World Cup 2010: England v Germany First Goalscorer Betting Preview

BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA - England needed a goal or two against Slovenia to avoid a humiliating group stage exit, and the nation turned towards Wayne Rooney in their hour of need. However it was Spurs striker Jermain Defoe who came up with the goods in the 23rd minute to set up a mouth-watering clash with the Germans in the last 16.

Bet 365 are expecting coach Fabio Capello to stick with the same starting XI against Germany at odds of 2/5, which would give Jermain Defoe yet another chance to enhance his reputation as a top class international. Defoe is 8/1 with Sky Bet to score the first goal of the match in Bloemfontein, although bookmakers across the country continue to rate Wayne Rooney as England`s principal goalscoring threat.

Rooney is Ladbrokes` 11/2 favourite to net the first goal, but that price may come under pressure when punters wake up to the enormity of the clash on Sunday morning. The Manchester United star will need to score soon to answer his critics, as he has still yet to break his World Cup duck. Rooney is 15/8 with Extrabet to score anytime in the 90 minutes, but Defoe looks a safer pick at 3/1 to take advantage of the sluggish German central defence.

Winger James Milner is more likely to get an assist than he is to score a goal, but he is a 22/1 chance with Paddy Power. If Steven Gerrard is played on the left hand side of midfield again, than his chances of scoring first will suffer, despite the current 10/1 quote from Stan James.

One interesting runner in the market is Frank Lampard, who takes penalties and is a tasty 9/1 with William Hill. Lampard has been making driving runs down the middle of the park, and it is a bonus for punters that he has the ability to score from distance.

The most likely English defender to score first is John Terry, 25/1 with Victor Chandler. The Chelsea captain is often seen foraging around in the opponent`s box during set-pieces.

Miroslav Klose had an iffy season with Bayern, but he bounced back with a goal against Australia. He is 7/1 with Boylesports to break English hearts by scoring an early goal.

Lukas Podolski is a decent price at 8/1 with Bet Internet to score first, but his confidence may have taken a battering after he missed a penalty against Serbia.

Football bettors looking for bigger odds may turn to Mezt Oezil at 14/1, who was voted man of the match against Ghana. Bastian Schweinsteiger has scored 21 goals for Germany and is 18/1 with Blue Square. Finally Philipp Lahm is a tempting wager at 40/1 with Ladbrokes.

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