SkyBet: Capello’s men are favourites but do not expect a clean sheet

England will expect to win this game but at 4-9 they certainly do not represent any value.

With the controversial reappointment of a declining John Terry as captain and the absence of Rio Ferdinand, Wales will feel confident of breaching the England rearguard and both teams to score looks a good odds against shot at 6-5.

Although Gary Speed’s men will probably just be lacking in a little bit of class to stop England winning the game, it is hard to see England winning by more than one clear goal, so ‘Wales +2’ on the handicap at 1-2 looks the call.

With Russia looking strong favourites to win Group B, Republic of Ireland are in a battle to make the play-offs and need three points at home to rivals Macedonia to remain in contention.

Macedonia specialise in tight encounters; eight of their last 10 matches have produced under 2.5 goals, and with Ireland often struggling to score, odds of 1-2 does look plenty short about a home win. Macedonia will bite your hand off for a draw now so let’s take the 4-6 for ‘under 2.5 goals’.

Scotland have never beaten Brazil and their chances of doing so tomorrow are diminishing due to the absence of many key players.

However, it is interesting to know that in Brazil’s last 18 World Cup qualifiers, the average time of their first goal was 51 minutes.

Using this statisitic, perhaps a bet on the draw a half-time, Brazil full-time at 3-1 holds more appeal than 4-11 for a Brazil win.

Domestically, Gary Megson has endured a torrid time since arriving at Hillsborough and the Sheffield Wednesday manager will be looking over his shoulder as the Owls sink ever closer to the League One relegation trap door.

After an embarrassing 4-1 home defeat by Peterborough, they fared no better in front of the Sky TV cameras last Saturday when beaten 2-0 by Southampton and today’s game at Dagenham is turning into the proverbial relegation six-pointer.

The Daggers are only three points behind Wednesday with a game in hand and their recent six-match form is far superior.

However, as bad as Wednesday are, the 9-5 that they collect three points today screams value as they would have been odds-on for this fixture at the start of the season.

Huddersfield Town appear in front of the Sky TV cameras tomorrow looking to maintain their automatic promotion bid.

Although runaway leaders Brighton look impossible to catch, the Terriers – who are unbeaten in the league in 2011 – will see tomorrow’s game as a definite chance of three points in their quest to finish second.

Visitors Notts County have picked up only seven points from a possible 30 away to teams in the top half of the table and look ripe for the taking at 4-5.

It is hard to believe we made Bradford City 7-1 antepost favourites for League Two as the Bantams have endured a shocking season once more.

In fact, today’s visitors Shrewsbury are looking at securing an automatic promotion spot themselves despite hitting a sticky patch.

The League Two promotion race has been the most open of all the leagues and any team in the top half still harbours hopes.

Despite their lowly position, Bradford have still won nine times at Valley Parade and with better recent form than the visitors they can finally give the home crowd something to cheer at 7-4.

Weekend’s best bets

Wales +2 v England ½.

Both teams to score in Wales v England match 6-5.

Under 2.5 goals in Republic of Ireland v Macedonia 4-6.

Draw at half-time in Brazil v Scotland and then Brazil to win at full-time 3-1.

Bradford City to beat Shrewsbury 7-4.

York to beat Histon 2-5.