Israel v England Betting Preview

The five month wait for England's Euro 2008 game in Israel, must have felt like an eternity for England manager, Steve McClaren, desperate to make amends for last October's 2-0 Group E defeat by Croatia in Zagreb.

Unfortunately for McClaren, the Three Lions don't have an easy game to get their qualification back on track. England will travel to the Ramat Gan National Stadium as slight favourites with online sportsbook, Pinnacle Sports. This crunch game will see them face an Israeli side who drew with France, Switzerland and Ireland during an unbeaten World Cup 2006 qualification campaign, narrowly missing out on a place in Germany.

Israeli coach, Dror Kashtan, has named a 24 man squad, mixing home-grown talent, with Premiership experience. West Ham's Yossi Benayoun will pull the strings in midfield while Bolton's, Tel Ben Haim, marshals the defence; fellow Trotter Idan Tal, is however, suspended along with top-scorer, Roberto Colautti, opening the door for Chelsea's inexperienced 17 year old striker, Ben Sahar.

England are without several first choice defenders and their under-studies. England stalwart, Gary Neville, is out along with 18 year old Micah Richards; while Ashley Cole is suspended and his usual replacement for club and country Wayne Bridge, is also crocked. Up-front McClaren will be without the aerial threat of Peter Couch, while Joe Cole and Michael Owen remain long-term absentees, leaving the onus on Manchester United's in-form striker, Wayne Rooney, to improve England's poor recent scoring record, with just one goal in the last four games.

Odds at Pinnacle Sports: Israel 2.08 (+0.5), England 1.855 (-0.5)