Gambling Enthusiasm Predicted For Next England Game

Sports betting on England had been down in the build-up to the Croatia game, but it could be set to increase.

Punters will be "licking their lips" at the chance to get gambling on the next England match, according to a spokesperson for Bet 365.

The betting representative has claimed that gambling levels surrounding England had dropped after the unsuccessful Steve McClaren reign, but the 4-1 victory over Croatia in last week's World Cup qualifier may prompt them to increase again.

"It used to be a case of an England victory being bad news for the bookmakers, but the patriotic punters, prior to the Croatia game, had lost a bit of faith in [manager Fabio] Capello and his side," said the spokesperson.

England's victory over Croatia in Zagreb marked Capello's second competitive game in charge. His team beat Andorra five days beforehand with two goals from Chelsea's Joe Cole.