The Benefit Of The Doubt
On the basis of what we saw on Friday at Wembley it would be hard to conjure up any enthusiasm for the hosts tonight against their old foes Germany.
But then you get into the realms of ‘benefit of the doubt’.
The dictionary defines the phrase as “to believe something good about something, rather than something bad, when you have the possibility of doing either”.
If you do want to give England the benefit of the doubt you have to essentially put a tick next to at least three of the following premises:
(1) England’s strengthened side tonight (including Sturridge back) will do better against the ‘experimental’ side fielded by Hodgson against Chile.
(2) Chile are a much better side than many pundits gave them credit for pre-match
(3) Germany themselves are not fielding their ‘A team’ tonight with boss Joachim Low set to give some of his fringe players the chance to impress against England.
(4) England will raise their game against the side that dumped them out of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
And that’s about all the evidence to consider if you do want to play the benefit of doubt card.
Historically, it hasn’t always been about Germany mind you….
HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Max last 10 only)
Jun 2010 World Cup Germany 4-1 England
Nov 2008 International Germany 1-2 England
Aug 2007 International England 1-2 Germany
Sep 2001 World Cup Germany 1-5 England
Oct 2000 World Cup England 0-1 Germany
Jun 2000 Euro England 1-0 Germany
Jun 1996 Euro England 1-1 Germany
Jun 1993 International Germany 2-1 England
Sep 1991 International England 0-1 Germany
May 1938 International Germany 3-6 England
We landed a nice profit last night on Star Spreads with a sell of Peterborough / Walsall and for tonight I’m buying Germany / England at around 0.25 on the basis that I don’t think there’s much of a downside.
On the basis I think you can say I’m NOT giving England the benefit of the doubt.
ADVICE
BUY GERMANY / ENGLAND at around 0.25.
- Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
- Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.
- To contact Star Spreads, call – 1800 624624 (Ireland), 0808 2349709 (UK), (+353) 1 8848114 (Abroad)
