FRIENDLY SATURDAY: The Ultra previews ENGLAND v BRAZIL on Saturday with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
ENGLAND V BRAZIL
7pm The International Friendly action continues on BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE with England hosting Brazil on Saturday. This is an odd little run in the football calendar; we have the Euro 2024 playoffs but because there’s no competitive action for most International sides we are back to having “glamour friendlies” as they call them! Most young England fans and families will be delighted to see Brazil up close but the reality is most football fans lost interest in International breaks before the Nations League added context.
I was slightly surprised to see the odds here when I clicked into the market – I wasn’t expecting England to be such big favourites. England are trading 2.06 with Brazil 4.0 and the draw is 3.65 at the time of writing. With a massive title race ongoing in the Premier League, it was always likely that we were going to see some drop outs from the England squad. Gary Neville called it a few weeks ago – sure enough Bukayo Saka pulled out in the run up to this fixture. Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Grealish are all out, but that has given Southgate a chance to spend time with the likes of young Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo.
The Brazil squad has also suffered from injury pull-outs. I saw a headline from Sky Sports saying “look away fans” but the reality is most football fans know these “injuries” are only a way of getting out of games like this. Nevertheless, Brazil are without the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ederson, Marquinho, Casemiro and Alisson Becker. Perhaps that explains the short England price, but even then I expected a more open market. I know England have home advantage, but I’d expect a closer game than the odds suggest here.
International friendlies are definitely games for low stakes; but from a value point of view it’s hard to get away from the England lay at 2.06. Brazil went into the World Cup as favourites, and while they flopped they are still one of the best sides in the world. The reality is you’re always guessing with team news and motivation levels in friendly fixtures, but I’m happy with the England lay. I just expect a closer game than the odds suggest.
The Ultra Says:
One point lay (liability) England to beat Brazil at 2.06 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/EngBra
