International betting preview

Last updated : 05 September 2009 By Dan Buxton
The Premier League takes a break this weekend and most of the squad get a rest. Four players are currently wih their international sides as Glenn Whelan, Liam Lawrence, Tuncay and Thomas Sorenson all look towards the World Cup.

 Whelan is one of Trappatoni's favourite Ireland players and looks certain to start in cental midfielder against Cyprus. The Irishman has made a good start to this season, winning StokeMAD's man of the match award versus Sunderland, and has gone close to scoring on numerous occasions so the 33/1 odds offered by StanJames seem very big.

 Lawrence will probably be forced to wait for his chance off the bench, but the winger is still, like Whelan, looking for his first international goal and will be chomping at the bit to net it should he get on. Ireland were beaten 5-2 on their last visit to Cyprus in one of the worst footballing nights in the nations history. They will be hoping to fair better this time round as they close in on the play offs. Lawrence is 14/1 with SkyBet, Ladbrokes and Corel to open the scoring.

 Tuncay's Turkey have struggled so far racking up only 8 points from their opening six qualifiers, and a win at home to Estonia is vital before the big showdown in Bosnia in midweek. No odds are being offered on a first goalscorer but if you think Turkey, as expected, run out easy winners then 3-0 is 13/2 with BetFred. If you think a minor blip might see Estonia grab a consolation then 3-1 is at 12's with SkyBet, Ladbrokes and Coral.

 Thomas Sorenson is suspended for his nations massive game with Portugal and a victory would put Denmark on the verge of qualification. Bet365 and Boyles both offer odds of 23/10 that the Danes emerge victorious. Sorro may not be in goal but if you still fancy the hosts to keep a clean sheet, PaddyPower offer 13/5 on that.

England will be warming up for the midweek clash woth Croatia by entertaining Slovenia at Wembley. It is expected to be a comfortable victory for the Three Lions and 4-0 is 9/1 at most bookies whilst 5-0 is 20's with SkyBet. Jermaine Defoe has been in great goalscoring form this season and is 5/1 with Coral to open the scoring whilst Tottenham teammate Aaron Lennon can be backed at 14's with SkyBet, Ladbrokes and Coral