England on drift to do what Brazil, Spain and Colombia couldn’t
Published:Were it not for Chile’s inability to hold onto leads against some of the bigger nations that the world of international football can offer, then they would be arriving at Wembley on a seven-game winning streak to face England.
Chile’s only two blips in their last seven have been draws against Spain, where they led 2-1 until conceding an injury-time equaliser to Jesus Navas, and a 3-3 draw with Colombia, having been 3-0 ahead after 68 minutes.
Throw in, that as well as Spain and Colombia, Brazil have also failed to secure a home win against Chile in 2013 and it is understandable as to why England are on the drift to triumph at Wembley.
England’s odds have slumped from 8/11 to 10/11, with the money coming for Chile to replicate their victory of 1998 when they last visited Wembley. Alexis Sanchez and co have seen their winning price cut from 10/3 to 3/1.
Other reasons for these price changes could be the realisation that England haven’t scored in their three meetings with Chile since 1953 and the raft of withdrawals for Roy Hodgson, which pretty much guarantees that he will line up with an experimental team.
Captain Steven Gerrard, fellow central midfielder Michael Carrick, Kyle Walker and strikers Danny Welbeck and Rickie Lambert are confirmed to be missing, while another forward, Daniel Sturridge, is highly doubtful.
Furthermore, Joe Hart is certain not to start in goal.
It is in the attacking positions where England look especially short on experience, with two of Adam Lallana, Jay Rodriguez and Andros Townsend having a strong case for starting, unless one is sacrificed for the more proven James Milner.
As for Chile, Juventus’ Arturo Vidal is the major absentee, as he has been sent back to Turin so treatment can start on a thigh problem.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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