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World Cup Countdown: 10/1 that Rooney sees red in group stage

| 02.06.2014

There may still be work to do on the Sao Paolo stadium that’ll host the World Cup’s opening fixture, but time is certainly running out with just 10 days remaining before the tournament begins.

One thing’s for sure though, Ladbrokes’ countdown in the days leading up to Brazil’s match with Croatia will be as relentless as ever and they’ve picked England’s Wayne Rooney as the subject of their latest juicy offering.

The striker, who is 18/1 to be the top scoring Premier League player at the World Cup, has been given odds of 10/1 that he’ll be sent off in any of England’s three group games at the tournament.

There is no escaping the fact that Rooney’s record on the World Cup stage is dire. He actually has more red cards to his name (one) under the largest footballing spotlight than he does goals (zero).

Rooney’s talent is obvious and, as has been the case at the last two tournaments, will carry much of the nation’s hopes on his shoulders in Brazil.

However, his precocious gifts have always been underpinned with a tempestuous streak, a trait that some nations look to exploit in order to try and gain an advantage over the Three Lions.

Rooney hasn’t been flashed a red card for either club or country for two seasons, but he is yet to give off the impression that he has his fire fully under control.

The last time the Manchester United lynchpin was given his marching orders, it came in the white shirt of his country when he was sent off against Montenegro in the final qualifier before Euro 2012.

On that occasion, Rooney allowed his opponents to get under his skin before kicking out, a rush of frustration that saw him miss the opening two group games in Poland.

Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica will all be well aware of Rooney’s potential to combust, and could use it to their advantage as Group D proceeds.

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

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Author

Matt Wiggins

No idyllic sound comes close to leather on willow for Matt, whose previous experience includes stints with Spin Magazine and Surrey County Cricket Club. It's not just cricket that interests him though, with football, golf, tennis and any American sport not played on ice all high on his list of favourites.