Tag Archives: hope

Hope for England in opener

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Injury-hit England go into Euro 2012 with reduced expectations but will still be under the microscope when they face France in their Group D opener in Donetsk on Monday (England 2/1, Draw 11/5, France 6/4).

Regardless of the lack of expectation around the country before the tournament, England will still be criticised if they fail to make the last eight, something new boss Roy Hodgson is fully aware of.

Hodgson, who led England to consecutive 1-0 victories in his first two games in charge, was quoted as saying “it could be the most terrific three weeks or the most torrid of my career” ahead of Monday’s clash at the Donbass Arena.

Much of England’s build up has been overshadowed by the Rio Ferdinand saga. The Manchester United defender’s omission from the squad has received plenty of media coverage, with many experts miffed by the decision.

Hodgson has defended his call, saying he has plenty of options in central defence and would not take Ferdinand to Poland and Ukraine to be a bit-part player.

The show must go on without the 33-year-old, as well as the likes of Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry. Wayne Rooney will, of course, miss the first two games as well, leaving Hodgson without a whole host of stars for the France clash.

The England chief will pin his attacking hopes on Ashley Young and captain Steven Gerrard, the man who got England’s 2010 World Cup campaign off to a flyer when he scored early on against USA although the match ended in a 1-1 draw (Euro 2012 outright 12/1).

Much has changed since the debacle in South Africa, with Young one of the most promising players to emerge in the past two years. He has hit five goals in his last seven games and will be England’s main attacking threat in the opener (First Goalscorer 8/1).

France go into the game unbeaten in 21 internationals but do have defensive frailties. Those weaknesses were on display during their final warm-up match against Estonia last week, despite their 4-0 victory.

Add to that France’s recent record in tournaments and England have a real chance. It has been a case of all or nothing for Les Bleus in recent years.

Since winning the World Cup and European Championship back-to-back in 1998 and 2000, France have failed to qualify from the group stage three times but reached the World Cup final in 2006 and the quarters at Euro 2004.

It is fair to say, however, France are a different proposition under Laurent Blanc. During their 21-game unbeaten run they have won 15, including victories over Brazil, Germany and England (Euro 2012 outright France 8/1).

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema are France’s main threats going forward but concentrate on those two at your peril.

Fans of the Premier League will be familiar with Samir Nasri and Yohan Cabaye, while 21-year-old Yann M’Vila, if fit, could be one of the stars of the tournament.

England will no doubt sit back and let France do all the running, hoping to hit Blanc’s men on the break. It is a dangerous tactic but one England need to employ in the opener if they are to get their tournament up and running with a win.

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Scotland to keep slim Euro hope alive

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craig leveinScotland face Liechtenstein in their penultimate qualifying game for Euro 2012 knowing they need a win to keep their slim chances of reaching the tournament still alive – if only for a few days.

Craig Levein’s side sit third in the Group I and two points behind the Czech Republic – who face Spain on Friday night – and know they need four points from their final two qualification matches to stand a chance of making the play-offs.

The Scottish boss knows they face Spain in their final game so is not thinking about that and instead concentrating on the task in hand, making sure they get the result they need against the international minnows of Liechtenstein.

It took a 97th-minute header from Stephen McManus to beat Saturday’s opponents at Hampden Park but Scotland (2/7 to win – Match Betting) should take some confidence from the fact they remain in contention to get a play-off spot thanks to a win over Lithuania last time out.

While Scotland are strong at Hampden Park, the same cannot be said of their performances on their travels as they have failed to win either of their two matches on the road so far, going down 1-0 to the Czechs and drawing 0-0 with Lithuania in Kaunas.

Given that it would take a big challenge for Scotland to beat Liechtenstein (9/1 to win , 9/2 draw – Match Betting) on Saturday and then go on to get the point they need away at Spain on October 11th, provided the Czechs have not already sewn up second place before the final game, albeit with an unlikely win over Spain and a Liechtenstein surprise.

The first thing to concentrate on for Scotland is beating Liechtenstein, and their hopes have received a big boost with the shock return of captain Darren Fletcher. The Manchester United man had been expected to miss the game through tonsillitis, but had been pencilled in to possibly face Spain.

However, the skipper is set to meet up with the squad at their training base in Switzerland and Levein admits he will play on Saturday “if the medical team gives him the thumbs up”.

More good news for Scotland is that striker Kenny Miller (3/1 First Goalscorer) is likely to play in Vaduz as he has recovered quicker than expected from a groin problem. The presence of those two players will be huge for Scotland as Fletcher controls the midfield and Miller is the one proven international goal scorer in the squad.

Craig Mackail-Smith, David Goodwillie and Steven Naismith are the other attacking options if he does not make it, but none of those trio are really proven on the international stage and Miller has shown over the years he can lead the line on his own and get goals – he scored one and set up the other against the Czechs at Hampden Park.

The trio of Alan Hutton, Graham Dorrans and Barry Robson have all returned to training and are likely to be named to face Liechtenstein as Levein seems set to name a strong line-up for this crucial clash.

