks doomed to defeat in his first match. The Scot faces in-form Robin Soderling (Evs – match prices), who goes into the tournament off the back of success first Masters title in Paris earlier this month.

South Africa (4/6) will surely prove too strong for Pakistan (9/2) in the second Test in Abu Dhabi, which gets underway on Saturday. The Proteas looked the stronger side in the drawn first Test, but Graeme Smith’s men will prove their quality in the final five-day encounter.

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Five possible weekend shocks…

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It has been an unpredictable Premier League season to date and this weekend could throw up some more shocks with Spurs having every chance of taking the spoils from the north London derby (Tottenham 4/1 to beat Arsenal).

Arsenal have been impressive of late and have moved to within two points of Chelsea at the top of the table but they have already lost twice at the Emirates Stadium, and Spurs showed last time out that they are capable of taking sides apart when on form.

Form will count for little on Saturday lunchtime but with the man of the moment, Gareth Bale, in the ranks, then anything is possible for Harry’s men.

Birmingham are currently in the relegation zone but have lost just once at home all season while Chelsea have already lost twice on their travels.

This fixture would normally be put down as an away banker but the Blues of Stamford Bridge have hit a sticky patch with two defeats in their last three top-flight games.

With John Terry out of the running they are not the same side and Birmingham’s work ethic has never been in question. A draw would be a superb result for Alex McLeish’s men but do not rule out all three points staying in the West Midlands this weekend (Birmingham 9/2 to beat Chelsea).

It appeared as though Liverpool had turned the corner but the resurgence has come to a shuddering halt after defeat to Stoke last time out and now Steven Gerrard has been ruled out for four weeks.

They face a West Ham side who have won only once this season and have picked up just three points away from home to date.

While it is unlikely that Avram Grant’s men will pick up all three points from the trip to Anfield, a draw would be a shock result given the season the Hammers have had and we predict honours will be even on Merseyside (3/1 the draw).

Fulham are one of the teams at the wrong end of a tight Premier League table but are a much tougher nut to crack at Craven Cottage with just one defeat this term.

They host a Manchester City side who have won just one of their past five top-flight games and are seemingly at war with each other in the dressing room.

With the talent on show for both sides City should expect to win this one but Fulham boss Mark Hughes will want to get one over on the club that sacked him and will have his players pumped up for Sunday’s encounter by the Thames.

The Eastlands outfit are there for the taking and Fulham have it in them to shock their cash-rich Premier League rivals (Fulham 19/10 to beat City).

It is difficult to tip against the Old Firm in Scotland but Kilmarnock must have a great chance of upsetting Rangers at Rugby Park (Killie 7/1 to beat Rangers).

The Gers’ 3-0 home reverse to Hibs sent shockwaves through Scottish football while they were also held recently by Inverness at Ibrox.

Killie have enjoyed an up-and-down season to date but have taken seven points from a possible nine in their last three games and may cause a further shock for Walter Smith’s side this weekend.

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Five fantasy league picks…

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Manchester United may not have started the season in particularly great fashion but will be thankful to be back on home territory, remain unbeaten and welcome a side they have dominated in the past when they entertain Wigan in the Premier League on Saturday (1/5 Man United 5/1 draw 11/1 Wigan – match betting).

United beat Latics 5-0 both home and away last term and have scored 35 goals in total in the 11 games played, all wins for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, while conceding only four.

Therefore it may well pay to load your Fantasy League team with United players and Nemanja Vidic certainly looks a valuable inclusion.

Wigan are the worst scorers in the top flight, having only just crept in to double figures for the season, while the Red Devils have only conceded five at home, winning five and drawing one at Old Trafford this term.

With the obvious potential of clean sheet and defensive points for the Serbia star, Vidic (5/1 to score anytime) is easily the most potent of the United backline, scoring three goals to date but two of those have come in the last four games.

Only games involving Tottenham have enjoyed more goals than those of Blackpool over the last six games and Charlie Adam (8/1 in the Enhanced First Goalscorer betting) can again pull the strings against struggling Wolves, who have picked up just one point on their travels this season.

After a good run of form in the league, winning three including a 2-0 victory over Chelsea and drawing one, Liverpool were brought crashing back to earth by Stoke last weekend.

However, Fernando Torres (11/4 in the Enhanced First Goalscorer market) and his team-mates are unlikely to find themselves up against such physically robust tactics and the Spanish World Cup winner can rediscover his goal-scoring touch against basement side West Ham, who have mustered just four goals in six winless away games this term and have not won at Anfield since 1963.

