McLarens Last Chance!

Estonia vs. England
06-06-2007
K.O. 19:30 BST
I can't see there being much chance of England losing this crucial qualifier, the squad are well aware of the consequences and will no doubt be highly motivated.

However, Estonia do have a reputation for being a difficult side to break down, and seeing as how England are currently struggling for creativity, I do not predict a goal-fest. Mart Poom is also a decent keeper and may well be a hero tonight, my score prediction is a miserly 1-0 to England (at 5/1). My natural instinct says 3-0, but as England consistently let me down when I expect a rout, I have chosen to be more sensible today - and at 11/2 I think 3-0 is a bad bet.

Estonia have yet to score a goal in qualifying, and I predict they will not get off the mark tonight, but if you fancy a long shot then any score that has England winning and Estonia scoring will be generous odds. England to win 2-1 looks good at 9/1.

The English midfield retains it's familiar look, and with Owen and Crouch upfront the chances are that Becks will have a decent game. Estonia may defend deep and some mistimed tackles around the edge of the box give Beckham a good chance of being first to score, and at 15/2 it looks reasonable. My prediction though is Joe Cole. Bridge will play and I think his tendency to bomb forward will give Cole more opportunity to come inside and make a few dangerous runs into the box.

For a Spurs based angle, King is an interesting 25/1 to score first, but has he done enough to retain his place? Anyway, this looks a better shot that Jenas at 14's and Defoe at 5's - neither of whom I expect to get a kick (especially not at 0-0).

Scorecast: England win 1-0, Cole scores first - 50/1
Spurs Bet: King to score first 25/1