We’re real excited about the beautiful game’s biggest tournament here at Top Bet. We’ve previewed the U.S. Men’s National Team, as well as four-time champions Italy, and today we take a closer look at one of the giants of world football: England.
Perennial underachievers on the international stage, England has not won the World Cup since its lone triumph in 1966. In this year’s tournament, manager Roy Hodgson will be banking on a squad loaded with youth and priced at a valuable +3,300 to deliver the trophy back to the birth place of modern soccer.
If you think this is the year England will finally perform on the big stage, create a betting account and place a bet on the Three Lions today. Read on for our five keys to English’s chances in Brazil.
[sc:Soccer ]England 2014 World Cup Preview – 5 Keys to England’s Chances
Roy Hodgson’s Tactics
England manager Roy Hodgson was widely panned for his overly defensive and conservative tactics during his first tournament in charge at Euro 2012, but despite the criticism, he still saw England through to the quarterfinals. Two years later though, Hodgson’s side will be expected to produce similar (or even better) results while playing a more expansive style of football.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Hodgson has experimented with more nuanced formations such as 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 in past games, which has made England look more dynamic going forward. But Hodgson must strike that delicate balance between attack and defense in Brazil if England is to go through.
Wayne Rooney’s Form
Equally crucial in Hodgson’s tactical formation will be to get the best out of Wayne Rooney. Easily England’s most experienced (89 caps) and most prolific (38 goals) striker, Rooney has not played his best for the Three Lions since his breakout performance at Euro 2004.
Neither Rooney nor Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge (21 league goals this season) have been particularly comfortable being shifted out wide in the 4-3-3, which will play into Hodgson’s decision-making. Wherever he plays, England needs a strong showing from their talismanic striker.
Update: Rooney was once again deployed on the left wing of a 4-3-3 in England’s 2-2 draw against Ecuador, but turned in a more impressive display capped off by a goal.
Youth of the Nation
Back in 2010, England assembled its oldest ever World Cup squad, with an average age of close to 30. Going with the experience didn’t win the Cup, so Hodgson has gone the opposite direction and put together England’s second youngest crop of representatives ever.
With the likes of Luke Shaw (18 years old), Raheem Sterling (19), Ross Barkley and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (both 20), this England team’s average age is a mere 26.
As the saying goes, “If you’re good enough, you’re old enough,” which Hodgson clearly took to heart. But these Lion cubs have some significant growing up to do in the next few weeks if they’re to give England the performances needed to progress further in the tournament.
Update: Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered a knee injury in England’s tune-up game against Ecuador. His status for the World Cup is now questionable.
An Inexperienced Defense
Hodgson may have gone a little too far in infusing youth to his squad, especially on defense. Of the team’s seven defenders, only right-back Glen Johnson has more than 25 caps to his name.
Furthermore, the options available to partner with Gary Cahill in central defense all have question marks hanging above them. Phil Jagielka has just returned from a long injury layoff, Phil Jones suffered a shoulder injury at the end of the season, and Chris Smalling has never been a consistent starter for club or country.
Hodgson’s forte is defensive solidity and organization, and he’ll need to get his team ready from top to bottom so as not to expose his inexperienced backline. If he can’t, England risks an early exit.
Familiar Foes: Italy & Uruguay
Italy and Uruguay are +105 favorites to advance from Group D, and will be the main competition for England. The English will face those two in their first two tournament games, and will have intimate knowledge of what to watch out for.
England faced Italy in the quarterfinals of Euro 2012, where they eventually lost on penalties. The Italians will be slight +140 favorites when they meet on June 14. Meanwhile, English defenders (and Liverpool players especially) will be very aware of the threat of Uruguay’s Luis Suarez.
Beating both countries is highly unlikely, but simply avoiding defeat against their rivals in this group will give England a great shot at going through.
Writer’s Prediction
Even though they’re just +225 to win the group, the English are more than capable of reaching the Round of 16 for a sixth successive tournament. With youthful legs blended with a little quality and experience, England rallies behind Hodgson for a rare moment of performance under pressure, making the Round of 16 and losing in the quarters.
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