West Brom appear to have hit a downward spiral after early-season promise, and have picked up just one point in the last four games, coming against bottom side West Ham.

Stoke City (12/5 to win, 11/5 the draw – match betting) have bounced back from their own slump and fully deserved a 2-0 win over Liverpool last weekend to make it two on the bounce and with Ryan Shawcross back in the side, the Potters have added potence in set-piece situations in a game that doesn’t reek of goals.

Asamoah Gyan (11/2 Enhanced First Goalscorer) has hit a rich vein of form for Sunderland and can make the difference again when the Black Cats take on Everton on Monday night.

The Ghana international has bagged four goals in his last three games, including in a surprise 3-0 win at Chelsa, and Steve Bruce’s men can continue their unbeaten home form against poor travellers Everton, who have won just once and scored five away from Goodison.

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Big opportunity looms for Carroll

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Fabio Capello seems destined to name a very young England side for the game against France at Wembley, with the likes of Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson and Keiran Gibbs all starting (see Totesport match betting).

The Italian manager has nailed his intentions to the wall already by confirming the three young players will all be amongst his starting XI at Wembley on Wednesday night – and they are 11/10 to be part of a winning England team.

Capello has previously looked to bring through the next generation of England stars during qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. That was heralded by many as a new era for England, but this optimism soon waned as the likes of Jamie Carragher came back from international retirement and then it emerged the boss had attempted to persuade 35-year-old Paul Scholes to come back into the England frame.

Many England fans will be delighted to hear the likes of Carroll, Henderson and Gibbs will all the given an opportunity to impress – and many will hope they can make the same kind of impact Adam Johnson has made during the early games of his international career. He has scored two goals for England already and is 11/4 to add to this on Wednesday.

England will be fielding a young side, but fans are going to have to remember this is a rather pointless friendly against an under-par France side (who are 13/5 to win, with 9/4 for the draw) – and what percentage of the new faces in his squad will be involved when England play their next Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales in March? It is a definite the more traditional faces will be back for then.

That is especially true among the striking options, as come March 2011 Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe are not going to be replaced by the likes of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Jay Bothroyd yet again.

Newcastle striker Carroll seems the best bet for a long-term striking option to come from this friendly experiment. It is 18 years ago that a young striker from Gosforth made his England debut against France at Wembley. On that day, Alan Shearer started an illustrious international career with a debut goal that saw him become a hero for all lads growing up around Newcastle.

Gateshead-born Carroll has followed in the footsteps of his hero by graduating into the famous Newcastle number nine shirt and will now be looking to copy Shearer’s introduction into the England side, and the 21-year-old is 5/1 to open the scoring for Capello’s side on Wednesday night.

Despite his high-profile off-the-field problems Carroll has impressed many with his powerful performances in the Premier League, and at a time when England are not too blessed with striking options – something exemplified by the fact Capello has turned to the likes of 32-year-old Kevin Davies and Championship forward Bothroyd (who is 15/8 to score anytime against France) in recent months – this really could be a big chance for the lad.

A great performance would catapult him up the ranks of England forwards for the coming years, and as the first England striker to have a ponytail in history then he could spark a new craze among the kids around Newcastle. Better that than the Fabricio Coloccini permed-mullett though.

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Dream on for FA Cup minnows

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Football Conference North minnows Vauxhall Motors can make their name in this year’s FA Cup competition by completing a shock success against League One Hartlepool United (7/2 Home Win 90 Minutes) on Tuesday.

The Motormen survived a barrage of pressure at Victoria Park to earn a goalless draw in their first round encounter and will now look to use home advantage to see off Mick Wadsworth’s men at Rivacre Park.

Pools arrive on the back of an impressive 3-1 home win against League One leaders Brighton on Saturday but Vauxhall Motors could sneak through after extra time (5/2 the draw 90 Minutes).

Staying with Brighton they face a tricky test at Conference South outfit Woking in their replay following a goalless draw at the Withdean Stadium on November 6.

Both sides had their chances in the first game, but Seagulls boss Gus Poyet will demand the right response to their defeat at Hartlepool and they should come through the tie with a win (Brighton 8/13 90 Minutes).

In another replay which sees a non-league side aim to dispose of a bigger boy from the Football League you get the feeling Conference South strugglers Dartford missed their opportunity to claim the scalp of League Two high-fliers Port Vale when John McCombe’s late effort cancelled out Darts skipper Elliott Bradbrook’s opener.

Darts boss Tommy Burman admitted it was the best his side had played all season against Vale, who will use their home advantage to progress to round two with ease (7/1 Port Vale 3-0 Correct Score).

