England travel to Sweden for a meaningless mid-season friendly to open Sweden's new Swedbank Arena in a game that has failed to capture the public's imagination so spectacularly that I genuinely didn't know it was taking place until my editor emailed me on Sunday night asking me to cover it.

Sweden start as favourites at a best price of 13/8 with BetFred, whereas Hodgson's England can be backed at 2/1 with BoyleSports. The inevitable draw is available at 23/10, also with BetFred.

So after learning at fairly short notice that I was covering an England match, I set about learning who was playing for England, which is where the first problem has set in – at time of writing on Monday, I genuinely have absolutely no idea who will take the field on Wednesday night – we have had an absolute raft of withdrawals and replacements so far, with Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott, Jonjo Shelvey, Kyle Walker and Aaron Lennon the latest five to withdraw, with Wifred Zaha & Tom Huddlestone the replacements. Jack Wilshire, currently in the squad, although there's plenty of time for that to change, will be delighted with Zaha's inclusion and will be looking to hand over the 'England's saviour' millstone that he's been carrying around for the last 18 months to him as soon as possible.

The first problem that England have should be blindingly apparent – we have absolutely nobody to score any goals for us. Gerrard will have a fitness test before he takes to the field against Sweden, and if he misses out, England's top goal scorer will be… …Ashley Young. On six. With Rooney & Walcott's withdrawal, we are left with Sturridge and Welbeck as our only two recognised forwards, neither of which is in any sort of form at the moment, and playing in Hodgson's England which is setup to be resilient first, and attacking second. Jermaine Defoe has scored 10 goals already this season, since you asked…

So England are unlikely to score many, but are also unlikely to concede many either.  Under 2.5 goals looks like the bet of the day, but it’s only available at 7/10, so maybe save that for the accumulators. Everything about this game suggests that it’s going to end in a draw, probably a 1-1 draw. Now you can back the draw at 23/10 if you want, but William Hill are offering a market that you can exploit. They offer a market which is ‘come from behind to draw’, and are offering 15/2 on BOTH teams. This means that if you dutch the result (i.e. back both outcomes) you are getting odds of nearly 4/1 on any draw that is not goalless. We’ll have some of that. We’ll also have the correct score of 1-1 at 11/2 with BetVictor as well.

In terms of who is going to score any goals that we see today, if you’re backing England you’re faced with the galling thought of having to back Welbeck as first goalscorer. He’s 15/2 to open the scoring, but instead of backing him, why not try someone slightly more left field – Leighton Baines will continue as left back, and is a demon set piece taker – he may even get Penalty taking duty if Gerrard fails his fitness test. Baines is a whopping 28/1 with Bet365, and having him as first goalscorer might instil some excitement into what promises to be a dull game…

Sweden vs England Betting Tips

To come from behind and draw – back both Sweden AND England @ 15/2 (William Hill) – sign up and get £25 free

Correct Score – 1-1 @ 11/2 (Bet Victor) – sign up and get £25 free

Baines first goal @ 28/1 (Bet365) – sign up and get £50 free

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