The long wait is almost over

Those, like us, who like a punt on sports other than horse racing will have been counting the days down to the soccer season.

Unless you are Scandinavian, or know something about those teams that are, you'll have had to content yourself with tennis and MLB over the past few months, other than for a few Formula One options. When the soccer season arrives though, once again we are spoilt for available markets.

Before the Premier League kicks off however we have the big friendly tomorrow night between Holland and England. Both sides have impressed throughout their World Cup qualifying campaigns and Holland are already guaranteed a place in the finals in South Africa next year, while England still have to clock up one or two points to quash the remaining technical possibility of an upset.

Seeing as both sides can't win, it's going to be an entertaining game notwithstanding the fact that there is nothing at stake. Fabio Capello will want to build upon the fine reputation he has already established with long-suffering England fans. Unfortunately he's going to have to do it without Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, who pulled out earlier today with an injury. Aston Villa's Ashley Young steps in.

On the markets Pinnacle, not unusually, are currently offering top odds for both a Holland victory - 2.44 (36/25) - and the draw 3.30 (23/10). Eurobet are also showing 3.30 on the spoils being divided.

The most attractive price for an England win seems to be 3.20 (11/5), offered by Bet365.

Other markets available are 2.33 (133/100) at 10Bet for more than 2.5 goals to be scored in the match, or if you believe it will be tighter than that both Betsson and Unibet go the other way at 1.65 (13/20). Among the favourites to score first are Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (8.00 or 7/1 at Ladbrokes), Robin van Persie (also 8.00 or 7/1 at Ladbrokes), Wayne Rooney (9.00 or 8/1 at Blue Square) and Jermain Defoe (9.00 or 8/1 at Blue Square or Ladbrokes).

Punters reckon the most likely score is a 1-1 draw (7.00 or 6/1 at Blue Square) but for those who fancy a more adventurous punt Bet365 will pay 401.0 (400/1) for a Dutch 6-1 victory, whilst Unibet offer 476.0 (475/1) for it to finish 5-3 to England.