Michael Owen has made the headlines recently with his hat-trick haul against Wolfsburg in the Champions League. Although he has only played once during Fabio Capello's England tenure, more goals for Manchester United between now and the end of the season could see England's fourth highest goalscorer called into the squad for the World Cup.
He has come in from 5s to 4-1 to be in the squad, and having been 1-10 not to be in the squad, he is now 1-3 after his three-goal showing in Germany - those odds available from Sky Bet.
Having scored four goals in 12 World Cup finals appearances - and been England's top scorer in 1998 (along with Alan Shearer) and 2002, he could be a decent outside chance at 33-1 this time - those odds with Bet365 and Sky Bet.
Staying on the top scorer theme, they are many considerations to be taken into account when taking a punt for other players to be England's top marksman.
Possible failure to qualify from the group (offered as a 6-1 chance by William Hill, 1-12 to qualify being from the same firm) - and how this could affect in the top scorer list; the influence of set piece takers, or injuries between now and the World Cup which could influence squad selection.
Other players to have World Cup finals goalscoring experience includes David Beckham, who has scored in the last three tournaments - though of course he is likely not to be a starter this time. He is at 33s with Sky Bet, Boylesports and Victor Chandler. Steven Gerrard was top scorer with two goals in 2006, and is 7-1 with Bluesq and 888Sport this time. Peter Crouch (14-1 William Hill) and Joe Cole (28-1 Boylesports) also scored in the finals four years ago.
We offer a number of World Cup Free bets on Top England Goalscorer here.
Wayne Rooney was top scorer for England in qualifying with nine goals, and he is England's favourite for the accolade at 11-4 with Boylesports. There are also the likes of Frank Lampard (6-1 Bet365 and Boylesports) and Jermain Defoe (7-1 various) who are likely goalscorers, while Emile Heskey (16-1 various) has been first choice up front in recent games under Capello, despite a poor goals return.
Outside fancies include Theo Walcott (25-1 Bluesq and 888Sport), John Terry (33-1 various), Rio Ferdinand (66-1 Boylesports) - a scorer in 2002 - and what price no England goalscorer? William Hill offer 50-1.
The squad bets offer little value in comparison, with Owen's recent eye-catching goalscoring form causing the main market moves.
Potential value bets (better than evens), offered by Sky Bet on England World Cup squad omissions include Carlton and Joe Cole at 11-10, Wes Brown 6-5, Emile Heskey 9-4, Beckham 5-2 and Rio Ferdinand 8-1 - recent injury and potential loss of form being the main reasons for their inclusion here.
I've noted a broader list of outsiders to make the squad, again taking into account potential loss of form or injuries to others, whilst also considering younger players - based on Theo Walcott's shock call-up four years ago. Paul Robinson (9-4 Bet365), Owen Hargreaves (5-2 Bet365), Jonathan Woodgate (9-2 Paddy Power), Chris Kirkland 6-1 (Paddy Power), Micah Richards (13-2 Sky Bet), Gary Neville, Ledley King and Kieran Richardson (7-1 Paddy Power), Kieran Gibbs (8-1 Bluesq, 888Sport), Jack Rodwell (10-1 Bluesq, 888Sport), Ryan Shawcross (10-1 Bet365), Jack Wilshere (14-1 Paddy Power) and Mark Noble (18-1 Paddy Power) all offer some value.
There are a wealth of other specials bets which could be of value to punters. William Hill are offering 11-10 that any player will be sent off - Wayne Rooney was dismissed in the finals in 2006. Any player to score a hat-trick is 7-2 with Bluesq and 888Sport - a possibility given England's group, although Gary Lineker in 1986 is the last England player to achieve that feat in finals.
Given England's goalscoring prowess in qualifying, 4-1 with William Hill is offered on them being World Cup top scorers. And of course, defeat on pens - as in 1990, 1998 and 2006 - is a 6-1 chance with Bluesq and 888Sport. A third consecutive defeat at the quarter-final stage is also offered at 7-2 with Paddy Power.
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