REDKNAPP WANTS TO SEE TWO REFS Barclays Premier League.

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Harry Redknapp believes football should experiment with two referees after a recent spate of controversial decisions.

Tottenham were on the wrong end of what they believe were costly errors by the match officials during their 2-1 defeat at Stoke on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Manchester City were denied what appeared to be a clear-cut penalty during their 2-1 reversal at Chelsea on Monday night.

Redknapp feels these mistakes could be eradicated if extra officials were introduced.

He appreciates that it would be difficult for a rule change to be implemented, but feels football needs to explore all possible avenues when it comes to getting big decisions right – with so much riding on the outcome of results at the highest level.

“This could make me just about the most unpopular manager among my colleagues in the Premier League, but I reckon it might be a good idea to have not one but two referees in every match,” Redknapp wrote in his column in The Sun.

“Refs have a tough job, I know that. The other managers know that.

“I don’t want to criticise them, but if we can think of a solution where they can work more effectively and we avoid these fall-outs surely it must be better for us all.

“Referees are human and can make errors and bad calls, just as I can, and, do.

“However, if we had two referees on one pitch, perhaps one in each half, surely it would cut the risk of getting a big decision wrong by 50 per cent.

“In Europe, we have had extra refs on the touchline and that has helped.

“But two on the pitch could be something worth experimenting with.

“We have lots of top-class referees so it could only make their job easier if they got some help on the pitch.

“Key decisions are being made in big games and there is so much more pressure involved nowadays.

“Virtually every match is on the telly and I think we must look at every angle of making sure we get it right.”

Jonny Wilkinson retires from England duty

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Jonny Wilkinson Wilkinson is England’s all-time leading scorer with 1,179 points

England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has retired from international rugby union.

The 32-year-old won 91 England caps, kicked the winning drop-goal in the 2003 World Cup final and played six Tests for the British and Irish Lions.

“It fills me with great sadness, but I know I have been blessed in so many ways to have experienced what I have with the England rugby team,” he said.

Despite a career plagued by injury, Wilkinson is England’s all-time leading scorer with 1,179 points.

Wilkinson one of the greats – Woodward

The Toulon back is second on the all-time list with 1,246 Test points, placing him just behind New Zealand’s Dan Carter.

Wilkinson’s record for his country includes six tries, 162 conversions, 239 penalties and a record 36 drop-goals. His total of 277 points at World Cups is 50 more than any other player.

“I never ever believed that I would be able to give up on this dream which has driven me to live, breathe, love and embrace the game of rugby from the earliest days that I can remember,” he told his official website.

“Playing the game, representing the team, giving my all and never letting go has meant everything to me. I do, have done and always will believe that I am very capable of performing and thriving at any level of the sport.
WILKINSON IN NUMBERS
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The fly-half made his England debut at the age of 18 and went on to play in four World Cups, with his defining moment coming in the final of the 2003 tournament when his drop-goal 17 seconds from the end of extra-time secured England a 20-17 win over Australia.

But the then Newcastle fly-half’s career was blighted by injuries and at one stage Wilkinson played barely 15 hours’ competitive rugby in 18 months as a succession of injuries took their toll.

His extraordinary determination enabled him to overcome them and he fought back to help England reach the final of the 2007 World Cup.

Rejuvenated after moving to play his club rugby with Toulon, Wilkinson made his last England appearance against France in the quarter-final of this year’s tournament in October.

“To say I have played through four World Cups, two Lions tours, 91 international games and a ridiculous number of injuries and other setbacks gives me an incredibly special feeling of fulfilment,” he added.
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I’ll always remember playing against Newcastle early on in his career. I got tackled and thought I’d been hit by two men because it was so hard, but when I looked up it was just Jonny stood there on his own

“But by now I know myself well enough to know that I will never truly be satisfied. It goes without saying that I would like to wish Stuart Lancaster [interim England head coach], his coaches and the England squad every bit of success available to them.

“I would also very much like to extend those wishes to Martin Johnson, Brian Smith, Mike Ford, John Wells, Graham Rowntree and the rest of the England 2011 World Cup management team who have been fantastic, and deserve people to know that.

“For me now, I will continue to focus ever harder on my goal of being the very best I can be with Toulon Rugby Club and continue to embrace and enjoy wherever that path takes me.”

