Just a draw needed for England to advance in Euro 2012 but I think they’ll secure their place in the knockout stage with a win on Tuesday.
The Three Lions face Ukraine in their final Group D match and victory for the co-hosts would eliminate Roy Hodgson’s side. England look a cut above their fairly limited opponents however and the remaining 2.20 with Stan James should be snapped up.
England were rocked last time out by two quick fire Olof Mellberg headers which saw them fall behind against Sweden but they were the better team for the majority and roared back with goals from Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck to land all three points.
Those two strikes, which gave England the 3-2 win, were both expertly taken and they are starting to show some glimpses of individual talent to go with their hard-working team ethos.
In terms of talent, England possess nobody with more of it than striker Wayne Rooney and having had to serve a two-match ban at the start of the finals the Manchester United man is now ready to be thrust back into action.
Rooney has cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines and there is no doubt that England will benefit from the return of their talisman.
Hodgson looks set to leave Andy Carroll, who opened the scoring against the Swedes, on the bench but that is down to the excellent form of Welbeck and England now carry a threat.
While they might struggle to trouble better opponents as Euro 2012 progresses, a last eight clash with Spain looks likely, England should have too much for Ukraine and could well be suited by how the match is played.
With pace on the break in the aforementioned Manchester United duo, plus Theo Walcott, Ukraine could be picked off at will while England should have enough about them defensively too to keep their opponents at bay, even if star man Andriy Shevchenko survives a late fitness test.
2pts Back England (vs. Ukraine) @ 2.20 (Stan James)