The Three Lions are currently level on points with Montenegro but have a superior goal difference and will be confident of taking maximum points from their trip to Bulgaria (Bulgaria 6/1, Draw 3/1, England 1/2 Match Betting).

Scott Parker has seemingly safe-guarded his future in the national set-up after leaving Championship side West Ham for Tottenham, while another summer transfer target, Gary Cahill, has to now accept that his immediate chances of European football remain with England as he will be staying at Bolton.

England opened their European qualifying campaign last September with a 4-0 success over Friday’s opposition but there are sure to be those who still feel that Capello’s men can be hit and miss.

The 4-0 scoreline may well have been different in the reverse fixture had Stanislav Angelov not missed a one-on-one chance against Joe Hart on the hour before England went straight down the other end to make it 2-0.

Jermain Defoe (6/1 First Goalscorer) scored a hat-trick at Wembley in that win but has struggled with form and injury since, and has yet to open his Premier League account this term – although Spurs have only played two games.

Andy Carroll has yet to score in the Premier League for Liverpool this season (11/0 Anytime Scorer) while England are without Darren Bent, who has pulled out with an injury.

Wayne Rooney sticks out like a sore thumb in the goalscoring markets after a fantastic start to Manchester United’s title defence with five goals in three games – but that is reflected in the betting as he is an 8/11 anytime scorer and 3/1 First or Last.

It may well be worth taking a chance on the bigger prices, depending on how Capello sets up the side, and Ashley Young is in top form following his move to Old Trafford and can be backed at 7/1 to get on the scoresheet.

Bulgaria still have a chance of making it to Euro 2012 but, lying six points behind the group leaders and losing to both earlier in the campaign, they need some big results in their last three games.

After losing those first two games, they have gone unbeaten under new boss Lothar Matthaus but two have been draws, while they have yet to score at home in the campaign.

Their record against England is poor as well as they are yet to taste victory in nine games, losing five, although they have only lost one of three previous games in Sofia.

Ivelin Popov has scored Bulgaria’s only two goals in qualifying to date in the 1-0 win over Wales and the 1-1 draw in Montenegro and is worthy of consideration at 10/1 to open the scoring for those who spy a shock.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

England

Chelsea announced on Wednesday that Cole would be leaving Stamford Bridge during the summer, but the player says his future in his agent’s hands.

He is looking forward to the World Cup, and says: “That’s all that is in my mind now.”

Cole added: “I’ve worked hard to be here and I’m leaving all the rest of it to my agent… It’s been going on for a while, but that is a story for another day. Right now, I am just happy to be here. And if I play it will be fantastic.”

The midfielder failed to hold down a regular place for Chelsea, England’s double-winning club champions and cup-holders, during an injury-hit season (13/8 Chelsea – Premier League outright 2010-11).

He underwent surgery on a knee last year and after months of recovery work found it difficult to regain a starting position for Chelsea. But he said he never accepted that his international future was bleak.

“No, I never feared my England days were over,” he told reporters. “I am very confident in my ability, but it was tough for the manager to pick me when I wasn’t playing regularly, rightly or wrongly, at club level.

“Yes, for this tournament I knew I might not make it, but not that it (international career) was over. Now, there is a chance I could be playing against America and for me that is fantastic.

“Now I am back to my best and want to show it at this World Cup and play better than I did at the last one.”

Cole said England coach Fabio Capello, in contrast to his predecessors, kept the players on their toes with his training, selection and discipline.

“The great thing with this squad now, which is different to the whole of my England career, is that you don’t know who this manager is going to pick,” he said.

“This is good and, in my experience, from club level, I’ve always found when that is the case, and players are not picked on reputation, but on form, fitness and temperament, these are the things that get a better team ethic and the team gels together.”

He added: “Fabio Capello is the best manager I have worked with for England.

“I put him alongside (Jose) Mourinho as one of the two best managers I have worked with. He has an aura.

“He knows his way round a football pitch, his tactical knowledge goes without saying and his preparation is spot-on. You don’t want to let him down.”

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Arsenal

The Spaniard’s struggle for consistency has been highlighted this season and Wenger has skirted around the issue of whether or not he will start the new season with the 32-year-old former Celta Vigo man in his side.

The Gunners go to Wigan on Sunday (Wigan 11/2, draw 3/1, Arsenal 1/2 ) with little to play for following the midweek defeat to arch-rivals Spurs, with Wenger admitting: “We must forget the title race and try to finish as high as we can.

“It’s unlikely but you never know.”

Regarding Almunia’s future as the club’s number one, the French boss added: “I don’t think it is the best moment to talk about that.  I never said he will be my long-term No 1.

“Almunia is a great keeper and is in competition with (Lukasz) Fabianski. I want to see how we finish so I don’t think it’s the best period to talk about individual players.”

While Arsenal’s season is effectively over, Latics have it all to play for given their perilous position at the wrong end of the table.

And the visitors’ injury problems will give DW Stadium chief Roberto Martinez hope of a result from the game.

But Wenger does not agree with the school of thought claiming his players could already be on the beach after slipping off the pace in the Premier League title race and crashing out of the Champions League to Barcelona.

He added: “Overall this team has gained a lot of credit and done extremely well so it is important that we do not get a negative vibe now.

“Our season will be judged on how well we finish and that is why we play a vital game on Sunday.”

Aside from his goalkeeping quandary, Wenger has also warned captain Cesc Fabregas not to take a backward step in his career amid continued interest from former club Barca.

Wenger argued: “If you are really competitive, you stay in England.

“That is where the competition is and that is where the best players want to be. I have so many calls from Spanish players who want to join us and want to come here.

“We want to keep this team together and improve from season to season. I believe we have made a big step forward considering last season and we want to do that again next season.”

Meanwhile, Wenger has acknowledged his is powerless to prevent William Gallas from walking away from the Emirates for nothing when his deal expires in the summer.

However, he is keen to keep hold of former England international Sol Campbell who made a shock return to the club this season after terminating his deal at Nott County.

“Gallas can sign where he wants. We are trying to re-sign him but he is legally free to sign where he wants so I don’t know where he will go,” said Wenger.

“I will have to sit down with Sol Campbell because if he is on board, if he is focused and motivated, he is an important player here.

“He is not only an important player and a good player but he is a winner.”

View full post on totesport news – betting news and sports betting advice » Football Betting