England backed off the boards

And they reckon it could end up costing the industry millions if they put the Eastern Europeans to the sword. Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchison said: "We feared we'd lose revenue if England didn't make it to Austria and Switzerland but there's an old phrase about being careful what you wish for. Having been on the verge of despair before Saturday night's game in Tel Aviv, England punters are as confident as ever and are keen to take us to the cleaners."

England are 1.50 (1/2) for victory, with the draw priced at 3.25 (9/4) and the visitors available at 7.00 (6/1). They are 1.62 (8/13) to keep a clean sheet and 2.63 (13/8) with Ladbrokes to top the group.

Ladbrokes go 7.00 (6/1) about David Beckham scoring one of his trademark free-kicks and he is now as short as 1.04 (1/25) to reach his goal of 100 caps for his country.

Totesport is offering even money that it will be the England midfield that gets their first goal against Croatia on Wednesday night. With Peter Crouch expecting to play up front on his own the firm is offering 3.50 (5/2) that a striker scores first.

Paul Petrie, totesport spokesman commented, " With England likely to play with five across the midfield they will be looking for those picked to also supply a goal threat and with the likes of Gerrard and Lampard that should certainly be the case."

Meanwhile the firm is offering 5.00 (4/1) that England will give their fans a rocky ride by needing to come from behind at anytime throughout the game to qualify.

Petrie added, "England needed to come from behind in that famous game against Greece and I am sure England fans would rather they didn't have to sit through a similar situation."