England Special - Top Team Scorer
Although, like any Englishman, I’d really like England to win the group and go all of the way in the competition, I don't have particularly high expectations going into the tournament. The timing of the FA’s appointment of Roy Hodgson, only weeks before before the start of the tournament, is less than ideal, and the squad is undergoing a transitional phase, with the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard perhaps playing their last major tournament and ready to be shown the door with a view to the future.
The loss of Wayne Rooney through suspension for the opening two Group games versus France and Sweden is also a major blow, and with none of England’s strike replacements – Andy Carroll, Jermaine Defoe and Danny Welbeck - prolific either on the international scene or at major international tournaments, goals must be a big worry for England, who are very solid defensively otherwise.
It could well be the case that a one or two goal haul could be enough to find a winner in this market, especially if England are eliminated at the group stage, and there must be some value in taking on the suspended Rooney, who is 5/1 favourite and has drawn a blank at England's last two major tournaments. Second favourite Carroll is expected to play more of a target man type role while the likes of Walcott and Downing appear the sorts that will be creating rather than converting.
The one that appeals as a value bet is ASHLEY YOUNG (8/1 Betfred), who added another England goal to his tally in this week's friendly with Norway and netted against Wales, Montengego and Holland last season to underline his goalscoring prowess.
The Manchester United winger has often been criticised for his theatrics but remains a danger to all around the egde of the box and will be hoping to curl one in against Sweden - who had one of the leakier defences in qualifying - or the penetratable Ukraine.
Ashley Young to be top England goalscorer 8/1 Betfred, 0.5 pt win
