England head to the World Cup in the tantalizing knowledge that Germany 2006 is their best chance of reaching a major final since Bobby Moore's men triumphed in 1966.

Almost 40 years of disappointment have followed with England lacking either the players, the luck or a combination of the two to get to another final since then in either the World Cup or European Championship.

Sports Interaction has set England's chances of winning the 2006 World Cup at 8.00 which is approximately 8 to 1 odds. 

The 2006 World Cup betting odds offered at Sports Interaction list England tied with Germany and Argentina, both with 8.00 odds.

England's toughest challenge to win the 2006 World Cup is considered by many to be a no-brainer.  Brazil is the 2006 World Cup favorite, with 3.75 odds posted at press time.  Brazil is the only nation to appear at all 18 World Cup finals and has a record 60 wins from 87 games.

Find early odds on the 2006 World Cup here

Now they have a potent mixture of youth and experience, plus a born match-winner in Wayne Rooney, two years after his thrilling four-goal blast at Euro 2004.

During the 1998 World Cup, a 12-year-old Rooney played street football with his friends after an England game, pretending to be Michael Owen.

Next June, the two men will lead England's attack, backed by a formidable midfield featuring David Beckham, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, plus some of Europe's best defenders.

After a wretched start to the season, which included a 4-1 friendly drubbing in Denmark and a humiliating 1-0 qualifying loss in Northern Ireland, England finished the year in style.

They won European Group Six after beating Poland at Old Trafford and optimism over England's chances increased when they came from behind to beat Argentina 3-2 in a friendly in Geneva on November 12.

Now coach Sven-Goran Eriksson needs to fine-tune his first XI and pray there is no repeat of the injuries which blighted England's 2002 campaign.

Paul Robinson is a clear first choice between the posts, as are Ashley Cole and Gary Neville as full-backs.

However, four players: Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell, John Terry and Jonathan Woodgate are chasing the two central defensive places and questions remain in midfield.

Does Eriksson play with a "flat" four with Joe Cole on the left, or with a diamond, with Ledley King in a defensive holding role?

Either way, their fans will expect this much-hyped England side to deliver.

On a side note, The prospect of the football World Cup finals being held in England in 2018 has been raised by the announcement of a Government feasability study into the plan.


England last hosted, and won, the World Cup in 1966
The move is the first stage in a potential bid by the Football Association (FA) to host the tournament.
 

Find early odds on the 2006 World Cup here
 

---

Gambling911.com News Wire

Originally published December 3, 2005 7:59 pm EST