There’s been plenty of speculation around England’s first choice goalkeeper ahead of the World Cup, but we’re saying there is one clear favourite to start in net for the Three Lions.
Jordan Pickford is currently odds-on at 1/2 – that’s about a 70% chance – to be first name on the team sheet for the Three Lions’ opening game against Tunisia.
We’ve taken six times the amount of bets on the Everton goalie starting the game than on Jack Butland (7/4) or Nick Pope (7/1).
And, with England having lost six of seven competitive tournament shootouts, it’s rated 7/2 that they will lose another in Russia.
England’s coach Gareth Southgate (L) speaks with Belgium’s coach Roberto Martinez at the end of the 2018 FIFA World Cup football tournament final draw at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow on December 1, 2017.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup will be held between June 14 and July 15, 2018 in 11 Russian cities. / AFP PHOTO / Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images)
Pickford has already said he would be willing to take a penalty for his country, should the opportunity arise, and is 16/1 to do so.
When asked, our spokesman Paddy Power said: “There are a few certainties in life. Death, taxes, and England losing a penalty shootout. It can’t be easy for any Three Lions goalie to step up to the plate.
“But, Pickford seems like he’s up for it, and our punters have been weighing in on him to start their first game of the tournament.”
ENGLAND GOALKEEPER SPECIALS
TO START V TUNISIA
1/2 Jordan Pickford
7/4 Jack Butland
7/1 Nick Pope
TO WIN A PENALTY SHOOTOUT
7/2 To lose a shootout during the tournament
5/1 To win a shootout during the tournament
16/1 An England goalkeeper to take a penalty during the tournament
For all of our World Cup odds, get over to PaddyPower.com
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