Lancaster, who has been appointed as England’s interim head coach for the Six Nations, paid a glowing tribute to Wilkinson.

“Jonny has had a fantastic international career which has spanned four World Cups and 91 caps, and ranks as one of England’s greatest ever players,” he commented.

“He will, of course, be remembered for that drop-goal. But he is more than that, a model sportsman – down to earth and hard-working – who has never stopped trying to be the best that he can.

“Everyone who has played with, coached and watched Jonny play should feel privileged to have had an involvement with him.

“Not only has he been a world-class player, but he has inspired thousands to play and watch the game of rugby.

“He will continue to do great things with Toulon, and I would like to go and see him in France to learn from his vast knowledge and experience of 13 years at the very top of the international game.”

Former England team-mate Mark Cueto said: “You’ve just got to look at the likes of Matthew Tait, who I played with at Sale for three years and who grew up with Wilko at Newcastle, and the qualities they learned from him.

Jonny Wilkinson will forever be remembered for the drop-goal (off his wrong foot) that brought England their first World Cup in 2003, but he offered his country so much more than just a kicker. At his peak, he was the best distributor of the ball in world rugby, his offensive tackling was outstanding for a fly-half, and he was blessed with the calmest of temperaments. Time after time he delivered under pressure, and time after time he recovered from debilitating injuries to reclaim the England number 10 shirt. Wilkinson is an extraordinary man with an extraordinary talent, and English rugby is much the poorer without him

“He was always striving to better himself. He couldn’t have done any more with the England team, winning the Grand Slam in the Six Nations and then going on to win a World Cup and for so many players it would be easy to relax after that.

“But the more he achieved, the harder he worked and that’s an unbelievable attribute to have.”

Lewis Moody, who played alongside Wilkinson in the World Cup-winning team and only announced his own retirement from England duty in October, said: “I’m humbled to have played alongside him.

“I’m saddened but his contribution over the years, his work ethic, professionalism and commitment, has been immense. He put everything into what he did. It was incredible to watch him train and perform.

“The fact he missed four years of international rugby but still amassed 97 caps is unimaginable. It’s a real shame he’s decided to retire but what he’s given to the sport, and a generation, is immense.”

Former England centre and BBC pundit Jeremy Guscott told BBC Sport: “He was world class, the best in his position, and when he dropped that goal to win the World Cup for England he became immortalised.

“His performances were never less than the best he could deliver, he was a very talented player and England were fortunate to have him.”

BOA fights to keep lifetime bans for drugs cheats

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Dwain Chambers Chambers received a two-year ban for a drug offence in 2004

The British Olympic Association (BOA) will take its fight to keep a lifetime ban for drugs cheats to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).

The BOA is challenging the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) policy that the ban is “non-compliant” with its code.

“We take a different view – we believe it is about our selection policy,” said BOA chairman Lord Moynihan.

Sprinter Dwain Chambers, who has served a ban, could compete at the 2012 London Olympics if the BOA loses.

Both the BOA and Wada are looking for Cas to make a decision before the end of April 2012.

Moynihan told BBC Radio 5 live: “Selection policies differ from nation to nation. One of ours is that we will not select athletes who have knowingly taken drugs to cheat clean athletes for selection to Team GB and that has been in place for 19 years.”

The BOA imposes a lifetime Olympic ban on any British athlete banned for more than six months for a doping offence – the only national Olympic committee to do so.

However, the policy contradicts Wada’s global anti-doping code.

Lord Moynihan believes the majority of athletes support the BOA position.

He said: “We have asked the athletes, who are the most important people, and 90 to 95% after any Games – winter and summer – have supported that selection policy.

“We will continue to fight for our right to select clean athletes.”

Two QCs, Lord David Pannick and Adam Lewis, will represent the BOA joined by a third lawyer, Tom Cassels of Baker & McKenzie. The lawyers are so supportive of the lifetime ban that they have agreed to represent the BOA for a fraction of their usual fees.

In October, Cas ruled that the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) own doping rule – which barred offenders who had received bans of longer than six months from competing in the next Olympic Games – was unenforceable.

To me it was completely wrong of Wada to mix up sanctions with our selection policy which has been in place longer than Wada has been in existence

Lord Moynihan BOA chairman

That allowed Olympic 400m champion LaShawn Merritt to overturn a ban that prevented him from competing at the 2012 Games, enabling him to defend his title in London.