For the hosts there are concerns over top goalscorer Mario Frick, while they are without midfielder Franz Burgmeier – who has experience of British football during a spell with English side Darlington – due to suspension.

Even the staunchest of Scotland fans are likely to be confident of getting a result on Saturday and they need goals to really boost the confidence ahead of a massive game with Spain. It is still a long shot for the Scots to make Euro 2012 but if they are to go out, they are sure to go out fighting.

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Bluebirds hope for flying start

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The Championship appears as if it could be the league to watch this season with a number of sides vying for promotion. Two of the more fancied sides face off on Sunday with West Ham (4/1 Championship outright) hosting Cardiff in what could be an explosive match.

After a hugely disappointing time last term which saw them relegated from the Premier League, the Hammers will be aiming to get off to a flying start as they look to return to the top-flight at the first attempt.

Many fans were disappointed in the manner in which the team went down, complaining that the side appeared as if they didn’t care about playing for the club. The majority blamed coach Avram Grant for their lack of motivation and the Israeli was relieved of his duties after the Irons were relegated in their penultimate fixture at Wigan.

Grant was replaced by former Bolton boss Sam Allardyce, who some fans believed should have been appointed last season following his sacking from Blackburn, and ‘Big Sam’ will make sure his players are fired up for their opening match of the season (West Ham 4/5 to beat Cardiff).

Supporters suggested the team lacked leadership throughout last season but Allardyce immediately addressed this problem by bringing in Kevin Nolan from another of his former sides, Newcastle. Nolan played under the manager at the Reebok and was immediately installed as skipper upon his arrival after being one of the stand-out players for Newcastle last term and he will be looking to make a major impact on his Upton Park debut.

Cardiff (4/1 to be promoted) will also have high hopes of promotion this season, though, after once again falling short in the play-offs last term. The Bluebirds have had a difficult summer and the club’s financial troubles have hampered their progress in the transfer market with a number of key players leaving on free transfers.

The Welsh side were taken over by a Malaysian consortium in May and the new owners appear to be keen to avoid repeating the mistakes of the previous regime at the Cardiff City stadium.

They have made a number of shrewd signings with former Rangers striker Kenny Miller (12/1 Championship top scorer) the stand-out name. Miller left Ibrox in January but had an unhappy time playing at Turkish side Bursaspor before returning to the UK. Now many are predicting he could be one of the stars of the season.

He is likely to be joined up front by Robert Earnshaw (9/4 to score anytime at Upton Park), who returns to the club he grew up at, and the duo could prove a potent combination this term as the club look to finally break into the Premier League.

The match has all the potential to be an opening-weekend classic with both sides looking to play open and entertaining football.

‘However, the pair of Miller and Earnshaw could expose the Hammers’ defensive frailties, meaning Malky Mackay’s side might just sneak the points to dampen the summer optimism currently pervading Upton Park.

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Hammers hope for quick PL return

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Rovers manager Sam AllardyceThe Championship is back with the new campaign starting on Friday night when Blackpool travel to Hull. The 2011/12 season looks like it could be one of the tightest in history and a number of sides will fancy their chances of making it to the promised land of the Premier League with recently-relegated West Ham (4/1 outright) among the favourites to return to the top flight.

The Hammers experienced a nightmare season last year. After a disappointing start to the campaign they never really looked like they had the mentality to stay in the Premier League.

The Upton Park side were constantly criticised for seemingly wasting their obvious talent and former boss Avram Grant was seen by many as the reason for their consistently flat performance.

However, Sam Allardyce in now in charge at the club and if there’s one thing ‘Big Sam’ knows how to do, it’s motivate his sides.

The former Bolton boss has also invested wisely bringing in the likes of Matt Taylor and Kevin Nolan and the squad is now arguably stronger than last term. He will be confident he can return the east London club back to the Premier League at the first attempt and not many would bet against him.

Leicester (9/2 outright) will be another club looking for promotion after a summer that has seen them spend heavily and bring in a number of established stars as they look to return to the top flight for the first time since 2004.

Sven-Goran Eriksson took over the side midway through last season and nearly took them to the play-offs after an appalling start. One Foxes player to look out for is one of Sven’s former starlets at Manchester City, Michael Johnson, who has signed on at the King Power stadium on-loan and will be looking to reinvigorate his career after a terrible run of injuries.

A fully-fit Johnson has the ability to play at the very top level and he’ll be looking at this season as a chance to gain first-team football and rebuild his reputation.

Nottingham Forest fans will be hoping their side can finally fulfil their potential after falling short in the play-offs for the last two seasons. Steve McClaren has been installed in charge at the City Ground and will be looking to succeed where predecessor Billy Davies failed and inspire his side to take the next step.

They’ll be looking to the likes of Dexter Blackstock (40/1 top scorer) to fire them to glory and this season could finally be their year to make a return to the top flight.

Finally one team who could be the surprise package of the season is newly-promoted Southampton, who will be hoping their young squad can take them back to the top flight for the first time since 2004. Saints have invested well during the summer and have managed to bring in influential midfielder Jack Cork from Chelsea.

