International Football Results: 1.03 England denied by Ghana

Internationals / Joe Dyer / 29 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Asamoah Gyan wheels away after scoring the late equaliser

"Gyan's moment of brilliance ensured there would be no second win or clean sheet for England. The final score of 1-1 was backed at [40.0] In-Play."

Late goal shocks Capello's men and the Betfair markets

Ghana ruined the England party with a 91st minute equaliser that caused In-Play carnage in the Betfair markets.

The home side were trading at [1.03] to win against a spirited, unpredictable Ghana side but were undone at the death. And it was Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan who did the damage, producing a jinky run and slotted finish to deny Fabio Capello's experimental side.

Earlier in the game, Andy Carroll scored his first goal for the national team with a neat and powerful finish in the 41st minute. The Liverpool striker's shot landed In-Play winners at [9.0] on England earning a half-time lead.

And it looked like it would stay that way until the final whistle despite Ghana showing the same brand of exciting football that took them to the cusp of the World Cup semi-finals last summer.

However, Gyan's moment of brilliance ensured there would be no second win or clean sheet for England. The final score of 1-1 was backed at [40.0] In-Play.

Elsewhere in the British Isles, the Republic of Ireland produced a five-goal thriller against Uruguay at the Aviva Stadium. The home side found themselves 3-1 down by the 40th minute, pulled one back early in the second half but couldn't make it count. Over 4.5 goals was backed at an In-Play high of [15.0].

It was less dramatic at Windsor Park where Northern Ireland were held to a goalless draw by Slovenia, leaving them in fifth place in Group C.

Meanwhile there was betting drama in Germany where Australia shocked the World Cup semi-finalists with a 2-1 win. The Socceroos were backed at [75.0] to beat the hosts, who opened the scoring.

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International Friendly Betting: England v Ghana

Euro 2012 / Feizal Rahman / 28 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Fabio Capello is set to ring the changes for Tuesday's friendly with Ghana

"England have kept just two clean sheets in Wembley friendlies since 2008, conceding in each of the last five. Eight of these nine non-competitive fixtures have produced at least three goals, with half of those delivering four or more."

After beating Wales comfortably on Saturday, England turn their attention to a Wembley friendly against Ghana on Tuesday evening. With Fabio Capello set to make as many as seven changes, including both centre-backs, Feizal Rahman expects goals.

Having slain the Welsh dragon, England now turn their attention to Tuesday evening's poorly timed friendly against Ghana at Wembley. With a large chunk of Fabio Capello's squad looking ahead to next week's Champions League qualifiers, the Italian is is set to ring the changes.

Five players who started Saturday's comfortable win at the Millennium Stadium have been released with John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Wayne Rooney and Michael Dawson all sent back to their respective clubs. Yet, Dawson's Tottenham teammates Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon remain and will be hoping for a starting berth.

Ghana played an African Cup of Nations qualifier in the Republic of Congo on Sunday before flying to London and may also rotate what will be a travel-fatigued squad. The Black Stars have five Premier League players in their group, though AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng is out with an ankle injury.

Match Odds
The prospect of playing at Wembley often provides great incentive for visiting nations and Ghana will be well supported. However, England have seven friendly wins from the last nine at the 90,000 capacity stadium, losing only to France.

England have never faced Ghana but are unbeaten against African nations, winning ten of 14 contests - though eight of those were against the more Mediterranean-style North African sides such as Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.

Since suffering an agonising elimination by Uruguay in last year's World Cup quarter-finals, Ghana have played six matches - all but one against African opposition - winning three times and losing just the once to South Africa.

Although filled with talent that plies its trade in European leagues, the Black Stars' record against European opposition on the international stage is mediocre. They defeated Serbia at the last World Cup but went on to lose to Germany.

Yet, prior to that in pre-tournament warm-ups, they were convincingly put away by the Netherlands and Bosnia Herzegovina and England look an attractive [1.76] to pick up another home win with Ghana [5.3] and the Draw around [4.0].

Under/Over 2.5 Goals
England have kept just two clean sheets in Wembley friendlies since 2008, conceding in each of the last five. Eight of these nine non-competitive fixtures have produced at least three goals, with half of those delivering four or more. Over 2.5 Goals looks a sound bet at [2.16] with Over 3.5 Goals an In-Play option.

With England's defence lacking both captain John Terry and Michael Dawson, an inexperienced centre-back partnership of Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill will be fielded - the pair sharing ten caps between them. Both Teams to Score can be backed at around [2.1] with 'No' to an England clean sheet available at [1.71].

Half Time
With a tendency to emerge from the traps in lackadaisical manner, England have led at the break in just one of their last four home friendlies, conceding before half time in three of those fixtures and coming from behind to win in two.

Capello's men are a [2.34] lay to win the first half with Ghana around [7.0] to lead after 45 minutes. The Black Stars can also be backed at [3.2] to score the opening Next Goal with the Three Lions at least [9.0] to win from behind.

First Goalscorer
Fabio Capello declared pre-match that Andy Carroll will start up front and the Liverpool striker should be around [6.0] to be First Goalscorer. However, both Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe have an impressive international record of late.

The 6ft 7in frontman has eight in his last ten appearances, with the shorter of the pair hitting four from four. Both will be in the region of [3.0] To Score at any time - as will Ghana's primary attacking threat, Sunderland's Asamoah Gyan.

Top stat: All but one of England's friendly matches under Fabio Capello at Wembley have seen three goals or more scored.

Best bet: Back Over 2.5 Goals @ [2.16]

Recommended bet: Back Both Teams To Score @ [2.1]

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