World Cup Countdown: England facing Colombia a real possibility
Published:Three is the magic number according to De La Soul and this could well prove the case for Ladbrokes’ punters looking to cash in on the firm’s World Cup countdown special bets.
With a mere 72 hours (ish) left until Brazil and Croatia pop the lid on the 2014 World Cup, the bookies offer a magic-looking 3/1 that Colombia will be lying in wait should England qualify for the second round.
This is a scenario which has definite legs. As it currently stands Colombia are very-well fancied to finish Group C as the winners.
Indeed the south Americans are priced up as the 4/5 favourites to be situated at the summit of Group C once the first phase of the tournament has elapsed in a set containing relatively mediocre sides Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan.
Not only will the Colombians be adapted to the gruelling conditions in neighbouring Brazil, but they also qualified in extremely convincing fashion, finishing just two points shy of Argentina’s total.
They even pipped Chile, many people’s dark horses for the tournament, so Jose Pekerman’s squad look like being a force.
Even though Colombia have been robbed of Radamel Falcao’s services, the likes of Porto hotshot Jackson Martinez and Sevilla’s Carlos Bacca are more than able deputies.
Meanwhile, the Three Lions fulfilling their side of this bargain is just as plausible, given they must squeeze out one of 2010 semi-finalists Uruguay and 2006 World Champions Italy to progress.
England are well versed in scraping through as the group’s second side, something they did during the 2010 edition in South Africa and another three two times from their last five World Cup appearances.
Even the most ardent of England fans would certainly settle for a repeat of that route to the knock-out stages in 2014.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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