Doyle hoping Irish eyes will smile

It was a long and miserable Premier League campaign for Kevin Doyle, but the Wolves striker is now looking ahead to playing a big part for the Republic of Ireland in Euro 2012.

The 28-year-old striker was forced to watch from the sidelines for large periods as Wolves limped out of the Premier League, a miserable season ending in relegation to the Championship.

Doyle has been named in Giovanni Trappatoni’s squad for the summer’s European Championships in Poland and Ukraine and is likely to play a big role as Ireland look to get out of Group C.

But things will not be easy for the men in green as they must face defending Euro and World Cup winners Spain, the traditional giants of Italy and Croatia in the group stages.

Doyle will be looking to take his frustration out on opposition defences at Euro 2012 and claims “from a physical point of view” his lack of action could be good for Ireland as he is fresher than some others.

“I'm confident about my own form, I am feeling good, I am feeling fit and fresh, mentally I am feeling fresh,” he said.

"I haven't played as many games, which can only be good for me and for Ireland, hopefully, if I play because I am really hungry to do well in the summer."

Doyle’s Irish compatriot Sean St Ledger recently said that Ireland are out to “spring an upset” at Euro 2012 despite many people predicting them not to win a game in their group.

The Irish have a pedigree of causing shocks when it comes to major international football tournaments but, with Spain in their group, it leaves the other three sides battling for one spot to make the knockout stage.

To celebrate this summer’s European Championships bet365 have launched a brand new Youtube channel featuring all the videos you see on TV, including the latest bet365 Ray Winston video .

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain: England’s Secret Weapon?

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain was a surprise call up to the England squad, this summer, after his limited appearances in the Arsenal team, but there is no doubting that the kid has tremendous talent, and I am sure he will prove that Roy Hodgson was right to take him to Euro 2012.

His call up really does cap an astonishing rise to stardom for the £12million signing from Southampton, who only made his Gunners debut in August - in the 8-2 defeat to Manchester United.

Chamberlain has been speaking about how surprised he is at his rapid rise to fame, and his inclusion in the England squad, but you get the feeling that this summer might just be the start of a very special career.

Chamberlain has not played too much football for Arsenal, with Arsene Wenger looking to drip him in gradually into the limelight. However, when he has played, he has demonstrated how good of a footballer he is, both physically, technically, tactically, and even mentally.

He is in the squad on merit, and Roy Hodgson was right to choose the nineteen-year-old.

Even if he doesn’t feature in any of the games, which I think he will, the experience alone will prove to be very beneficial for himself and England in the future. Mixing with experienced players like John Terry, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, and Wayne Rooney will be a great learning curve for him.

The funny thing is that, just a few years ago, these players would have been Chamberlain’s idols, as he watched England at home like any other kid in England – but, this summer, he could well be one of the main players for the side.

If you do not fancy England for the win in Poland and Ukraine, gamble on an underdog on the Greece Euro 2012 betting page, or plump for a favourite, with Betfair Netherlands Betting.

Potential deals this summer

There will once again be plenty of ins and outs in this summer before the live football action in the Premier League resumes, as clubs hope to close the gap on Manchester City, who themselves will be looking to stay on top.

Both City and Manchester United have been linked with a move for the talented Belgium youngster Eden Hazard, who looks set to leave Lille this summer.

The midfielder has intimated that he will be arriving in the Premier League ahead of the next campaign but it will be a question of who can offer him the best deal and the most football out of the Citizens and the Red Devils.

In a move between two English clubs, it looks like Emmanuel Adebayor will make his loan deal from City to Tottenham Hotspur a permanent one, having impressed manager Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane last term.

The former Gunner settled in well to the attacking football with the Lilywhites and they would do well to secure the striker on a full-time basis, with players of his quality hard to come by in today’s transfer market.

With Blackburn Rovers dropping down into the Championship next season, there will be a few stars set to leave the Ewood Park outfit to continue their careers in England’s top flight.

Experienced goalkeeper Paul Robinson has been linked with both QPR and West Ham United, whilst striker Yakubu and David Hoilett are also being tracked by potential suitors.

There will be plenty of deals done this summer, with several Premier League betting markets speculating on the destination of several stars.

Torres looking to make his season a success

A number of top players have endured fairly miserable seasons, but there is one man who has failed to enjoy a moment of personal glory for what seems like aeons (his moment of brilliance in Barcelona aside), and that man is Chelsea's outspoken striker Fernando Torres.

This week, following the Blues' Champions League final win, the frontman opened up when questioned about his future, describing the lengths he is prepared to go to in order to bring back enjoyment to his game after two years of misfiring and playing second fiddle to other players.

Although Chelsea fans may feel a little aggrieved, it remains clear that, despite his faltering form, Torres sees himself as deserving of being the main man for any team he plays for, whether that be Chelsea or Spain.

If Torres can enjoy a successful European Championships in June, there is a strong chance that he will be able to be judged by neutrals as hot property once again, with a few performances of note likely to go quite some way to getting rid of his current reputation for being a moaning misfiring striker who failed to earn a starting place in the Champions League final on merit.

With this in mind, Torres will need to waste little time in adjusting to the particular needs and demands of the Spanish squad, where he may find himself on the fringes once again, both on the pitch and off the pitch.

Those preparing to indulge in a little Spain Euro 2012 betting believe that the Euros could make or break a career that looks like it is now hanging in the balance and could just come to a grinding halt unless something is done to arrest a disturbing slide in form from a man once feared by every single defender in the Premier League.