However, their most important piece of transfer business was keeping young winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. He could be one of the stars of the season if he can hit the heights of last term.

Whatever happens, the Championship always provides excitement so strap yourself in and get ready for yet another rollercoaster season in the Football League.

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Blues hope to change fortunes

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Bet on the Premier LeagueCarlo Ancelotti will be praying Chelsea can turn their poor Premier League form around when they take on Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (Chelsea 3/10, draw 4/1, Blackburn 8/1).

The Blues have been in mid-table form over the last couple of months, having only won one game in their last nine outings in the top flight.

Chelsea have been boosted by the return of Frank Lampard, who believes that the team are suffering from a lack of confidence.

This mindset will have to change very soon before Premier League frontrunners Manchester United extend their lead over the Blues even further.

Blackburn will welcome the return of their prodigal son Roque Santa Cruz, who completed a loan move from Manchester City on Friday and he will be desperate to play after becoming a professional bench warmer at Eastlands this season.

If Blackburn can keep Chelsea out for the first half hour, they could frustrate the home supporters, which would make life pretty difficult for Ancelotti and his men.

With confidence low and Rovers being difficult to beat, this one could be a draw and this would mean more dropped points for Chelsea.

Fellow title challengers Manchester City can close the gap on United at the top of the table if they beat Wolves at Eastlands on Saturday (Dzeko 3/1 to score the first goal).

City welcome their new signing Edin Dzeko, who is likely to make his debut for his new club as Mario Balotelli is sidelined with a recurrent knee injury.

The Bosnian striker could partner Carlos Tevez up front in what is likely to be a very attacking line-up against a struggling Wolves side.

Mick McCarthy’s side have lost more games this season than any other club in the league and currently sit just above the relegation zone in 17th place.

Despite Wolves having won two of their last three games with shock victories over Liverpool at Anfield and Chelsea at Molineux, a win against an attacking City side will be extremely difficult to achieve and the home side should come out on top in this one.

Arsenal have had a difficult week by their standards. After scraping a 1-1 draw against Leeds United in the FA Cup, they went down 1-0 in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final against Ipswich Town in midweek.

Although they have found playing against Championship opposition heavy-going, they should come out on top against West Ham United at Upton Park on Saturday.

The Hammers have started to get some results in the Premier League and remain the only side to have beaten Manchester United this season, albeit in the Carling Cup.

Avram Grant’s side remain rock bottom of the Premier League table though and are likely to stay there for at least another week unless they can pull off a shock victory over the Gunners (West Ham 5/1, draw 14/5, Arsenal 8/15).

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United hope to increase gap

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Sir Alex Ferguson must not be able to believe his luck that Manchester United are at the top of the Premier League after the half way point of the season.

United have drawn eight of their 19 games so far this season, which has not been like them in the past. However in recent weeks the Red Devils have started to grind out the results that have won them Premier League titles in the recent years.

On Tuesday United welcome Stoke City who have not troubled them at Old Trafford since they gained promotion to the top flight (United 1/4, draw 4/1, Stoke 11/1).

The Potters were hammered 4-0 at the Theatre of Dreams last season but will be boosted by some injury doubts for United. Nani looks like he will sit out yet another game on the sideline with a hip injury but the main worry for Ferguson will be the possible absence of Wayne Rooney. The England striker picked up an ankle injury during United 2-1 away win against West Brom at the Hawthorns on New Year’s Day.

Although Rooney has clearly not been in his best form this season, he got a goal against the Baggies and will be desperate to get on the scoresheet against the Potters.

Stoke have crept up into eighth place in the Premier League and have had a strong start to their third season in the top flight. However they may not have come far enough to mount a serious challenge against United on Wednesday.

Former United star Mark Hughes is finding life difficult as manager of Fulham as the Cottagers sit in the relegation zone having been a top half table side for the last few seasons.

Fulham have a massive game against West Brom on Wednesday as they look to climb up the table (Fulham 6/5, draw 23/10 West Brom 23/10).

The West London side have struggled without their star striker Bobby Zamora this season but they could welcome back forward Moussa Dembele who has been out for the last seven weeks with an ankle injury.

After a thrashing by Chelsea on the opening day of the season West Brom got stronger and stronger throughout the first part of the season. However the Baggies have been on the end of some unlucky results and now find themselves just three points above the relegation zone.

They were unlucky not to get anything out of their clash with United last week as Peter Odemwingie missed from the penalty spot. This will be a tight affair but the Baggies might be able to get all three points from this one and compound Hughes’ misery.

Surprise package Blackpool keep plodding along in the Premier League picking up points when nobody expects them to.

The Tangerines host Birmingham on Wednesday as they look to consolidate their place in the top half of the table (Blackpool 13/10, draw 23/10, Birmingham 21/10).

Birmingham however have slipped into the three despite a win over Chelsea and a draw against United. Alex McLeish will be desperate to get an important away win and they should get something from this game.

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