ISRAEL V ENGLAND ? IGNORE THE PATRIOTIC PUNT?

England are in desperate need of a win going into their Euro 2008 qualification game against Israel this weekend, but should we be having a patriotic punt on the boys at bet365's 5/6?

Well, first the good news. Wayne Rooney (9/2 first goalscorer with bet365) is fully fit and Owen Hargreaves (5/1 to score anytime) is ready for his first competitive game under the new boss. Both missed the defeat against Spain the last time England played so, with them back in the side, England certainly have the capability to take all three points.

However, given England's poor results recently, there are surely better bets elsewhere, and their opponents should not be under-estimated. Israel impressed during World Cup qualification, in which they went unbeaten and only missed out on the finals on goal difference, and they would be on a 14-match unbeaten run but for an unfortunate 3-4 home loss to Croatia back in November. The Israeli defence looked all at sea that day, but the Croatians are full of goals - 15 in their last four games ? and that certainly can't be said of England right now. In fact, you could make a strong case for a home win at 7/2, but we'll settle for the draw at a tasty 9/4 with bet365.

With an England win heavily favoured in the bet365 correct score market, there's some terrific value here too. The Israelis have several attacking players in their line-up, so you can virtually count on them creating chances against England - they've blanked only once in their last 19 games ? so the 11/2 on offer for a 1-1 stalemate represents value, but a 2-2 draw at 14/1 is no forlorn hope either.

Even better, as this game is one of bet365's 'Big Matches' this weekend, you could even be placing your correct score bets for free. Have a winning correct score bet in the preceding 'Big Match', Republic of Ireland v Wales (kick off 3.00pm), and bet365 will give you a free bet to the same stake on the England game. If this is a winner too, have another free bet, and so on. The match kicks off at 6.30pm UK time and bet365 will be betting in-play throughout on up to 30 markets.