Man United star cut to start England’s first World Cup game
Published:Some of those auditioning for a place in Roy Hodgson’s starting XI for the first match of the World Cup against Italy did their chances no harm in a comfortable 3-0 victory for England over Peru at Wembley.
Daniel Sturridge’s exquisite curled effort around the half-hour mark added much needed sparkle to a generally dull first 45, before England exerted their authority in the second half with a headed goal apiece for centre-backs Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka.
Sturridge’s chances of leading the line for the Three Lions in Brazil have always looked favourable and after that sublime goal, the 1/8 he starts against Italy has a concrete feel.
In what was a very strong line-up fielded by Hodgson some of the other major winners on the night were Danny Welbeck and Southampton’s Adam Lallana, who were selected for the wide forward positions ahead of the likes of Raheem Sterling (5/6) and James Milner (1/1).
Both Sterling and Milner were introduced as second-half substitutes though.
A trusted foot soldier under Hodgson’s regime, Welbeck was only one of four outfield players to last the 90 minutes, which sees his odds to start against Italy cut from 13/8 to 11/8.
There was a similar shift for Lallana, whose odds have moved in from 5/6 to 4/5 following another promising showing in during his 73-minute display at Wembley, which illustrated that he can be the man to drive the Three Lions forward in attack.
Meanwhile, Jordan Henderson was the other big winner on the night. The industrious Liverpool midfielder played from the start against Peru and although he was a little ring rusty in the first half, he kept England ticking over with precision in the second.
Like Welbz, Henderson too lasted the 90 and his price to line up against the Azzurri has since shrunk from 5/6 to 8/11.
To start against Italy – price changes
Jordan Henderson 8/11 from 5/6
Adam Lallana 4/5 from 5/6
Danny Welbeck 11/8 from 13/8
Raheem Sterling 5/6 from 4/5
James Milner Evs from 5/6
Jack Wilshere 11/10 from 10/11
England to win the World Cup 28/1
To start against Italy
Joe Hart 1/25
Wayne Rooney 1/16
Gary Cahill 1/16
Steven Gerrard 1/16
Glen Johnson 1/10
Phil Jagielka 1/10
Leighton Baines 1/10
Daniel Sturridge 1/8
Jordan Henderson 8/11
Adam Lallana 4/5
Raheem Sterling 5/6
James Milner Evens
Jack Wilshere 11/10
Danny Welbeck 11/8
Phil Jones 7/2
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain 7/2
Chris Smalling 9/2
Luke Shaw 6/1
Ross Barkley 6/1
Frank Lampard 5/1
Rickie Lambert 10/1
Ben Foster 16/1
Fraser Forster 50/1
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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