Moynihan added: “Wada’s current position on this is that if you have a really serious drug offence – you’ve been taking drugs for years – and you get caught you will only get a two year ban.

“If you get the timing right immediately after a Games you will never miss an Olympic Games in the future.

“That to all of us in sport seems just an unsustainable position.”

Moynihan is unhappy that the BOA has been forced to take the case to Cas.

He said: “The reality is it’s Wada that have come after us and said ‘we deem you to be non-compliant’ so we are the reactors in this case.

“It’s regretable we have got to take this step. To me it was completely wrong of Wada to mix up sanctions with our selection policy which has been in place longer than Wada has been in existence but that’s their choice and we are defending our position.”

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas says he has backing of Abramovich

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Winning title will be difficult – Villas-Boas

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas insists owner Roman Abramovich has faith in his long-term plans despite a third defeat in four league games.

Earlier on Sunday, Chelsea said newspaper claims of fractures in their relationship were “total nonsense”.

And after the 2-1 defeat by Liverpool, Villas-Boas said he was confident he retained the owner’s full support.

We have enough talent to compete in all competitions

Andre Villas-Boas

“He didn’t pay 15m euros (£13.2m) to get me out of Porto and another fortune to get me out of Chelsea,” he said.

“It is not a question of the owner having patience. I have said we have set out to build something new at this club and the club is committed to what we are building for the future.”

The loss at home to Liverpool leaves Chelsea 12 points behind leaders Manchester City and Villas-Boas admits they now face a huge task to revive their title hopes.

“Our commitment is to the club and to what we are doing in the future and we have enough talent to compete in all competitions. This our perspective at the moment,” he added.

And a defiant Villas-Boas declared he is happy to try to match the ambitions of Abramovich, demands which meant Carlo Ancelotti was sacked only 12 months after winning the Premier League and FA Cup double.

“There is no running away from our responsibilities,” said Villas-Boas. “There is no calling this a year of transition, no calling for time to do our work.

“Our responsibility is to win the most amount of trophies we can and at the moment we are in four competitions.

“It is not the brightest of starts in the Premier League for Chelsea in the last 10 years, but the belief is there from the team and that is what we have to focus on.”

The Sunday Express had claimed Abramovich was not ‘overly impressed’ with Chelsea’s start to the season, and identified the 5-3 home loss to Arsenal as a particular cause for concern.

Former Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink, who has left his post as Turkey coach, has been tipped to replace Villas-Boas.

The Dutchman, 65, has done little to play down the speculation by admitting he enjoys a close friendship with Abramovich.

He told English language Russian television station RT: “The relationship [with Abramovich] was, has been and will be very good.

“When I go to London, I am always welcome at Cobham (Chelsea’s training ground) and the stadium.

“We don’t speak every week but every now and then there is contact and I feel very welcome always.”

He added: “I will take some time off and see what the future brings.”

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Roger Federer beats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Tour Finals opener

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Roger Federer opened the ATP World Tour Finals with a hard-earned victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at London’s O2 Arena.

Bidding to defend the title he won 12 months ago and secure a record sixth season-ending crown, Federer came through 6-2 2-6 6-4 in one hour and 28 minutes.

The 16-time Grand Slam champion looked on course for a routine triumph when he dominated the first set, breaking twice and dropping only three points on serve.

Tsonga responded brilliantly in the second set with two breaks of his own to level, and he continued to take the fight to Federer in the decider.

But the Swiss legend showed all his class and experience to strike late on and make an early move to the top of round-robin Group B.

A rather odd match which absolutely flew by with rallies at a premium. Federer recovered from losing his forehand in the second set and errors from Tsonga in the final game cost him heavily. The capacity crowd loved it, creating a great atmosphere. The court looked pretty slow and some bounces around the service line were particularly low. This will play into Federer’s hands as the week progresses.

After the match Federer said: “Jo-Wilfried served well in the second set and it was hard to control the rallies at the baseline. But I think this is the best I’ve played all year. It helped that I had some good time off before playing great at Basel and Paris.”

Tsonga added: “I think he was a bit surprised because I played so bad in the first set, then I played correctly in the second, but it’s always difficult because he’s really quick.

“Sometimes you think you will get the point but Roger is still there. That’s why it’s tough to play against him.”

