This year, however, it does appear as though there is genuine concern regarding the status of Scott Parker, with England Euro 2012 odds drifting or contracting according to each fitness update, like with Beckham in ‘02 and Rooney in ‘06.

The former West Ham man is the only real option that England possess when it comes to a destructive individual who can break up attacks in the same way that Owen Hargreaves threatened to do in an England shirt before injuries ruined his career.

Should the likes of Rooney, Parker, and even Kyle Walker end up missing out on the Championships, then new England manager Roy Hodgson will be presented with one of the worst situations imaginable, with the media and England fans already seeming determined to find a reason to criticise him before he’s even started.

With the English squad set to be announced soon, the new boss knows that for England to stand any chance of becoming Champions of Europe, the players will need not only to be at their best technically, but also fit enough to play, with previous tournament failures blamed on fatigue following hectic Premier League seasons.

Should Parker truly turn out to be injured this summer, there is no doubt that calls will once again grow for the English FA to introduce a winter break, allowing players the rest some claim they need.

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France are 12/1 in the soccer betting tips to win Euro 2012, making Les Bleus fifth-favourites, behind England, in fourth.

The attacking midfielder has been out of favour with the national side since August 2010. However, his scintillating form for Newcastle, since the turn of the year, has convinced Blanc to include him in his initial squad for the Euros.

While the 25-year old is still not certain of a place in the final squad, he has certainly done his case the world of good with his form for Newcastle, this season. The Frenchman has been one of the Premier League’s most exciting stars, playing a major role in Newcastle’s sensational league campaign.

Ben Arfa admitted that he was over the moon with his recall to the national side, making it clear he was now focused on making sure he was part of the final squad that will head to Poland and the Ukraine, this summer.

“I feel great satisfaction to have reached that priority objective, and I want to express my great gratitude to all people who supported me.

“I will go to the Euros with a lot of humility and collective ambition. The team must have big faith in its chances, because the competition is quite open”, said the former Marseilles player.

It could end up being a busy summer for Ben Arfa. Not only could the 25-year old be representing his country in a major tournament but he could also be the subject of interest from a number of interested parties.

Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, has recently admitted that he has been a long-term fan of Ben Arfa.

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The Spanish media claimed that the Catalan giants had agreed to pay €40 million (£32m) for the 22-year-old, who is widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s hottest properties.

Redknapp is desperate to avoid having to sell his key stars as he feels that would send a poor signal out to potential transfer targets. He wants to avoid Spurs becoming a selling club, who cannot fufill players’ ambitions.

That was demonstrated by his dogged determination to hold on to Luka Modric last summer. The Croatian was the subject of sustained interest from Chelsea and the sport betting suggested he was on his way.

But Tottenham dug in and the midfielder has since gone on to perform magnificently, helping the club an impressive set of results and scores that has put them on the brink of a return to the Champions League.

However, while it is a fine achievement to finish in the top four, it is another thing entirely trying to stay there. Redknapp has already called on his chairman to supply him large amounts of cash to sustain at Champions League campaign as well as domestic bid, but he doesn’t want to sell Bale to do so.

“I don’t know anything about [the story linking Bale with Barcelona],” said Redknapp.

“I wouldn’t think there is the slightest bit of truth in that. Not a chance, I wouldn’t have thought.”

Redknapp was also quick to play down the suggestion that the club may have to sell its starts – or struggle to attact new ones – if they didn’t make the top four.

“That idea gets a bit over-hyped,” he added.

“When Gareth came to Tottenham, they weren’t in the Champions League. When Luka Modric came here, they were nowhere near.

“He didn’t come here because they were in the Champions League, he came here because they were a good club, on decent money and had a chance to play in the Premier League.

“Are you telling me people aren’t going to sign for Chelsea next year if they don’t win the Champions League this year because they won’t make it next year? Of course they’ll sign for Chelsea, if they are paid the right money and get the right contract, they are going to a fantastic club in London.”

“I just listened to my mailbox during a break at school and there was a message from the national team coach Joachim Loew. This is a great honour for me. Of course I will give it my best.”

Draxler has scored five goals this season, including one against Werder Bremen in his side’s 3-2 win last weekend, and has played a key role in the team’s charge to third third place in the Bundesliga this season.

But his inclusion has come as a major shock to many punters on betfair.com, and to Draxler himself.

“This call-up was totally unexpected,” he said.

Draxler is one of two uncapped players named in the preliminary squad and will join his teammates for a training camp in Sardinia ahead of the tournament later this week. The other uncapped inclusion is Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Despite his tender years, Joachim Loew has been clear that Draxler will not receive an easy ride from his team mates.

“He will be challenged by us in training. We start preparations on Friday with only some of our players but we just have to try our best to get the most out of it,” he said.

Although his place in the final squad is not yet confirmed, the training camp experience will no doubt prove to be very beneficial for Draxler, who must have been expecting to be preparing for the under-19s European Championship qualifiers at this stage.

Germany who won the European Championship in 1996, but it will be interesting to see how to see where the Group B Euro 2012 betting money is placed, particularly as Loew’s men begin the tournament with a tough looking fixture against Portugal in Lviv on June 9.

The 34 year old will undergo surgery to repair the damage but expects to be out of action for at least six weeks. Puyol had already missed three months of football earlier in the year with a similar knee injury and it seems that time may be starting to catch up with the veteran defender.

Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque will name his provisional squad on 15th May before finalising his selection on 27th May. This does give the Catalonian a small window to prove his fitness but he doesn’t hold out much hope;

“I think it’s impossible because when you come out of an operation there is a recovery period and I believe that those who are in better shape should go” he said.
Puyol, who was part of Spain’s winning team in the 2008 European Championship as well as at the the 2010 World Cup, still hopes to play a part in the future for his country.

