FIVE minutes from beating the world champions, five minutes from reaching a first World Cup final for the first time in 60 years.
Trouble is, no one forgets about it in five minutes. Unless Thomas Tuchel leads England over the hump, that’s all he’ll be remembered for. Sitting there waiting for Argentina to beat us.
Let’s not forget, though, the German has the best winning percentage of any England manager ever and led the Three Lions to their best-ever performance overseas – they were third, not fourth as we were in Russia 2018.
But still, England led Croatia in the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and lost, led Italy in the 2020 Euro final and lost and then conceded twice in the last five minutes to our newest old enemy Argentina in Atlanta. Lost.
Had England survived, Spain would have been waiting in the final, which they deservedly won.
Today the long road back kicks off with the world champions on parade at Wembley in the Nations League.
Bet Balls
- Scotland to win in Slovenia today, BTTS, is 9-2 with BetGoodwin
- Salford to win to nil at Oldham tonight is 15-4 with BetGoodwin
- England and Spain to end 2-2 today is 11-1 with BetGoodwin
- Denmark to beat Wales 3-1 tomorrow is 10-1 with BetGoodwin
I’d have been surprised if England had beaten Luis de la Fuente’s side in New Jersey but today not so much.
The last major tournament qualifier England lost at Wembley was thanks to the Wally with the Brolly back in 2007, when Steve McClaren’s side were knocked over 3-2 by Croatia.
While England are very good at home in the big games, their recent home record is littered with Nations League defeats – Greece, Hungary and Denmark have all prevailed at the home of football.
But this is different; even though it’s just the Nations League it matters – in terms of psychology, redemption and pride, so I’m expecting Tuchel’s team to turn up.
As does Coral’s John Hill. He said: “At the World Cup, we were seeded to get to the semi-finals and the betting suggested we were around the third-fourth best team in the tournament. But I do believe we have the squad to win a big trophy.
“I’m also a huge fan of Spain and their overall set-up from youth football to senior football. They are drilled to play a certain way which means they find the transition into the senior team very easy. The fact David Raya can’t get a game for Spain tells you how strong they are.
“But I think England are good enough to get a draw here at 12-5 against the world champions. Both sides will be happy with a point.”
I’m on board with our man from Coral but favour draw BTTS at a best-priced 7-2 with BetVictor, while 1-1 is the correct-score market leader at 6-1.
The pick of the specials looks to be England’s record scorer Harry Kane and Spain superstar Lamine Yamal to score 2+ goals combined at 7-2 with Betway.
And just in case… Spain win from behind at 10-1 with the same firm. Hate to say it, but we’ve seen it before…
Dark horse
10-1: It’s not often England are underdogs at home, but with injuries and the world champions in the away dressing room, here we are. So Spain/draw double chance, Harry Kane to score anytime, with over 2.5 goals, looks a price at William Hill’s 10-1.
Man United have had eight proper, permanent managers since Alex Ferguson decided 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, two Champions Leagues and eight other major trophies was enough.
And to be fair to United, they have generally given the acts that followed time to fail. Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim all had more than two years in the Old Trafford dugout.
Michael Carrick earned his chance by turning United around after Christmas and getting them back into the Champions League.
So despite the clamour for his removal already and second-favourite status in the Sack Race at a best-priced 11-4 with BetGoodwin, I don’t see it.
Roberto De Zerbi has a track record of falling out with his employers and, after spending £300m and being bottom of the table, does not have far to fall.
NEXT PREM BOSS AXED (best odds): 9-4 De Zerbi; 11-4 Carrick; 5-1 Arbeloa; 6-1 Sage; 7-1 Lampard; 12-1 O’Neil; 14-1 Glasner; 16-1 Regis Le Bris.
Goodwinners’ Enclosure
They might have finally scored at the fifth attempt in the Prem last weekend, but Tottenham were still blown away by Villa at White Hart Lane.
Winless and rock bottom, punters are now starting to take the prospect of Championship football in North London next season very seriously.
Spurs’ relegation price just keeps marching in – and Roberto De Zerbi’s side have been backed into 13-2! The three promoted sides, Coventry, Ipswich and Hull, remain our all odds-on market leaders, with Palace the next rung up at 19-10.
Less of a shock was Liverpool doing just enough to grind out a win at Bournemouth, which got the weekend off to a profitable start for customers.
But Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues’ winning at Forest balanced the books nicely here at BetGoodwin Towers.
One result the punters struggled to believe was Arsenal’s thumping down on the South Coast.
Their hosts Brighton kicked off as 4-1 heavy underdogs and even when they went 1-0 behind, the Gunners attracted significant in-play support.
While the punters came piling in on the reigning champs to stage a comeback, the Seagulls put on a stunning performance, never looked like letting their backers down and cruised home 3-0.
Ditto 13-8 Brentford, who hammered Chelsea on Friday night – difference being when Brentford struck in the 61st minute, confidence in Chelsea quickly disappeared.
And all of that means the Premier League title market has had quite a shake-up! Arsenal are now at their biggest price for a while at 21-20, while second favourites Man City have been clipped into 5-4.
Have Chelsea waved goodbye to their title hopes? Our traders at BetGoodwin Towers certainly think so with the Blues drifting like a barge out to 20-1! The most notable move has been for the Seagulls, now the division’s top goalscorers this season, who find themselves backed into 40-1 shots.
As you may have noticed, the Prem has been forced off the pitch as the international break takes centre stage.
No doubt about the game of the weekend – England v Spain at Wembley tonight.
England impressed with their run to the World Cup semi-finals but will have their hands full with winners Spain.
Expect plenty of quality, in what many felt should have been the World Cup final. Spain look seriously strong and our head over heart bet is Spain to win and BTTS at 7-2.
Looking ahead to Euro 2028, not surprisingly La Roja head the market at 15-4, followed by France 4-1 and England 9-2. As ever, the last word goes to the BetGoodwin Banker and this weekend it’s Wycombe, Plymouth, York and Grimsby all to win at a boosted 11-1.
TV Previews
Slovenia v Scotland
Sebastien Pocognoli has boots to fill after Steve Clarke quit as Scotland manager after their World Cup exit.
Clarke led a threadbare squad to three major finals, the new boss will rely on John McGinn, Billy Gilmour and Andy Robertson today in Slovenia.
The Scots look a bet at 19-10 to start their Nations League with a win – Slovenia have won once in a year.
Recalled Oli McBurnie is the 5-2 pick with Sky Bet to score anytime.
FORECAST: 1-2
Oldham v Salford
The Ammies kicked off the League Two season as 6-1 favourites to win it, then spent the first month getting ‘Ammered.
But after losing their first three league games, Gary Neville’s mid-life project have turned things around nicely in what is their eighth season in the division.
Neighbours Oldham started solidly but have lost three straight. Away win tonight at 17-10 looks the ticket.
As does three-goal Joe Powell at Sporting Index’s 11-2 to score anytime.
FORECAST: 0-2
Denmark v Wales
Wales seek a first win in almost a year but it won’t be easy in with the Group A heavyweights. But they were far from disgraced losing 1-0 to Nations League holders Portugal on Thursday.
The same night, the Danes trailed 2-0 in Norway, fought back to 2-2 before Erling Haaland dispatched them. Home win on the cards then but Liverpool striker Lewis Koumas is a danger and an interesting 9-2 with Sky Bet to score anytime.
FORECAST: 3-1
Top Tips
Pro bet
Bulgaria to beat Luxembourg, Plymouth to beat Burton, Bristol Rovers to beat Exeter, Cambridge to beat Wimbledon, Fleetwood to beat Rochdale. Acca pays 22-1 with Ladbrokes.
Retirement bet
Czech Rep to beat Croatia, Norway to beat Portugal, Peterborough to win at Stockport, Gillingham to win at York, Cheltenham to beat Chesterfield, Walsall to win at Tranmere, Crewe to win at Rotherham, Northampton to win at Port Vale. Perm 1 x Acca, 8 x 7-folds, 28 x 6-folds. Acca pays 26,360-1 with Unibet.
Away day
Netherlands to win in Serbia, Andorra to win in Gibraltar, Barnet to win at Crawley, Grimsby to win at Newport. Acca pays 11-1 with Unibet.
Top draw
England v Spain, Lithuania v Azerbaijan, Wycombe v Reading, Shrewsbury v Colchester. Acca pays 127-1 with Coral.
TV Special
Scotland to win in Slovenia, England v Spain draw, Salford to win at Oldham, Denmark to beat Wales. Acca pays 40-1 with Coral.
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