Internationals 
/ Matthew Walton / 27 February 2012 / Leave a Comment Are international friendlies games to endure rather than enjoy? Perhaps, but that doesn't mean there isn't money to be made when Stuart Pearce's young Lions run out at Wembley on Wednesday night...
Looking at the results of their first game in charge, the last ten permanent England managers have a combined record of W8 D2 L0, For 22, Against 3.
The last two caretaker bosses have a record of W0 D0 L2, For 0, Against 3.
So it stands to reason that how you view national team coach Stuart Pearce - candidate for the permanent job or mere bench warmer? - will determine your betting strategy for the upcoming England match against Holland.
If nothing else, it will add some interest to what would otherwise be another meaningless international friendly. England might meet Holland at this summer's European Championships but, in the mean time, can we use this logic to come up with some meaningful bets for the Wembley showdown?
The widely held view is that friendlies aren't usually classics. At least the former coach, Fabio Capello, took them rather more seriously than some other national bosses, such as Sven Goran Eriksson, but generally speaking these are games to be endured rather than enjoyed.
That's why the last 20 England friendlies have a respectable appearance (W13 D3 L4) but the 20 before that, during Eriksson/McLaren years, are less impressive (W10 D5 L5).
One stat which does straddle both eras is the number of goals in these games. And it might be higher than you think. Those previous 20 friendlies are 11/20 for over 2.5 goals... the most recent sample were 13/20 in favour of the higher make-up.
The caveat is that the better the opposition, the lower the number of goals (in broad terms) but the [2.28] on offer still makes appeal. England's last friendly with the Netherlands in Amsterdam back in August 2009 was a 2-2 draw.
The eight losses in this near 10 year period have come against Spain (3), France (2), Brazil, Denmark and Sweden. All ranked amongst the best international sides around.
Naturally, there will be a number of factors which could influence the outcome. The absentees (from both sides), the starting XI's, the number of substitutions, the approach of Pearce himself as well as the players. Of course, the Dutch are a talented side and their strategy will be equally important in the spectacle that unfolds (or not, as the case may be).
Like his namesake, the England rugby team's Lancaster, this Stuart looks a permanent appointment, but only until somebody better comes along. And that somebody (in most people's view, Harry Redknapp) doesn't look like turning up just yet.
All the same, Pearce still fails to convince as the FA's number one choice for the manager's role which is why, according to the data, England appeal more as a lay at [2.88].
Elsewhere, Germany host France, Eire play the Czech Republic and Poland meet Portugal. There is also Denmark against Russia and Sweden at home to Croatia. All are, again, potential dress-rehearsals for Euro 2012.
Should we read much into these fixtures? They are 'meaningless' friendlies to many observers but the manager's will want to learn something about their teams' progress and players will be competing for places. However, we shouldn't forget these games are being played at a time of the season when domestic competitions are approaching their critical phase, likewise the European inter-club tournaments.
Should we therefore expect every player to be going flat out for their country when, right at this moment, their club might need them more. France v Germany, which see one of Euro 2012's lowest scoring qualifiers visiting one of the highest scorers. With Bayern Munich chasing Dortmund in the Bundesliga and having a big return match against FC Basel coming up, will Ribery, Gomez and Muller put in a full shift? These two nations have played four friendlies against each other during the past 20 years; three of those matches produced under 2.5 goals.
Key Stat
In the last 20 years, England have played Holland five times in international friendlies... and are yet to win once (P5 W0 D4 L1).
Recommended Bets
England v Holland over 2.5 goals [2.28]
Germany v France under 2.5 goals [1.88]
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