England 9-4 for swift work

The puzzle for punters to solve on Saturday night is by how many goals England will beat Andorra in their World Cup curtain-raiser in Barcelona.

But, before reaching for your calculators, rewind to March last year when the teams met in a Euro 2008 qualifier. England were again expected to make short work of Andorra’s mix of insurance brokers, postmen, builders and civil servants but the match was goalless until after half-time and the travelling fans were left jeering rather than cheering.

The Three Lions eventually won 3-0 but those who sold the time of the first goal or backed England to be ahead at half-time and full time (at around 1-10) were left with burnt fingers.

Steve McClaren, the then England manger, has since been replaced by Fabio Capello but the early signs are that England are little better under his leadership. And his selection policy - David Beckham remains a fixture, while Michael Owen has been rejected - is worrying.

Of course, England should still win in a canter tomorrow because Andorra, rated 186th in the world rankings and with just one win (back in 2004) to their name, are simply out of their depth. That is why you can back them at 80-1 with most layers.

Paddy Power make England 2-9 to “win” both halves and go 11-10 that the match produces at least five goals. Both should be a formality but history - and England’s recent form - advises caution.
If there is a bet to be had, then perhaps it is the 9-4 that Stan James offer against the first half producing most goals.

Capello will want his team to hit the deck running and, if they do manage an early strike, then the floodgates could open. And, if they do, it would come as no surprise if England took their foot off the accelerator in the second half, especially with Wednesday’s crucial fixture against Croatia looming.