Strong Sweden to gain second-half draw against experimental England

Sweden are well known to be one of the ultimate bogey teams of England and 16/1 looks a massive price that they avoid defeat again by securing a draw after being behind at half time.

England manager Fabio Capello has revealed that he is to make eight changes from the side that edged to victory over Spain, with some more youngsters set to be given international experience.

Kyle Walker is almost certain to start at full-back, Jack Rodwell has been told he will start after performing with credit off the bench against Spain, while Danny Welbeck is to feature in attack in a 4-4-2 formation, possibly alongside Bobby Zamora.

With John Terry and Gareth Barry potentially the only largely experienced heads in the starting line-up, there is every chance that Sweden can continue to avoid defeat against England.

England have failed to beat Sweden in 12 meetings since 1968 and the visitors have named almost a full-strength squad for their trip to Wembley.

However, England have made a habit of starting quickly of late and also have a knack of netting first-half goals against Sweden.

Nine of the last 12 goals England have struck against the Scandinavians have arrived in the opening 45 minutes, while the last 12 they have netted in 2011 have been in the first half, dating back to Ashley Young’s winner in Denmark in February.

Therefore, the best England odds may prove the 5/4 they are ahead at the interval.

But Sweden have only not scored once in their last 12 games and have the firepower of the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in their ranks.

The fact that four of the last five meetings between England and Sweden have ended all-square is another reason to fancy a second-half equaliser and it would be no surprise to see England display the inconsistency of beating the world champions and then failing to defeat arguably inferior opposition.

Punters wanting to keep it simple can get 11/5 that the game ends in a draw.