Cross-Sport Multiple: Back England to squeeze past Norway

8Jun 2013

Betfair

Andrew Hughes thinks England's Under 21 side can get the better of Norway on Saturday and help land a cross-sport multiple in the process.

Bet 1: Back England to beat Norway at 1.8

Anyone who thinks the next generation of English footballers will prove better than the current first team only needed to watch the Under 21s perform in the European Championship on Wednesday to realise we may have longer to wait.

The familiar failings of English football were on display against Italy. Hard work, lots of running, but limited technical ability, and a battling defeat against more skilful opponents, who seemed much more comfortable on the ball.

The good news is that England can still progress against an equally limited Norwegian side. They have Wilfried Zaha and Thomas Ince available which should give them more of a cutting edge up front, and they beat Norway home and away in their qualifying group.

Bet 2: Back England to beat Australia at 1.72

Neither side have had a particularly good build-up to their opening Champions Trophy game, but England are the better bet to strike the opening blow against their arch rivals in this Ashes summer.

Australia have plenty of bowling options, but without Michael Clarke, who is struggling with a back injury, their batting is light on quality, as demonstrated by their capitulation in their second warm-up game against India. Stand-in captain George Bailey is also yet to prove himself as a skipper.

England have struggled against New Zealand in their three-match series, but their problems don't seem as serious as Australia's. Their batting lacks a certain dynamism in the absence of Kevin Pietersen, but they look a more solid, balanced side, and they can be backed to win their Group A encounter.

Bet 3: Back Scotland to beat Samoa at 2.1

Scotland's third place finish in the Six Nations was no fluke, and they have the chance to show how far they've come in the Quadrangular Tournament in South Africa. Whilst defeating the hosts seems unlikely, both of their other opponents are eminently beatable, starting with Samoa on Saturday.

The Samoans will bring their usual physical approach, and have been able to select some of their overseas based players, but Scotland have the edge over the men from the south Pacific, having won seven of their eight encounters, with one draw.

Samoa were thrashed 74-14 by the Lions in their opening tour game, in which they looked overwhelmed up front, and outpaced on the wings. They have also been beset by injury problems. A confident Scotland team should be able to take advantage.

Total Odds for this multiple: 6.5 Remember, multiple prices are based on our Sportsbook product, so any winnings are exempt from commission.