“I am not saying I am retiring or not retiring from the national team” he  added. “ I do know that I want to retire on the pitch and not on the operating table.”

Puyol was named as part of the team of the tournament following Spain’s Championship win in 2008 and La Roja will surely miss his experience and aerial prowess if he does not recover in time for this year’s competition with the Spain Euro 2012 Odds drifting upon the news of Putol’s operation.

Spain’s championship defence begins on 10th June against Italy and whilst they will remain hotly tipped to retain their trophy the absence of Carles Puyol will certainly boost the confidence of those sides vying to take their title away from them.

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Ever since Fabio Capello walked out of the job, the press focussed their energies on Harry Redknapp; specifically, when the Spurs boss would be unveiled as England boss. The FA kept quiet, and went about their work, only to approach and hire Hodgson without talking to any other candidates.

Hodgson is vastly experienced, winning titles across Europe, and has managed at international level before, though the pressure that comes with managing England is likely to be vastly superior to anything he encountered as boss of Finland, Switzerland, or the UAE.

The man in the England hot seat is expected to name his squad for Euro 2012 on May 16th, before submitting a final selection on May 29th, ahead of two friendlies against Norway and Belgium. England get their tournament campaign underway on June 11th.

Hodgson has been around the Premier League for many years and should have a good idea of who he fancies taking to the tournament, but he has made the surprising admission he might approach Capello for advice. Get a few words of wisdom on Euro 2012 gambling from Bet Victor.

“It’s a good idea”, said Hodgson. “No doubt I will try and speak to him, if I can track him down.”

Hodgson has already appointed Fulham coach, Ray Lewington, to his staff and the new managerial set-up has little time to prepare for Euro 2012, with their opening Group D clash against France, followed by games with Ukraine and Sweden.

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The Senegalese front man has made a huge impact since arriving in the North East from German club Freiburg, hitting 11 goals in his first 10 games. His form has put Newcastle on the brink of a surprise Champions League place.

Following a last-gasp defeat at Arsenal on March 12, the Magpies were eight points away from the top four in sixth spot.

However, six consecutive Newcastle victories have seen them move three points clear of Spurs in fourth with only four games to go.

Cisse has played a big role in Newcastle’s charge up the Premier League table but is taking nothing for granted ahead of a testing finale.

“It is the right thing for us not to get ahead of ourselves. It is a bit of a cliché, but we really are just taking each game as it comes and we will see where we finish at the end of the season,” he told Sky Sports News.

“But, of course, the Champions League would be nice.”

Newcastle’s late-season charge could prove fruitless should Chelsea beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final on May 19.

A Chelsea victory would convert fourth spot into a Europa League place, placing added importance on third. Newcastle are currently three points adrift of Arsenal, with a game in hand.

Whatever happens between now and the end of the season, Cisse is grateful to the fans.

“The fans of Newcastle show me a lot of love and respect. It is important I return that respect by giving my all for them on the football field,” he added.

“The attention off the field is nice, but my focus is football.”

Fans who have looked to bet on Premier league games with Betfred have been pleasantly surprised with Newcastle’s recent form.

Stuart Pearce is a very busy man at the moment. Not only is in charge of Team GB, he is also the interim England manager ahead of the Euro 2012 tournament in June, and now he knows his opposition ahead of naming his Olympic team.

On the whole, the men’s team have a fairly straight forward group after being drawn against Uruguay, the United Arab Emirates and Senegal for the London 2012 tournament. There is a tough tie in there though as Uruguay will surely be a big test for Pearce’s side. With each team being allowed three over 23 year old players, Uruguay could put the likes of Luis Suarez, Deigo Forlan, and Eddison Cavani who are three of the worlds most devastating strikers, and sure to cause any team problems. As for the other teams, you would fully expect a Great Britain team to be comfortable against the likes of Senegal and UAE but stranger things have happened!

Stuart Pearce’s side will kick off the tournament against Senegal at Old Trafford on July 26th, then play the UAE at Wembley on July 29th and finish the group against Uruguay in Cardiff on August 1st. Should they get through to the knock out stages, they could find themselves up against the likes of Brazil, Spain, or Mexico which would certainly be great ties.

The women’s team will kick off the Olympics against New Zealand in the opening event of the London 2012 Games in Cardiff on July 25th – two days before the opening ceremony. The draw at Wembley on Tuesday saw Hope Powell’s side picked out of the hat against Brazil and Cameroon in Group F. The match against Cameroon will also be in Cardiff, on July 28th, with the game against Brazil at Wembley on July 31st.

It really is going to be a great summer of football!

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If City are to once again get the better of United for a second time this season and move level on points with them in the table, then they will need their full strength squad available for Mancini to pick the best team.

Apparently, Mancini is waiting to assess the form and fitness of Yaya Toure and Micah Richards who have both been instrumental all season for the blues. It has been said that Mancini didn’t think Toure was at his best in City’s win at Wolves on Sunday, but surely he has to be one of the first names on the team sheet! He has the pace, power, strength and skill to dominate a game as he has done on numerous occasions this season, and is a real threat going forward and at set pieces.

I have been often surprised to see Micah Richards on the bench at times this season too. He is another strong and powerful player who drives the whole team and is always a threat going forward and solid at the back. He is currently fighting to get fit after a hamstring strain caused him to miss the weekends game, but you would think that if he is fit, he will play in the derby.

Mario Balotelli is also back from suspension so Mancini will most likely have a full squad to pick from which will be a huge plus for him. You would think that the team almost picks its self, but don’t be surprised to see Mancini mix things up a little bit.

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