England have announced their first international of 2011 will be against Denmark in Copenhagen on Wednesday February 9th. The game will be a warm-up for England before their Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales at the end of March. The Parken Stadium in the Danish capital will offer similar conditions to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff as both grounds have retractable roofs.
It will be the first match between the two countries since 2005, when the Danes ran out comfortable 4-1 winners at the same ground. The game was remembered for a disastrous second-half performance from David James, who came replaced Paul Robinson at half-time and had a shocker.
England have made a decent start to their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign and are second in Group G, behind Montenegro. The public feeling against the national side is still a bit sore following the dreadful World Cup campaign and a strong 2011 will be crucial to regaining the full backing of the public again.
England's last match was the friendly against France in November in which they lost 2-1 following a limp display from a much changed side. Fabio Capello handed debuts to Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson and Newcastle's Andy Carroll during the France game and the youngsters may be given another chance to impress for the national side in Denmark in a game the football betting suggests the visitors should win.
Denmark had their own disappointing World Cup in South Africa, failing to qualify from the group stage. Their manager Morten Olsen recently signed a contract extension till the end of the 2012 tournament. They have started their qualifying tournament in similar mixed fashion to the English and find themselves third in an intimidating looking Group H.
This next two years will determine whether Capello leaves a legacy of success rather than the most expensive flop in England management history. A confident and assured display against the Danish will set the tone for the rest of the year and on into the all important European Championships in 2012. It will also give some fringe players the chance to really put themselves firmly in Capello's plans.
Meanwhile, the Portsmouth betting tips suggest the club could be in for another tough season.
They were relegated after entering administration last term, and they are struggling again in the Championship.
Tuesday 21 December 2010
Monday 6 December 2010
England's future looks bright
It hasn't been a great week for England football fans. Denied the chance to host the 2018 World Cup despite Sky Sports News getting the nation's hopes up in the days and hours leading up to the failed bid by telling us all how the "momentum" was firmly with the English bid, it seemed like Premier League fans would be keen to push any thought of the England team out of their minds over the weekend.
However, two performances from a couple of English players not yet established as crucial parts of Fabio Capello's starting line-up have handed England fans reason to be optimistic ahead of the next round of international fixtures.
Saturday afternoon saw Chelsea's plans to overcome their recent struggles and retake the lead at the top of the table undone in ruthless style by Leighton Baines, whose runs down the left wing tormented a fragile and uninspired opposition. The Chelsea betting suggested they would win, but they never looked in control.
Baines is a master at turning defence into attack and almost single-handedly pulled Everton back into the game after they slipped behind at Stamford Bridge. His break forward and pinpoint cross for Jermaine Beckford's equaliser was of the highest quality and ultimately the Everton man proved to Capello that, although Ashley Cole may be one of the best left backs in the world at the moment, there is young talent coming through. Anyone who has placed a Premier League bet on Everton will have been impressed by what they saw.
Meanwhile, at the Stadium of Light, Jordan Henderson was proving to Capello that he's more than deserving of a second chance in an England shirt after a fairly disappointing debut. Henderson's goal proved crucial to the end result but it was his general play in midfield, whether that was breaking up West Ham's possession or instigating an attack forward along with the likes of Danny Welbeck and Asamoah Gyan, that allowed the Sunderland man to prove yet again how crucial he is to his club.
Henderson will now hope that he can avoid the fate suffered by Kieron Richardson, who has excelled at club football level but has never really made an impact on the international scene. Whether Henderson is able to achieve such a difficult transformation remains to be seen but the signs are certainly good for those England fans looking forward.
However, two performances from a couple of English players not yet established as crucial parts of Fabio Capello's starting line-up have handed England fans reason to be optimistic ahead of the next round of international fixtures.
Saturday afternoon saw Chelsea's plans to overcome their recent struggles and retake the lead at the top of the table undone in ruthless style by Leighton Baines, whose runs down the left wing tormented a fragile and uninspired opposition. The Chelsea betting suggested they would win, but they never looked in control.
Baines is a master at turning defence into attack and almost single-handedly pulled Everton back into the game after they slipped behind at Stamford Bridge. His break forward and pinpoint cross for Jermaine Beckford's equaliser was of the highest quality and ultimately the Everton man proved to Capello that, although Ashley Cole may be one of the best left backs in the world at the moment, there is young talent coming through. Anyone who has placed a Premier League bet on Everton will have been impressed by what they saw.
Meanwhile, at the Stadium of Light, Jordan Henderson was proving to Capello that he's more than deserving of a second chance in an England shirt after a fairly disappointing debut. Henderson's goal proved crucial to the end result but it was his general play in midfield, whether that was breaking up West Ham's possession or instigating an attack forward along with the likes of Danny Welbeck and Asamoah Gyan, that allowed the Sunderland man to prove yet again how crucial he is to his club.
Henderson will now hope that he can avoid the fate suffered by Kieron Richardson, who has excelled at club football level but has never really made an impact on the international scene. Whether Henderson is able to achieve such a difficult transformation remains to be seen but the signs are certainly good for those England fans looking forward.
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