The Hand Of God Survey

81% Of Fans Predict England Will Beat Argentina This Saturday.

An in depth report into one of the classic contests in world football, two World Cup winning nations and one of the most talked about international pairings on the planet. A game that has arguably become the biggest and possibly the only truly serious intercontinental rivalry in world football.

London 10th November 2005 … A survey of over 1,100 English football fans predicts that England will beat Argentina in Saturday’s ‘friendly’ in Geneva, the first time the sides have met since England’s win at 2002 World Cup with Beckham’s famous penalty. 81% say England will win, 17% Argentina will win, while only 2% say it will be a draw.

The confidence amongst England fans stretches even further with over 65% stating they would like England to play Argentina at the 2006 World Cup Finals – 33% saying it would be a dream final.

The Cantor Spreadfair Hand Of God Survey run through the football research expert – The Football Fans Census – found that the so called ‘friendly’ is likely to be as fiery as all the previous encounters with over 30% of respondents predicting more than 5 yellow cards and 18% predicting a sending off. Wayne Rooney is the most likely sending off (29%), followed by David Beckham (13%).

Cantor Spreadfair, the sports spread betting exchange, Head Of Marketing Gavin Grimes, says: “We are predicting around 2 yellow cards in this game based on our customer bets. The survey, however, shows that a massive 85% of England fans think there will be 3 or more yellow cards and 62% saying 4 or more yellow cards – proving the intense rivalry that exists around this great international match.”

The most likely first goal scorer for England will be: Michael Owen with 32% of the vote; followed by Wayne Rooney with 27%; and Frank Lampard with 24%. For Argentina, the most likely first goal scorer is: Hernan Crespo with 47%; Carlos Tevez with 9%; and Juan Roman Riquelme and Javier Saviola both with 6%.

According to the Survey the best goal ever scored in an England v Argentina match was Michael Owen’s at France ’98, which received 42% of the vote; followed closely by Maradona’s 1986 second goal with 40%, where he took on half the England team before beating Peter Shilton.

33% say that the greatest England v Argentina match ever played was the 1998 World Cup Finals 2- 2 draw; followed by 25% voting for England’s win in Korea in 2002; 21% saying the 1986 Mexico ‘Hand Of God’ game; and 14% naming the 1966 Wembley quarter final, which England won 1- 0.

The most memorable non-goal incidents include: David Beckham being sent off for kicking out at Simeone in France 98; and Antonio Rattin refusing to leave the pitch after being sent off in 1966.

Over 70% of England fans have respect for Argentina as a footballing nation: 23% having great respect; 25% a lot of respect; and 25% having some respect. Only 4% have no respect at all – saying they are a totally over rated footballing nation.

Fans can put their money where their mouth is on Cantor Spreadfair, the world’s first spread betting exchange, and spread bet on red and yellow cards, time of first goal, player performance and much more.

Current prices are available at www.cantorspreadfair.com.

Download full press release and detailed results and findings at http://www.footballfanscensus.com/handofgod.html: