Robert Green’s odds of claiming the number one jersey for England’s World Cup opener against the USA have been cut to 13/8 (from 2/1) this week, following substantial support for the West Ham shot stopper to be Capello’s first choice on June 12.
Green’s solid performance in the first half of England’s friendly against Mexico on Monday, during which he made two stunning saves, sparked a flurry of bets on him winning the fiercely contested battle to be England’s number one. David James’ odds have been eased to 11/10 (from 10/11), while Manchester City’s Joe Hart is now the outsider to get the nod at 3/1.
Sky Bet make Green a 5/2 shot to start between the posts in England’s final warm-up match against Japan in Austria on Sunday, with James the favourite at 8/11 and Hart the 3/1 outsider.
Sky Bet’s football betting spokeswoman Helen Jacob said: “Prior to Monday, Green was our 4/1 outsider to be Capello’s number one choice to start against the USA in what is shaping up to be the most hotly contested battle within the England squad.
“It may be an overreaction, but since then we haven’t taken a bean on David James or Joe Hart to start against the Americans.”
Peter Crouch’s goal against Mexico has also prompted a run of support for him to start up front with Wayne Rooney in Rustenburg and Sky Bet face a hefty payout on a Rooney-Crouch partnership after it was backed down to 11/10 from 3/1.
Editor’s note: Odds quoted are checked and correct at the time of writing
