Three Lions into fourth favourites

Like the heatwave gripping the country, World Cup fever is not far behind – and the Bookmakers have been forced to make them fourth favourites having slashed their odds in the last week.

Gareth Southgate’s men were just about in the top-ten pre-tournament, but taking maximum points in their opening two games against Panama and Tunisia, and already securing their place in the last 16 – the public are getting behind them.

England are now just 8/1, having been double that before a ball was kicked in Russia.

“Industry wide Bookmakers are suggesting up to a quarter of all bets at the moment are going on England, Gareth Southgate has got his side going but also the country,” said OddsMonkey spokesman Peter Watton.

“Now the Bookmakers only have Spain, Brazil and Belgium ahead of England.

“England began this tournament at 16/1 generally, but that has soon come in – and if they beat Belgium in the next game, they will likely be third favourites ahead Roberto Martinez’s side.

Selected World Cup odds:
Spain 9/2
Brazil 5/1
Belgium 13/2
England 7/1
France 8/1
Croatia 14/1
Portugal 18/1
Argentina 20/1
Croatia 20/1
Uruguay 25/1