England Algeria Betting – Three Lions Roar Against Algerians

England’s online betting chances at the World Cup must have taken a small hit with a draw in their opening match, and now they’ll be facing an Algerian team that surely needs to win to have any chance of going through to the next round. This could open up the door for England to get a boost of confidence.

• What: World Cup betting
• When: Friday, June 18th, 2:30 PM ET
• Where: Green Point Stadium, Cape Town
• Key Stats: This is the first meeting for these two sides

The Storyline

The Three Lions are coming off a disappointing 1-1 draw, and the less said about Robert Green’s goalkeeping howler, the better. The Desert Foxes were unfortunate to fall 1-0 to Slovenia, and they had their own error between the sticks, so there should be plenty of tense moments in this one.

Who Has The Edge On Offense: England Algeria Betting

Wayne Rooney was muted against the United States, and you could argue that Emile Heskey had a better game. But England had nothing going on the flanks, and we’re still wondering while James Milner started, only to get a red card and get taken off after 31 minutes. Frank Lampard emerged later in the game, but it was Steven Gerrard who looked more lively and scored the only goal for England. Gerrard may shift out to the wing with Gareth Barry healthy, and you may see Joe Cole as Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon were ineffective.

The Algerians managed 10 shots on net, hitting the target twice, and there were really no serious attempts to trouble Slovenia, outside of a free kick from defender Nadir Belhadi, and when you best chance comes from that, you could have a problem. Rafik Saifi leads the team with 19 goals in 63 caps, but he’s now 35 and was only on the pitch over the last 10 minutes. They’ll also be without Abdelkader Ghezzal, who earned his second yellow card after 73 minutes.

Who Has The Edge In Defense: England Algeria Betting

Manager Fabio Capello has to decide if Green has recovered from his error, but he may not have a choice as David James had a sore knee coming into the World Cup, and Joe Hart has three caps. Now, Ledley King is out until the semis (if England make it that far), and while England has cover in Jamie Carragher, Michael Dawson and Matthew Upton, but that’s not encouraging. At least Barry is back to shield the back four, which allows Lampard and Gerrard to get forward. But there’s a big question in goal.

Faouzi Chaouchi won the first-choice job in the final game of qualifying, when Lounes Gaouaoui was suspended, and he held onto it at the African Cup of Nations. His gaffe against Slovenia was only marginally better than Green’s, so you have to think that he’ll be in goal again, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the more experienced Gaouaoui was given a chance. The Algerians only allowed a few real chances for the Slovenians, but they’ll have their hands full against England.

Notable Injuries – England Algeria Betting

King (groin) will definitely sit this one out, while Ashley Cole (ankle) and Rooney (ankle) trained and will be fine enough that England’s World Cup betting odds won’t be affected.

Algeria look to be healthy as well.

Totals – England Algeria Betting

England is going to be the more attacking of the two as they know that goal difference counts in this tournament, and if there’s an early goal, the Algerians will have to reply, and that could open up the game.

England Algeria Betting Prediction & Outlook

England is a huge -450 favorite in this World Cup contest, while Algeria is listed at +1000, and a draw is rated at +500. This is the first meeting for these two, and only two Algerian players are based in England, so there won’t be much familiarity amongst them. England’s mental toughness has always been questioned, and they’re going to need their best players, Rooney and Gerrard, to take the match by the scruff the net. The Algerians will be content to try and counterattack, but the Three Lions have the speed to keep up for a sports betting win.

Bet World Cup: England -450