Wednesday 16 October 2013 21:49, UK
England head coach Roy Hodgson has not ruled out England winning the World Cup but admits his side will face a tough test if they are to claim international football's ultimate prize.
Hodgson will name his final squad in May, and he admits he is going to have some tough decisions. "I hope I have a tough job in May. It would be nice not to be chasing around trying to fill the quota. It would be nice to have the problem of who on earth can I leave out because I've got too many," he said. England are 22/1 outsiders to win in Brazil - eighth in the pecking order, with the host nation the 100/30 favourites ahead of 5/1 trio Germany, Argentina and Spain. Belgium (14/1), Italy (16/1) and Holland (20/1) are all priced shorter than England, who have now qualified for five consecutive World Cups. Sky Bet football trader Chris Spicer said: "We are currently top price at 22/1 about England winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil ahead of the draw on December 6th, where they are expected to be among the second seeds." He added: "Now that qualification is assured the focus will be on who will make Hodgson's final 23-man squad for the tournament. "Andros Townsend was 12/5 to be on the plane after being named in the latest squad but having impressed in his first two caps he's now deemed likely to go at 8/15. "Others are either on the verge of breaking through, such as Raheem Sterling who is 7/2 to make the squad, or a veteran like Jermain Defoe (3/1) who will be hoping experience can win him a spot."
