England fringe players and Irish have bigger fish to fry, so back draw

All of the last four encounters between British Isles sides England and the Republic of Ireland have ended in 1-1 draws. As both sides face key Euro 2016 qualifiers following this fixture, Coral make another share of the spoils an 11/5 chance and that precise scoreline again 11/2.

Roy Hodgson’s intentions appear clear based on the roster he has chosen; an experimental Three Lions starting XI should take to the field in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, so key players can concentrate on the subsequent competitive trip to Slovenia.

England are nonetheless 11/10 favourites for victory, despite having their post-World Cup run of seven straight victories ended when held by Italy in Turin last time out. What the new faces included by Hodgson have here is an opportunity to force their way into his thinking.

Chief among those is QPR’s leading marksman Charlie Austin. Only Harry Kane, on Under-21 duty, scored more goals in the Premier League than this rags to riches story last term and can call himself English.

Austin is superb value at 7/4 to net on a potential international debut, while fellow relegation battler Jamie Vardy is a 6/1 shot to score last after his grafting exploits for Leicester City.

Theo Walcott will want to press his claims now that he is back to his best in Arsenal shirt following serious injury. He has four in his last two appearances, and that is reflected in anytime odds of 6/4. Ross Barkley (5/1 in that market) and late call-up Tom Cleverley may get runs out here too.