Uruguay v England: Five reasons to have that patriotic punt on the Three Lions

A pumped up Daniel Sturridge can shoot England to a Group D win on Thursday

It's do-or-die for England and Joe Dyer is firmly in the 'do' camp. Here's why...

Daniel Sturridge Wants This... BAD!
The Liverpool hotshot has brought his club form to the national setup with three goals in his last four outings including the equaliser against Italy and he's pumped for the World Cup. In fact, it's hard to recall a more genuinely passionate quote from an England player than this gem from Sturridge on Monday. "I'm prepared to do anything to win this next game. It's do or die. It's a World Cup. I'm hungry, I'm confident, and I'm so happy to go out there."

Recommended Bet
Sturridge is 3.185/40 to score against Uruguay - would you bet against him when he's in this mood? 

Uruguay's Terrible Defence
Sturridge's price to score begins to look quite generous when you take a look at the record of Uruguay's back four. Conceding three to Costa Rica was bad but maybe we should have seen it coming - Los Charras let in 25 goals across 16 CONMEBOL qualification matches. They will of course line up against England without first choice right back Maxi Pereira after he was sent off in the opening fixture.  

The Three Lions boast a capable attack which threatened throughout against Italy and they should certainly get on the mark on Thursday. An Opta stat underlines that - England have scored in each of their last eight World Cup encounters with South American sides.

Recommended Bet
England are 2.226/5 to score two goals or more 

Uruguay's Indiscipline
If England are competitive and have found the back of the net they will pressurise Uruguay - and the south Americans don't like that. This is one of the worst behaved teams in world football and there's every chance that we'll see plenty of cards, and possibly another sending off. Two Opta stats back that up - Uruguay have been shown more cards so far than any other side in the 2014 edition of the World Cup (3 yellow, 1 red), and have picked up a red card in two of their last four games at the World Cup.

Recommended Bet
You'll get nearly even money backing 45pts and over in the Bookings Odds market (10pts for a yellow, 25pts for a red) 

England (nearly) Always Qualify
You have to go all the way back to 1958 to find the last time England failed to make it out of the group stages. That's a full 10 tournaments where the Three Lions have reached the knockout stages. Never mind the fact that we lost our first game, we are actually better than most at this World Cup lark. And, despite finishing fourth in South Africa, that is not the case for Thursday's opponents in the modern era who last tumbled out at the group stage in 2002, having failed to qualify for 2006 (and 1998 and 1994 for that matter). 

Recommended Bet
England are currently evens to qualify from Group D

England Are Better Than Uruguay!
England were good against Italy. Uruguay were poor against Costa Rica. That's a simple point to make but it's hard to argue with and the Three Lions are rightfully favourites to win this at 2.26/5.  England recorded their highest ever World Cup pass completion rate (91%) in the opening match vs Italy (1966-2014), which is a highly encouraging stat. In contrast Uruguay's leaky backline has now conceded three goals in each of their last three games at the World Cup.
All together now - we can do this! 

Recommended Bet
England are 2.226/5 to beat Uruguay