Italy

Once the powerhouses of European football, Italy now sit in the shadows of the likes of Spain and Germany, so what chances of success do they have this summer? (Italy 14/1 – Euro 2012 Outright)

Cesare Prandelli’s side won their group to make it to Euro 2012 but it was not without a few dodgy moments, the goalless draw with Northern Ireland and only a 1-0 win over the Faroe Islands raised a few eyebrows and let’s not forget the Serbia game, where they were awarded a 3-0 win after the opposition fans rioted.

They take on Russia on Friday night and will be looking for a real confidence boost on the eve of the tournament, especially vital as their scheduled friendly with Luxembourg in Parma on Tuesday was cancelled due to the earthquake near the region earlier that day. (Italy 23/20, draw 21/10, Russia 9/4 – 90 Minutes)

Dick Advocaat’s Russia are going to be no push-overs and are themselves preparing for Poland and Ukraine, with the Dutchman’s side built on a solid defensive unit and that is exemplified by the fact that – bar their 6-0 win over Andorra – they scored only 11 goals in nine qualifying games.

The Group A side possess talent like Andrey Arshavin, Alan Dzagoev and Roman Pavlyuchenko, so Italy cannot under-estimate them as they look to get their camp in order before starting their Euro 2012 campaign against defending champions Spain on June 10th. (Spain 4/5, draw 12/5, Italy 10/3 – 90 Minutes)

Italy are traditionally strong in defence and their narrow formation, which Prandelli usually packs with four central midfielders, means they retain possession well. But it is up-front where things could go well, or very wrong, for the Italians this summer.

Antonio Cassano is just back after having heart surgery in November and he led the way during qualifying and then there is the wildcard that is Mario Balotelli, who looks likely to play a lead role after being given the number nine shirt.

The Manchester City man, who this week vowed to walk off the pitch if he suffers racist abuse, was recently left out by Prandelli but the boss now claims the trust for forward “100%”. With veteran forward Antonio Di Natale, Fabio Borini and Sebastian Giovinco the other options, Italy need Balotelli to have a big tournament.

Italy have the hardest start possible against the defending European and World champions Spain, but following that they should fancy their chances against fellow Group C sides Croatia and the Republic of Ireland.

But they could run into the Spanish again at the quarter-finals and that looks about the level Italian fans should expect to see their side progress this summer. (2/1 Quarter-Finals – Italy Stage of Elimination)

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The Gers’ assistant boss Ally McCoist will also be able to patrol the touchline after winning his appeal against a charge of misconduct following his altercation with Hoops boss Neil Lennon in the same game.

It is a timely boost for Walter Smith’s side, who travel to face the Dons knowing three points are a must to keep the pressure on Old Firm rivals Celtic (4/9 SPL Outright) in the battle for the SPL crown this season.

Rangers (13/8 Outright) could trail Celtic by five points going into the game should the Hoops win at St Johnstone on Tuesday (21/20 Celtic and Rangers Win Old Firm Double Enhanced Multiple), while a shock defeat for Lennon’s men would give the Gers top spot to aim for.

However, despite Richard Foster being ineligible to play under the terms of his loan agreement, Kris Broadfoot, Lee McCulloch and Vladimir Weiss all missing due to respective foot, knee and foot problems, the visitors will fancy their chances of victory.

Rangers have won three and lost just once in their last six away games so go into the match in good shape on the road, despite the recent shock 1-0 home defeat against Dundee United at Ibrox.

Craig Brown’s side have endured a miserable season and they will probably go into the game with one eye firmly on this weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final showdown against Celtic.

The Dons chief also has a myriad of injury problems to contend with as defender Rory McArdle and striker Scott Vernon are definitely out and there are serious doubts over David McNamee, Zander Diamond, Derek Young and Nikola Vujadinovic.

Captain Paul Hartley was pulled out of a game at Cove Rangers on Monday and he might have to play some part, despite not being 100% fit.

The Dons lost their previous home game 1-0 to Hibernian on Saturday, while they have won three and lost two of their last six on home soil.

Therefore, the onus is clearly on Rangers to focus fully on securing maximum points against an under-strength and under-performing Aberdeen outfit that is also distracted by a big day out at Hampden Park on Sunday.

There can and will be only one winner in this contest!

Prediction: Draw/Rangers Half Time/Full Time @ 3/1
Value Bet: Diouf & Rangers 2-0 Scorecast @ 22/1

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England

However, they did do it the hard way, missing a raft of chances before a last-ditch challenge from Matthew Upson preserved their slender lead.

England took the lead through Jermain Defoe in the 22nd minute after he latched on to a delightful cross from the imperious James Milner.

The performances of Defoe, Milner and Upson justified their inclusion in the side and will reduce the doubts of some over the managerial capabilities of England boss Fabio Capello, who had been questioned following the 0-0 draw against Algeria.

The USA’s last-gasp win against Algeria – courtesy of a Landon Donovan goal deep into injury time – means that the Americans top the group on goals scored and will face the runners-up of Group D in Rustenburg on Saturday evening.

England face the winners of Group D in Bloemfontein on Sunday afternoon, which could be Germany if they beat Ghana this evening (Ghana 6/1, Draw 10/3, Germany 4/9). The prospect of the two old foes meeting in knockout football promises to be a mouth-watering affair and England will need to step up again if they are to have any chance of beating the stylish Germans.

Speaking after the game, Tottenham Hotspur coach Harry Redknapp praised the performance of his club striker Defoe, and said that England had little to fear from Germany.

He told the  BBC: “There wasn’t a weakness in the team tonight. I think we’ve got a big chance still to win the competition. It could be Germany in the next round but bring them on. I still think we can beat them.

“As for Jermain’s goal – it was great movement, a great cross and fantastic finish. The little man has done it all his life. He has always had that natural instinct to get across defenders like all good goalscorers.”

Wayne Rooney was substituted in the second half amid fears about his ongoing ankle injury.

He has been cut to 33/1 in totesport’s World Cup top goalscorer betting after he failed to score in the group stage and missed a couple of gilt-edged chances against Slovenia, including an occasion when he had an effort pushed on to the post. There are doubts about whether he will feature in the second round game but Fabio Capello confirmed that he “should be okay”.

Capello was under criticism for the performance of his side during the first two group games and he claimed that this was not the team that he knew in his post-match comments after the 0-0 draw against Algeria. Speaking after today’s game, he was far happier.

“This is what I wanted to see – the spirit, see them fight together,” he said. “I am really, really happy. I rediscovered the team I knew from qualification.”

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