Punters deserting England ahead of premature World Cup finale

Patriotic punters appeared to have given up on the England football team ahead of their final World Cup match against Costa Rica tomorrow, with bookmaker Coral taking a fraction of the bets on Roy Hodgson’s men that they did for the opening two games against Italy and Uruguay.

“With their opponents already through to the knock-out stage and therefore expected to rest key players, England are perhaps surprisingly still favourites to beat Costa Rica, but unlike the first two games, where we took millions of pounds on them winning, there’s no sign punters are willing to take a chance for a third time, and as an England fan and a bookie I can understand their reluctance,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

Costa Rica are 10-3 to record a third straight win, with the draw 13-5, while Daniel Sturridge is 5-1 to open the scoring in Belo Horizonte, ahead of Wayne Rooney at 11-2, with Frank Lampard, expected to captain the side, 10-1 to get the first goal.

“In the short term England’s two defeats to Italy and Uruguay were profitable for the bookies, but given a choice we would rather have seen them progress to the latter stages, as betting turnover in the tournament will be reduced due to the lack of home interest, although of course the fear we had of England defying the odds and going all the way in Brazil – an outcome that would have cost the industry millions –now seems rather absurd!” added Stevens.

**Match odds

4-5 England, 10-3 Costa Rica, 13-5 Draw

ENDS

Further Information Contact

David Stevens 07720 400438