Could Butland Cause Joe World Cup Hart-ache?
Englands young cubs are 7/5 slight favourites to defeat Italy (2/1) on Wednesday night and the draw 11/5. Andy Carroll and Jermain Defoe are the only recognised strikers in the England squad yet neither are considered first choice at their club sides and are 13/8 (Defoe) and 5/6 (Carroll) to have left their clubs by the time the transfer window shuts. The Spurs striker is 1/7 to start Spurs opening game of the season although Andy Carroll is 4/1 to do so.
Jack Butland looks primed to make his debut in goal for England and William Hill offer 3/1 that he starts between the sticks for Englands first World Cup game in Brazil although Joe Hart is the 4/9 favourite.
Butland looks likely to become the youngest ever goalkeeper capped by England and should he progress as is expected, he could well be pressing Joe Hart for the number one shirt, said Hills spokesman Joe Crilly.
Match betting: 7/5 England; 2/1 Italy; 11/5 Draw
First scorer (England): 13/2 Andy Carroll; 7/1 Jermain Defoe; 8/1 Ashley Young; 9/1 Theo Walcott; 11/1 BAR
First scorer (Italy): 6/1 Diego Fabrini; 13/2 Mattia Destro; 15/2 Alessandro Diamanti; 8/1 Stephan El Shaarawy; 9/1 Manolo Gabbidini; 10/1 BAR
Who will start in goal for England in first WC match in Rio 2014: 4/9 Joe Hart; 3/1 Jack Butland; 11/2 Any other; 7/1 John Ruddy
*Bets void if England do not qualify for tournament
Defoe to start vs Newcastle: 1/7 yes; 11/4 no
Andy Carroll to start vs West Brom: 4/1 yes; 1/7 no
Defoe to still be at Spurs as the transfer window closes: 4/9 yes; 13/8 no
*loan deals count
Carroll to still be at Liverpool as the transfer window closes: 5/6 yes; 5/6 no
*loan deals count
To make the England World Cup squad:
7/4 Michael Carrick (2/5 no)
2/5 Jack Butland (7/4 no)
5/6 John Ruddy (5/6 no)
1/4 Kyle Walker (11/4 no)
13/8 Steven Caulker (4/9 no)
6/4 Ryan Bertrand (1/2 no)
1/1 Jack Rodwell (8/11 no)
5/1 Jake Livermore (1/9 no)
8/13 Tom Cleverley (6/5 no)
Joe Crilly
Press Officer
Twitter: @footy_joe
T: 0208 918 3746
M: 07850 518 164
E: jcrilly@williamhill.co.uk