The evening match sees world number two Rafael Nadal face Mardy Fish at 2000 GMT, with Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic both in Group A action on Monday.

Federer arrived in London as the man to beat, with 17 wins from his past 18 matches and victory – over Tsonga – at the last Masters 1000 event of the year in Paris.

He had won six of his nine previous encounters with the Frenchman, although they had never met indoors before and Tsonga stunned Federer in this year’s Wimbledon quarter-finals.

With two of the sport’s most eye-catching players first up and music, bright lights and dry ice used to build the atmosphere, there was a palpable sense of excitement around the 17,500-capacity venue.

The noise was deafening when they emerged on court with both men backed by large sections of the crowd but Federer certainly the favourite.

His mother Lynette, wife Mirka and French footballer Thierry Henry – not supporting compatriot Tsonga – looked on in awe as the world number four put on a first-set masterclass.

Federer’s serve looked smooth from the outset as he held to love in his opening service game and, with his opponent struggling for rhythm, he went all out attack in game three.

Two forehands were flicked wide by Tsonga to hand over an easy break, and Federer struck again in the eighth game when the world number six produced three more errors and a double-fault.

At this stage, Tsonga had only managed to win three points on the Federer serve.

But the second set was a different story as the 6ft 2in right-hander began hitting with much greater accuracy, depth and consistency.

Federer failed to control a forehand to go down a break after three games, and it was the same shot that uncharacteristically let him down to fall 5-2 behind.

Tsonga served out confidently and bounced back to his chair with a spring in his step as his support team in the stands rose to their feet.

His service statistics improved dramatically in a disciplined third set, yet Federer stayed calm and the worst position he faced on his own delivery was deuce at 1-1.

There was a feeling around the arena that Federer was saving himself for one final push – and so it proved when he broke to 15 in the 10th game to seal the win.

In the opening doubles match of the Finals third seeds Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor beat fifth seeds Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi 7-6 (7-2) 4-6 11-9.

source: www.bbc.co.uk

Rafael Nadal hits out at ‘stupid’ Noah accusations

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Nadal faces Roger Federer at the ATP World Tour Finals on Tuesday

Rafael Nadal has hit back at Yannick Noah’s claims that Spanish sporting success is due to doping.

French tennis legend Noah, winner of the 1983 French Open, told French newspaper Le Monde: “Today if you don’t have the magic potion, it’s hard to win. How can a nation dominate sport virtually overnight like this?”

Nadal was angered by the allegations.

He said: “What he said is completely stupid. This guy does not deserve to write in newspapers anymore.”

Noah’s article also claimed that drug laws should be relaxed across the board to level the playing field.

Nadal, 25, is currently second in the ATP world rankings and has won 10 Grand Slam titles in his career.

Spain’s football team are World Cup and European Championship holders, while cyclist Alberto Contador has won the Tour de France in three of the last five years.

Spain’s basketball team has won a World Championship, two European titles and an Olympic silver medal in the past six years.

Noah, 51, who retired from tennis in 1996, said: “When I still milled around on the courts with my racket, we weren’t ridiculous, far from it, against our Spanish friends.

“It was the same on the soccer fields, the basketball halls or on the roads of the Tour de France. Today they are running faster than us, are much more stronger and only leave us the bread crumbs.

“We look like dwarves. Did we miss something? Did they discover some avant-garde techniques or training facilities that nobody before them had imagined?”

Nadal responded to Noah’s comments by insisting that drug testing procedures show the claims have no foundation.

The Spaniard said: “He knows better than anybody that to say that today is a totally stupid thing because you know how many anti-doping controls we have during the season, year by year.

Yannick Noah’s son, Joakim, plays basketball for the Chicago Bulls and was on the French national team that qualified for the London Olympics

“So in my opinion, the article that he wrote was from a kid and when one kid says something it’s not painful for us.”

Nadal is confident he will recover from a stomach problem in time for his eagerly-anticipated meeting with Roger Federer at the ATP World Tour Finals on Tuesday.

He rushed to the toilet two games into the third set of his late-night 6-2 3-6 7-6 (7-3) victory over Mardy Fish on Sunday.

Nadal added: “The feeling of my body is not the best right now. I really need to go back to the hotel and rest.

“I am worried about getting better for practice [on Monday] but two days are enough.”

