11th Jun 2012 | Euro 2012
1-0 to the England?
Recent and more distant history would suggest the Three Lions have a prototype for success.
If England are going to pull off a major shock in Donetsk and end France’s long unbeaten run then it’s a very reasonable assumption that it will be by a 1-0 scoreline - currently available at a best price of 7/1 with StanJames.
Much has changed in the last few months with Fabio Capello quitting and Roy Hodgson unexpectedly stepping into the breach only weeks ago. But one thing that has survived the transition is England’s capacity to grind out results by the odd goal. Four of their last five fixtures have been victories by a 1-0 scoreline.
Capello oversaw triumphs over luminaries Spain, and Sweden at Wembley in November. Then, after a setback against Netherlands in February, Hodgson began his tenure with successes against Norway and Belgium.
Last time England and France met competitively, in Euro 2004, Sven’s men led by a solitary strike until the final minute when it all went wrong. The Three Lions haven’t held out against Les Bleus since Alan Shearer scored the only goal in 1997.
It’s been 10 years since England beat any major footballing nation at a tournament. Victory against Argentina in the 2002 World Cup came by, you guessed it, a 1-0 scoreline.
If they are going to do it, surely this will be the manner yet again.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 10:56 11th Jun, 2012 but subject to change
