Breaking Bets: Rattled Roy’s England priced up for Swiss misfire

Roy Hodgson’s obvious annoyance at being ‘hit with stats’ in the wake of England’s dreary 1-0 friendly victory over Norway has led Ladbrokes to release one of their breaking bets.

The firm have offered a tantalising price of 9/2 that England are again reduced to recording only two shots or fewer on target when they take on Switzerland in their opening qualifying game for Euro 2016 in Basel.

This was the number which England officially managed against a resolute if hugely limited Norwegian outfit at Wembley, while one of those shots obviously represented the penalty fired home by Wayne Rooney.

The England manager’s feathers were quite obviously ruffled by the journalist pointing out the meagre tally of on-target efforts from his Three Lions side in their friendly.

Hodgson said: “Don’t give me that one, I mean, two shots on target?” What about all the shots that they threw themselves in the way of in the first half? Don’t hit me with statistics – you use them if you like.”

Despite the gaffer’s protestations however, anyone who witnessed the Norway game will be aware that this punt offers real credibility on a night where the creative spark lacked sufficient ignition too often.

Aside from the link-up between Liverpool pairing Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge there was a dearth of action in the opposition penalty area.

Against a far more settled and adventurous Switzerland side who were only knocked out of the World Cup by a 120th minute Angel Di Maria strike, Hodgson’s new-look Three Lions mob could well struggle.

The Swiss only let in six goals during the whole of qualification process for the World Cup.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £100 in free bets.