Elsewhere, the Betfair Group A Euro 2012 tips are already rolling in as Czech Republic, Poland, Greece and Russia battle for the two qualification places.

England’s Strike Force

When Roy Hodgson came to selecting his strikers for the Euro 2012 England squad, it was probably the easiest position to choose for, when looking at the whole squad.

There were question marks; chiefly, whether or not Wayne Rooney should have been included, given that he will miss the first few qualifiers, due to suspension, but, since he had his ban reduced to just the two games, it is a no brainer to take him.

When you look at the other strikers in England, no one carries that ‘fear factor’ that Rooney has. Hopefully, by the time he gets to kick a ball, England will still be in with a chance of progressing to the knock out stages, and his return to action will be refreshing for the whole squad. 

When you look around the Premiership, no other strikers are on that same level of class that Rooney is on, but his comrade at United, Danny Welbeck, has shown that he could well be one of the best strikers in Europe in a few years’ time. 

He is still young, but he has bags of potential and has good experience with the U21s. Whether his inclusion will influence the Betfair Euro 2012 tips, remains to be seen.

If he can hold down a regular starting spot for Manchester United, and be instrumental in their play with his assists, goals, and general play, then he can certainly do that for England, and he should lead the line in Rooney’s absence.

Andy Carroll’s selection might have come as a shock to a few fans. He has had a terrible 18 months, since signing for Liverpool, but it seems that his performance over the last month, or so, has given him the edge over some other strikers. 

He is a different option for England, with his height and power and, if he features, he will hopefully be able to leave off where he left Liverpool, at the end of the season.

It is great to see Jermain Defoe in the squad too. He is the only natural goal scorer in the team. It is a nicely balanced attack that Hodgson has to choose from, and I do not think that he could have done it any other way.

Optimism aside, England are outsiders to win Euro 2012, according to the Betfair Euro 2012 Group D betting odds.

Few Surprises in Roy’s First Squad

England manager, Roy Hodgson, has named his squad for this summer’s European Championships in Poland and Ukraine. Any fans hoping for surprise call-ups and omissions will have been sadly disappointed.

The 23-man squad follows a familiar pattern, with the inclusion of Steven Gerrard, as captain, and Chelsea favourites, Ashley Cole and John Terry, in defence, as well as club mate Frank Lampard in midfield. 

Amongst the other, more experienced, inclusions are Wayne Rooney, Gareth Barry, and Scott Parker.

The squad contains only two uncapped players; Norwich goalkeeper, John Ruddy, who is unlikely to get a look in, ahead of the in-form Joe Hart and West Ham’s Robert Green, and the exciting 18-year old Arsenal winger, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

In terms of surprise omissions, the biggest was perhaps that of Rio Ferdinand, who, at 33, must now have played his last game for England. 

Leaving Ferdinand at home has prevented one potential headache for Hodgson, who will not have to worry about resolving the feud that has built up between the Manchester United man and former captain, John Terry, over allegations that he racially abused Ferdinand’s brother, Anton, in a fixture, last October.

Whilst the England squad may have a familiar look to it, fans will be hoping that the outcome of the tournament will not be quite so familiar. 

The Three Lions have never won the European Championship; their best finish being semi-final defeats in 1968 and 1996. Having failed to qualify in 2008, and then been humbled in the World Cup in 2010, expectations for this group of players are lower than ever. 

If high hopes have hindered England’s chances in the past, then perhaps  this could be the year for Roy Hodgson’s men. In 2012, England expects...very little! Find out just how the bookies' view England's chances with Group D Euro 2012 Betting.

Danish, German, Dutch, and Portuguese fans should direct their attentions to the Betfair Group B Euro 2012 Odds for more information about their national side.

Where will Wilfred Zaha end up?

It looks set in summer transfer stone; the Crystal Palace winger will leave The Eagles this summer with Reading, Aston Villa and now German side Hoffenheim all tracking the England Under-21 star.



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Marquee Players a Thing of the Past - Gorman

The days of franchises making "the Dwight Yorke-type of signing" are over, to quote A-League boss, Lyall Gorman.

Robbie Fowler and Dwight Yorke were two of several high-profile exports from the English Premier League to ply their trade Down Under, in recent years, but marquee signings could soon be consigned to the history books, given that many clubs are tightening their belts.

A shift in clubs being taken over by rich owners in parts of the world such as China, the UAE, Qatar, and even Russia means less wealth reaching Australian clubs. However, with live soccer betting, the chance of a big payout for lucky fans remains intact.

A new focus on unearthing home-grown talent has also led to less demand for distinguished foreigners coming to the end of their careers.

"We've become more discerning about the capacity of marquee players to add value, on and off the field", A-League boss, Gorman, told the Sydney Morning Herald. "Clearly the talent ID work we've done over the last few years is starting to bear fruit."

He added: "Good, young, Australian players are proving they can do the job. That means clubs aren't as keen to go overseas for the big-name player as they used to be. From what I'm hearing, the Dwight Yorke-type of signing has dropped off the radar."

Gorman said it was wise for clubs in austere times to look longer-term, rather than taking the instant-hit approach of bringing in box-office signings.

Adelaide United, Perth Glory, and Wellington Pheonix will move their marquee signings inside the salary cap, next season, and Gorman indicated others should cut their cloth accordingly.

He said: "You've got to run before you can walk, and there's a shift of focus to prudent financial management. To me, that makes sense." Take advantage of the burgeoning soccer game in Australia, with a bet on Socceroos.