England set to face Brazil in 2013

England will play Brazil and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley next year as part of the Football Association’s 150th anniversary celebrations (England 20/1 – World Cup 2012 outright with bet365).

The Samba boys will be in London for a friendly on February 6, with the Three Lions then embarking on a short tour of Brazil at the end of the season.

Prior to their departure, England will entertain the Republic of Ireland when Giovanni Trapattoni brings his side across the Irish Sea for a match on May 29.

The England vs Republic of Ireland fixture will mark 17 years since the nations last met in an ill-fated game in Dublin which was abandoned because of crowd trouble.

Brazil will host the World Cup in 2014 and so England will be hoping next summer’s trip is repeated a year later, with players like captain Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and John Terry possibly set to play their final international tournament – should the Three Lions qualify for the showpiece.

England boss Roy Hodgson has guided the side to an unbeaten start to their qualification campaign after last week’s hammering of Moldova was backed up by a 1-1 draw against Ukraine at Wembley on Tuesday night.

Hodgson’s men are next in competitive action on October 12 against San Marino ahead of a trip to Poland on October 16.
Brazil are the current 3/1 favourites to win the next World Cup as they look for their sixth crown.