Robbie Keane rejects plea to skip Republic second leg

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Robbie Keane is delighted to see the morale boost that the Republic of Ireland’s likely qualification for Euro 2012 is giving to his country

Robbie Keane has turned down a request from his US club to miss the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2012 play-off second leg against Estonia on Tuesday.

Los Angeles Galaxy play in the MLS Cup final on Sunday and had hoped Keane might miss the Republic’s game, given their 4-0 advantage from the first leg.

But Republic captain and record goalscorer Keane declined the request.

“The job is still not done yet. We have to be professional and do the job properly,” said the striker.

“They requested me to come back with the final [against Houston Dynamo] on Sunday, but this could be one of the greatest moments in Irish history for me playing for my country.

“To miss a special night – hopefully – like this, it wouldn’t feel right.”

Keane insisted the Galaxy had understood his decision.

Richard Dunne says the Republic will not let up in the second leg against Estonia

“They requested it and they were happy with what the manager and the association said, so believe me, it’s no problem,” he said.

It is 10 years since the Republic of Ireland made it to a finals tournament, the 2002 World Cup in the Far East, and on that occasion, they also took the play-off route.

Then skipper Roy Keane, who had headed off on international duty nursing an ankle injury, was not present as their trip to the Far East was confirmed in Tehran having, to the surprise of many, returned to Manchester United following a 2-0 home win over Iran in the first leg.

The current captain said: “I don’t want to get into what happened in the past,

“I can only speak for myself and what Ireland means to me, and you all know I turn up for every game.

“If I have got a slight injury, I still come in and try my best to play the game, that’s just the way I have been brought up, that’s the kind of player I am.

“I can only speak on behalf of me and for me, this is probably one of the proudest moments my footballing career, to lead this team to where we are now and to achieve what we have achieved.”

source: www.bbc.co.uk

Injured Danny Welbeck out of England’s friendly with Sweden

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Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck has been withdrawn from England’s squad to face Sweden at Wembley on Tuesday because of a muscle strain.
Welbeck, who came on as a second-half substitute in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Spain, has returned to his club.
Coach Fabio Capello was planning to make eight changes with John Terry and Gary Cahill returning.
Welbeck’s absence could hand Daniel Sturridge the chance to partner Bobby Zamora in attack.
When asked about Sturridge’s possible debut, before Welbeck’s injury, Capello said: “One hundred per cent, he will start on the bench. All of the young players who come from the Under-21s have been monitored for a long time.”
Everton defender Phil Jagielka will not have the chance to continue his impressive form in England’s 1-0 victory over the Spanish after being released from the squad due to an ongoing toe injury.
The Football Association (FA) stressed that Jagielka, 29, did not aggravate the problem while on international duty.
“Some midfielders and a keeper will remain. Spain and Sweden are two very different games,” said Capello.
“They are two different games but the experience gained for these players is really important, in order to improve for the next match against the Netherlands [the friendly originally called off because of riots in August] or for the Euros.”
Capello is also considering giving goalkeeper Scott Carson, 26, a first cap in three years.
It would be his first outing at Wembley since the 3-2 defeat by Croatia in November 2007, a result which meant England failed to reach Euro 2008 and cost manager Steve McClaren his job.
Carson joined Turkish side Bursaspor in a £2.1m deal from West Bromwich Albion during the summer.
Despite England’s excellent result against Spain, Capello is mindful Sweden will provide another stern test.
England have not beaten Sweden in 12 matches since 1968.
Sweden reached Euro 2012 as the best runners-up in qualification after finishing second behind the Netherlands in Group E, with 24 points from 10 games.
Capello added: “They are really good and play in a very organised way. Everybody knows what they need to do in every moment of the game.
“It is a little country with a small population but it’s always difficult to beat Sweden.”
Capello is looking forward to the challenge of stopping Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the striker the Italian signed for Juventus for £15m in 2004.
He said: “Ibrahimovic is a really good player who can decide a top-level game in a single moment.
With less to fear from Sweden than Spain, the real test for England may come from striking the right balance between continuing their solidity while offering more attacking threat
“I bought him as Juventus manager and for this reason I know how important he is for Sweden and what a real danger he is for every opponent.”
Meanwhile, England goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence has been admitted to hospital.
The former Liverpool and Tottenham keeper, 63, who won 61 England caps, began to feel unwell on Friday and missed Saturday’s win over Spain.
An FA statement confirmed: “Ray Clemence has been unwell while with England and is having tests in hospital.
“Ray would like to thank everyone for the kind messages he’s received and the FA would like to request privacy for his family.”
It is unlikely that Clemence will be at Tuesday’s game against Sweden.
For the latest updates and reaction to this story, read Sportsday Live. Have your say on Twitter via the hashtag #bbcsportsday.
Source: www.betting-zone.co.uk

FEDERER 2/1 FOR QUICK HAT-TRICK

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Roger Federer is a general 2/1 favourite for the ATP World Tour Finals after the draw was made on Tuesday.

The five-time champion has been drawn with Rafael Nadal in the group stages, having beaten the Spaniard in last year’s final.

Nadal can be backed at 11/2, which makes him the fourth-favourite with the layers.

Andy Murray is an 11/4 chance to end the season on a high after he was drawn with injury-troubled world number one Novak Djokovic, who is as big as 5/1 with Bodog.

Sky Bet are one of several firms who rate Federer the most likely winner, and their Chris Kennedy said: “The draw looks fairly equal with both groups looking similar in strength.

“There are some interesting re-matches from last week with Murray keen to get a swift revenge on Paris conqueror Tomas Berdych and Tsonga looking to avenge his final defeat to Federer.

“The fans will also be treated to a tasty Federer v Nadal group encounter.”

Coral are one of those offering the best price about Murray at 11/4, with the Scot as short as 9/4 in places following what many see as a good draw.

Their David Stevens said: “2012 has undoubtedly been Novak Djokovic’s year, but the world number one has been struggling with his fitness since the US Open.

“By contrast, Roger Federer heads to the O2 in great form, having won back-to-back events in Basel and Paris, and is a worthy favourite in our book.”

William Hill also go 11/4 about the British number one and Rupert Adams commented: “On current form it is difficult to choose between Federer and Murray but Roger was sublime last week and he is the favourite.”

If there is to be an upset the market suggests that last week’s beaten finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga might be the one to provide it. The Frenchman ranges from as short as 8/1 with Betfred to Sky Bet’s standout 14s.

Tomas Berdych, who knocked Murray out of the Paris Masters, is a 22/1 chance with bet365 while David Ferrer is out to 45/1 with Paddy Power.

The same firm offer a standout 90/1 about Mardy Fish, who completes the eight-strong line-up.

source: www.betting-zone.co.uk

SWEDEN CAN CONTINUE UNBEATEN RUN

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Sweden are the visitors to Wembley on Tuesday night as they bid to extend their 43-year unbeaten record against England.

That run covers 12 matches and we think they are a good price at 5/4 with Betfred in the double chance market to make it 13 on Tuesday night.

The Swedes qualified for Euro 2012 by finishing as the best runners-up in qualifying – second behind World Cup finalists Holland in Group E – and they look in decent shape for this summer’s tournament.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Johan Elmander form a strong partnership in attack and the likes of Martin Olsson, Sebastian Larsson and Ola Toivonen should provide more quality over the coming years.

Boss Erik Hamren has adopted a more attacking approach during his three-year tenure and they still look sturdy in defence with Jonas Olsson and Olof Mellberg among the backline.

England are, of course, on a high after the 1-0 win over Spain on Saturday but this represents a completely different test and Fabio Capello has already confirmed he will make eight changes.

John Terry, Gary Cahill, Bobby Zamora, Jack Rodwell and Kyle Walker are among the players to come in and that means some of the cohesion shown against the Spanish will be lost.

We also reckon the 1-1 draw against Ghana in March is worth mentioning as a pointer for this match.

The Three Lions failed to claim victory after they made wholesale changes following the qualifying win over Wales the previous weekend and Capello’s approach is very similar against the Swedes.

The Italian has already provided warning for England fans not to get carried away.

“Against Sweden, it will be really difficult,” he told the press.

“Their movement when they defend is very good and then they play on the counterattack.

“Also, now, after we have beaten Spain, they will come here thinking we are good, so they know they will have to play better – and so will we.”

Sweden did lose 2-0 to Denmark on Friday night but we reckon they will be eager to bounce back and they have the quality to trouble England’s much-changed line-up.

Hamren’s men have only lost three of their previous 13 away matches so take the 5/4 in the double chance market.

source: www.betting-zone.co.uk