6-1 Gerrard can break deadlock

ENGLAND will have one foot in next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa should they overcome Ukraine at Wembley tonight.

Although, due to injuries among other personnel, it is likely that a half-fit Peter Crouch will be forced to partner Wayne Rooney up front, England are on such a role under the disciplined management of Fabio Capello that they should justify victory odds of 4-9.

With Crouch struggling and Rooney likely to face an increased work load, I like the look of Steven Gerrard to be first goal scorer at 6-1.

Given licence to get forward as he does for Liverpool, Gerrard is a nightmare for defenders to pick up and I can see him bursting into the Ukraine penalty box before delivering a trademark finish.

OUR cricketers finally produced a meaningful performance to beat the Windies on Sunday, so Friday’s fifth ODI in St Lucia is a series decider.

I can’t help feeling that we have been rather gifted both our victories in this series (two Jack Duckworth methods swinging matters our way), but in their current situation England will accept any help they can get.

There is precious little between the two teams, but the Windies seem to be more tuned in to one-day disciplines than our lads, so they have to be the choice to make it 3-2 at odds of 10-11.

As for England’s leading run scorer, the ever-reliable Paul Collingwood seems overpriced at 7-1.

JENSON Button’s win in Melbourne last weekend has seen his odds for F1 world title glory slashed to 3-1.

England also provides the joint second-favourite in Lewis Hamilton (6-1), a price he shares with Kimi Raikkonen.

Then it’s 7-1 Felipe Massa and Rubens Barrichello, 9-1 Robert Kubica and a generous-looking 10s for Fernando Alonso.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Steven Gerrard to score first goal against Ukraine, 6-1 (Betfred, Stan James); West Indies to win fifth ODI, 10-11 (Sporting Bet,); Paul Collingwood to be top England batsman in fifth ODI, 7-1 (Stan James, Ladbrokes).