The Galpharm Stadium sees fifth-placed League One outfit Huddersfield look to bounce back from Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Oldham by seeing off Conference Premier side Cambridge United after being held to a 0-0 draw in the initial tie.

Lee Clark’s Terriers were guilty of spurning several chances in that game and it is hard to believe they will let the U’s off the hook for a second time on Tuesday evening (Huddesfield 2/7 to win in 90 Minutes).

Conference Premier side Fleetwood Town were denied a place in the second round for the second time in their history when Walsall’s veteran goalkeeper Jimmy Walker produced a magnificent performance to keep the 10-man Saddlers in the initial tie after Ryan McGivern was sent off.

Fleetwood’s Steve McNulty also missed a penalty in that game which ended 1-1.

And, while the feeling is that Fleetwood missed their opportunity, there is a good chance they could pose a real threat in the replay at the Banks’ Stadium (3/1 Fleetwood to win 90 Minutes), while there should be goals in the encounter (3/4 Yes Both Teams To Score).

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Ten points from the weekend

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Bet on the Premier LeagueIt has been a busy weekend of football. Here is what we have learned in the last two days.

1) Chelsea are by no means assured of the Premier League title after losing at home for the first time this season to Sunderland. Many thought they would be out of sight by Christmas, with those below failing to mount a serious challenge, but there are still at least four title contenders in mid-November (Chelsea 8/11 to win Premier League).

2) Arsenal are one of them and proved that, despite having a young side, they are capable of sustaining a challenge with their fourth away win of the campaign at Everton. Of the chasing pack, they look the most likely to upset the Chelsea bandwagon as they still have Robin van Persie to come back into the side.

3) Roberto Mancini still has not grasped the fact that attacking teams win Premier League titles and bore draws and defensive football just drive away the fans and lose highly-paid managers their jobs (Man City 2/5 to finish in top four).

4) Liverpool have turned the corner only to find a brick wall in front of them. The mini-revival is over and the bottom three is not too far away again after a 2-0 defeat at Stoke. The club may now be stable off the pitch but look anything but on the playing surface.

5) There is only so long you can say that a team’s position in the table is false and they will turn things around if they keep going. Wolves fans must be sick of hearing those words after yet another defeat – this time at home to Bolton – saw them remain second bottom, off rock bottom only on goal difference (Wolves 8/11 to be relegated).

6) Ian Holloway might fancy putting out his second XI once again after the so-called Blackpool first team failed to hit the back of the net against West Ham after the ‘reserves’ hit two against Aston Villa in midweek in their narrow 3-2 defeat. It remains to be seen whether the club will be fined and the boss will carry out his threat to quit.

7) Gareth Bale has a head as good as his left foot after he got the ball rolling with a superb header in Tottenham’s 4-2 victory over Blackburn Rovers.

8 ) Fabio Capello is prepared to give wayward players a chance as Andy Carroll was called into the England squad for Wednesday’s friendly with France. He has the talent to make it at international level and Capello believes the young Geordie will toe the line (Carroll 20/1 to be Premier League top scorer).

9) West Ham could be in for a long season after Saturday’s 0-0 draw with relegation-tipped Blackpool and, if the inspirational Scott Parker ever gets injured, Hammers fans might want to check out where the likes of Scunthorpe, Barnsley and Hull are when they plan next season’s away trips.

10) Playing outside the top flight and outside England is no barrier to an England call up as Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd was named in the England squad to face France. The much-travelled forward has scored 15 goals already this term as Cardiff replaced QPR at the top of the Championship on Saturday. He could form an unlikely partnership with Carroll against the 1998 World Cup winners at Wembley (England 11/10 to beat France).

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Crouch can strike early blow

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Fabio Capello and Raymond Domenech both endured miserable 2010 World Cup campaigns, with England and France respectively, but the similarity ends there because only the Italian is still in his job (Capello 1/20 to guide England to Euro 2012).

That the unpopular Domenech was actually still in charge of Les Bleus in South Africa baffled many onlookers given the fact France – the 1998 world champions – were forced to qualify via the play-offs – who could forget the Thierry Henry handball against the plucky Irish in Paris?

However, the former Lyon chief announced before the World Cup that he would be stepping down – he surely would have been sacked anyway post-tournament – which made him a lame-horse boss unable to work closely with his players.

Laurent Blanc was the choice to replace Domenech and it is the decorated former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Manchester United defender who will lead France into battle against Capello’s England at Wembley on Wednesday night.

