Play the waiting game with England

Former pro turned bookie rep Dale Tempest has joined us again to preview Friday night's international football programme.

The former Fulham, Huddersfield and Colchester striker knows both sides of the betting fence - he's got his finger on the pulse of the markets as both a punter and a bookmaker. He is now Sky Bet's PR director - you may well have seen him on Sky Sports News or Racing UK.

In his weekly column, he's concentrating on some of the lesser-known markets and exploring the mindset of the bookies - this week he's got some advice for betting on the internationals which are few and far between and brings you his best bets.

When it comes to international football, I have an unwritten rule - which I regularly break! - that if I can't name four or five players in both teams, I shouldn't be having a bet on the game

When it comes to lower-league football people have a tendency to look for whoever's at home around 1/2 and put them in their accumulator even if they know nothing about them.

In reality you need to know the players involved if you are to bet properly. International weekend is a good week to catch up with what's going on in the lower leagues rather than investing too heavily.

Of course, with a number of the home internationals playing, there are some games worth looking at, so that's what I'll do.

First goal in San Marino v England to come after 21 minutes or later at 11/10

I'll start by breaking my rule and looking at San Mairno v England.

The perception is that when a cricket score is being predicted there will be goal after goal after goal throughout the match. In reality, it's often the case that the semi-pros can compete for 15, 20, 30 minutes before physically tiring as the game wears on.

San Marino managed to hold out until the 35th minute at Wembley the last time these two played and so odds-against about the first goal coming after 21 minutes or later looks a decent bet.

England won't be in a rush to get the first goal and they may even be fielding a reserve side because of Tuesday's looming clash with their main group rivals, Montenegro.

Steven Fletcher to score the first goal in Scotland v Wales at 9/2

I don't usually get involved in the goalscorer markets in internationals but every now and again something stands out and that's the case in the Scotland v Wales game.

Steven Fletcher looks a big price at 9/2. He's by far the most likely Scottish scorer, particularly if he's up front on his own.

There's still a doubt over Gareth Bale and he takes up such a big part of the book. If he doesn't play - and we probably won't know until very close to kick-off - Fletcher will go off at 7/2 or maybe even 3/1.

This is a case of a bet that look worthy getting on early.

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