England's World Cup may already be on the rocks but it's more than just their hopes riding on Friday's crunch match.
Divorce lawyers are in for a busy period with many couples ready to call full-time on their failing relationships with a nation's hopes dwindling after a disappointing start by Fabio Capello's men.
Experts say that surges in the number of divorces usually come after the Christmas holiday, but this year expect a peak in mid to late July following England's performance in the World Cup.
And David Pickering, divorce partner at leading law firm DWF, says that on the back of football tournaments the number of people showing their partners the red card increases dramatically.
He said: "While the World Cup might not cause a relationship to break down, our experience is that it could bring troubled relationships to an end.
"Football fans become glued to their TVs and they become oblivious to everything going on around them."
"A partner with no interest in football may retaliate with some retail therapy using the credit card which in itself causes friction."
Police on Merseyside are worried about the increased levels of domestic abuse during previous tournaments, reporting double the number of incidents of domestic abuse in the 2006 World Cup compared to the same period the following year.
Of the 604 offences in 2006, 276 involved alcohol compared to 307 incidents in 2007, with 136 of those involving alcohol.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "Statistics reveal that domestic abuse increases around the time of high profile sporting events.
"This is often linked with the amount of alcohol consumed during such matches, either in the home or at pubs.
"We are appealing to people to drink sensibly throughout the tournament so everyone can have a safe and happy World Cup."
And Councillor Ann O’Byrne, Liverpool’s cabinet member for community safety from Liverpool City Council has said that domestic abuse will be a big problem during the tournament and they would do all they could to help victims.
She said: "We want to raise awareness of the impact of domestic violence at this time because we know it is going to be a real issue over the next few weeks.
"We are intending that it will make men who abuse their partners acknowledge the impact of their behaviour, and get help to stop the misery and damage that they are causing."
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