Blanc’s status – he won 97 caps for his country over an 11-year spell – meant he was always going to be given time to work his magic and France top their Euro 2012 qualifying group having taken nine points from their four games so far.

England are also ticking over nicely in second place in Group G, three points behind surprise leaders Montenegro who have played a game more than the Three Lions.

The forthcoming midweek friendly in London pits international managers against each other who are at very different stages in their respective career because Blanc is 44, while Capello, 64, will retire when his deal expires in 2012.

The England squad was hit by three withdrawals at the weekend in the shape of John Terry, Ashley Cole and Gabriel Agbonlahor – Gary Cahill, Stephen Warnock and Carlton Cole have all now been called up – to add to high-profile absentees including Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe and Frank Lampard.

Up front that means Peter Crouch with 41 international caps is the elder statesman and almost certain to start as he bids to add to his tally of 21 England goals.

With England the home side they will be looking to start on the front foot and 6/1 for Spurs man Crouch to get the better of a defence that could include Arsenal duo Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna.

Should Crouch need any further incentive then the chance to strike an early psychological blow ahead of the north London derby against the Gunners at the Emirates would not go unnoticed by his club boss Harry Redknapp.

The beanpole striker could be partnered with Newcastle sensation Andy Carroll – fitness permitting for the youngster – and Crouch would surely thrive alongside another big forward.

As depleted as England’s option are in attack, France’s striking options don’t look a whole lot better as, 31-cap Karim Benzeman aside, Blanc’s other three hitmen – Kevin Gameiro, Guillaume Hoarau and Loic Remy – ‘boast’ just nine caps and one goal between them. For the record Remy – 3/1 to score anytime – has the goal.

Like Crouch, Benzema is sure to start at Wembley and while he is just into double figures in international goals, carrying the burden of his country at the age of 22 is a big ask for a player yet to convince since joining Real Madrid.

In the absence of Franck Ribery, much will rest on the shoulders of Chelsea star Florent Malouda who jointly leads the Premier League goalscoring charts (Malouda 18/1 to get his nose in front by the end of the season).

Malouda is likely to relish the chance to run at a defence lacking club-mates Cole and Terry and 25/1 for the 30-year-old to score two or more goals looks tempting despite the fact he only has five strikes to his name in 61 games.

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England evens after odd Capello call-ups

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England head coach Fabio Capello has left fans scratching their heads after calling up Chris Smalling and Jay Bothroyd and leaving Gary Cahill out of the squad for this Wednesday’s friendly against France (England evens to win).

Capello brought in four new faces but also discarded in-form Bolton striker Kevin Davies – seemingly consigned to the international scrapheap as a 32-year-old ‘one-cap wonder’.

The decision to omit Davies may be understandable, given that the Wembley clash is a chance to assess his options for the future and build towards the Euro 2012 finals in Poland and the Ukraine.

But anybody watching the form of Cahill recently, and Capello was at Molineux to see another accomplished performance from the ex-Aston Villa defender on Saturday, will know that he is worthy of his place.

Smalling, although playing well himself when given his chance by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, has not started a single Premier League game this season – rendering his selection at best puzzling.

Micah Richards has also been brought out of the international wilderness in the week that he went public and moaned about his lack of opportunities under Capello.

But the Manchester City man was dropped by his club manager Roberto Mancini after playing in back-to-back defeats to Wolves and Lech Poznan, losing his place to Jerome Boateng.

Is the England coach now offering spots in the squad to players who, because of the competition for places at their clubs, cannot get regular football and simply need a game ?

West Ham striker Carlton Cole has been called into the squad as cover for Andy Carroll and Gabriel Agbonlahor who suffered injuries playing for their clubs on Saturday.

Cole has seven caps and no goals as yet for his country, but has shown glimpses in the past of being able to finally banish the prospect of Emile Heskey ever pulling on a jersey with the Three Lions on its chest again.

However, he is playing poorly and has so far managed one goal in sixteen appearances for the Hammers this season – statistics that would make even Heskey wince.

Cardiff striker Bothroyd becomes the first player in the Bluebirds’ 111-year history to be called up by England – and the latest from outside the Premier League – after going on a remarkable scoring run.

After bagging in his last seven matches, Bothroyd now has 15 goals to his name and surely must rank as the most in-form frontman of the pack (Peter Crouch not having scored so far in the Premier League), assuming that Carroll is not fit enough to play, but will he start ?

Only Capello knows, but with his muddied thinking, you tend to think not.

Bothroyd is 13/2 in First Goalscorer betting, Carroll 5/1, Agbonlahor 13/2 and Crouch 6/1.

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