England fans stop backing them:

PATRIOTIC PUNTERS’ PATIENCE WITH SVEN, BECKS AND ENGLAND RUNNING OUT

Fed up with seeing England play badly, only to be told after the game that they did well, punters are voting with their wallets and refusing to back England to beat Ecuador in their vital Last 16 game on Sunday, say bookmakers William Hill.

Despite the World Cup being set to produce a record betting turnover of one billion pounds, Hills say that very little of it is being staked on England to win on Sunday:

‘For the first time in living memory England punters are deserting them – and we face a bigger payout on an Ecuador win than an England triumph’ said William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe.

‘We have been hoping that this game would produce the biggest betting turnover yet, with up to £20 million staked on it industry-wide. Instead, England fans seem to be in shock after their side’s uninspired Group performances and the loss of key players through injury – where we would expect to see bets of up to £20,000 a time for an England win, the biggest we have yet taken are two of just £1000 each. In fact Ecuador have been heavily backed, with one bet of £3000 already taken for them. For the first time ever we could be looking at making a profit if England win a game.’

And not only are punters reluctant to back England - for the first time, Hills have had to open a book on David Beckham being substituted – and offer 9/4 that he will suffer that indignity during the Ecuador game. ‘We have had an unprecedented number of enquiries for Beckham to be subbed, another indication that punters are unhappy with his contribution so far.’

However, Hills still fear England winning the World Cup: ‘Most of the bets for England to win it were placed before or in the early stages of the tournament and one customer alone has £200,000 on them at 6/1 with a potential payout of £1.4 million. If they do go all the way the indstry will face an eight figure payout’

Latest William Hill World Cup odds……11/4 Argentina; 3/1 Brazil; 13/2 England; 15/2 Germany; 8 Italy; 10 Spain; 14 Holland; 22 France; 25 Portugal.

ENGLAND are 2/5 favourites to beat Ecuador, who are 7/1, in 90 minutes play, with the draw a 5/2 shot. Hills make England 1/5 to go through to the Quarter Finals, but they are 12/1 to have to do it via a penalty shoot out.

THE ONE player England fans remain loyal to is Wayne Rooney – who has been well backed at 4/1 to score the first goal of the Ecuador game. ‘Punters believe that Rooney is our talisman and our only hope of winning games’ said Hill’s spokesman Sharpe.

Rooney is 6/5 to score at any time in the match; 25/1 to get a hat trick and 5/6 to play for at least the first 90 minutes.

Hills have opened a book on just when Rooney’s first World Cup goal will come – and offer 7/2 that it will be during the first half v Ecuador; 4/1 in the second half; 16/1 during extra time; 11/2 in their Quarter Final game; 16/1 in the semi; 25/1 in either the Final or 3rd place play off – and 11/8 that he does not score during the tournament.

ROONEY is 9/2 third favourite to end up as England’s top scorer in the tournament, with Gerrard 6/5 favourite, Crocuh 7/2; Cole 6/1.

***William Hill are quoting England at 15/8 to be knocked out of the World Cup in a penalty shoot out - and have opened a book offering odds on whether each player in the squad will score from his first penalty shoot-out spot kick or not.
With England 12/1 to beat Ecuador in a penalty shoot out and 12/1 to lose to them in the same manner.
William Hill rate Frank Lampard as the most reliable penalty taker in the squad and offer 1/4 that he will score with his first penalty shoot-out effort - and 11/4 that he will miss it.
Second highest rated is Steven Gerrard - 2/7 to score and 5/2 to fail.
Despite his recent record, David Beckham is a 1/3 chance to score and 9/4 to miss, with Joe Cole at the same odds.
Hills then make Wayne Bridge, Michael Carrick, Ashley Cole, Peter Crouch, Stewart Downing, Jermaine Jenas, Wayne Rooney, John Terry and Theo Walcott all 4/11 to score and 2/1 to miss with their first effort.
At 2/5 to score are Sol Campbell, Jamie Carragher,Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves, Aaron Lennon, and Gary Neville, who are each 7/4 to miss.
David James is 4/9 to score and 13/8 to miss, while Scott Carson and Paul Robinson are both 1/2 to score and 6/4 to miss.
'This is the first time any bookmaker has ever priced up the penalty shoot-out' said William Hill spokesman GrahamSharpe, 'Punters can have singles, doubles, trebles and accumulators. If a player doesn't take one, bets on that selection will be voided.'

WHEN WILL ENGLAND BE KNOCKED OUT: 10/3 Last 16; 6/4 Q Finals; 11/4 Semis; 7/1 in Final.