Originally Posted by Brad Cantona

Well from a betting perspective, I have to flag up the Israel vs Russia game this weekend. I think English pessimism must have affected the odds, Russia are a shockingly short 1.50 (Ladbrokes) to win the game. No way in hell are they that heavy the favourites. They have the draw at 3.50, fairly stock value that, Israel to win is 6.00. You can have Russia not to win at 2.21.

My initial reason looking at the odds was to bet on Russia, that way I'd have some small crumbs of comfort should England be eliminated. But when you factor in that Russia are notoriously poor travellers, and that Israel have only lost 1 in their last 18 at home, that 6.00 is looking very good value indeed. Added bonus that Russia will need to push forward if the game is level towards the closing stages, making a breakaway Israel goal that bit more likely. I think I shall have a sneaky fiver on it anyway