England 0-0 Brazil
A word of advice sports betting fans.
There’s still more than six months before a ball will be kicked at Russia 2018 and football games like this rarely prove an accurate indicator.
Whatever the outcome at Wembley tonight, realistically this was going to give little away as a potential barometer for tournament success next summer.
For example, whatever you thought of Brazil at the home of English football or in qualifying – and let’s face it they romped the South American qualifying group – they cannot be judged properly until a World Cup comes around.
More than three years on the country’s football fraternity, virtually every man, woman and child remain scarred from the humiliation of that 7-1 humbling by eventual World Champions Germany on home soil.
Their pedigree at international level, five times world champions, may be unmatched; the romance of their football still the level to which others aspire; but Neymar and Co. will not be judged until the summer showpiece begins.
Likewise, the welcome given to coach Tite – Brazil were sixth in their group when he arrived and promptly guided them to finish 10 points clear – and the upbeat feel generated since his appointment can only be properly assessed once the real action begins.
A draw at Wembley in a high-profile friendly match changes nothing.
For England, captained for the second match in a row by Eric Dier, the pressure is just as intense as their South American counterparts, even if the expectation is slightly lower.
The Three Lions may have gone through their qualifying campaign unbeaten, but the flops at the World Cup in 2014 and at Euro 2016, when they were humbled by Iceland, mean there will be no accurate assessment until the competitive tournament action gets going.
Perhaps, boss Gareth Southgate realises his side has not truly been tested as yet, and that is why friendlies have been arranged against Holland and Italy – albeit two giants who have not reached Russia 2018 – on the back of this game and the stalemate with Germany four days earlier.
Whether Southgate’s plan is to promote more youth into his squad or go for a tried and more experienced XI, Southgate will be judged in exactly the same manner as Tite.
It’s largely a results-based business and it doesn’t matter if it’s Joe Hart, Dier, Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford, Ruben Loftus-Cheek or Tammy Abraham given the nod, impressing on glamour occasions like this ultimately count for very little.
For the latest sports update, promotions and betting picks with SBOBET get social with our official Twitter, Google+, YouTube and Facebook accounts. Visit SBOBET and join us now. Start placing your bets today!
Click for more football betting options.
