Football
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Quite simply, it’s the world’s most popular and universal sport.

The biggest celebration of football in the world is the FIFA World Cup, which is held every four years in a different host country. 32 international teams compete to win the title of World Champions over a month-long tournament. There has been an international football tournament at every Olympics since 1900, excepting 1932. Since 1984, professional players were allowed to compete albeit countries had to abide by certain conditions.

Different continents also have their own international competitions. The European Championships are held every four years, as is the Copa América in South America. 4 billion people from 185 countries watch the latter tournament. The Africa Cup of Nations, which is held every two years, is increasing in popularity and highlights the pool of talent the continent has to offer. The Asia Cup is held every four years whilst the CONCACAF Gold Cup involves the sides from North and Central America. The OFC Nations Cup deals with the Oceania region. The winners of all these competitions face each other in the Confederations Cup.

Domestically, most countries have a league structure, with the English Premier League , Spanish La Liga and Italian Serie A being the three biggest. Germany’s Bundesliga and France’s Ligue 1 are also highly regarded. The strongest teams in these leagues – as well as cup winners – face each other in European action, with the Champions League being one of the world’s most watched domestic competitions. The Europa League , which is Europe’s secondary competition, is also highly sought.

There are many markets available – both ante-post and individual matches – for most leagues throughout the world. In play betting is becoming increasingly popular, as are the Asian Handicap markets. Bookmakers often encourage punters to bet on football by offering money-back specials or special offers on particular matches.

Gilks praises Holloway

Blackpool goalkeeper Matt Gilks has praised boss Ian Holloway ahead of Saturday’s Championship play-off final against West Ham, saying the squad have ‘total belief’ in him (Blackpool 3/1, draw 13/5, West Ham 10/11 with bet365).

Gilks was part of the side that won promotion through the play-offs in 2010 and, following an impressive season in the Premier League, was the subject of interest from a number of top-flight clubs after the Tangerines’ demotion last May.

Many of Blackpool’s key players left Bloomfield Road following their relegation but Holloway has once again shown his resilience by rebuilding his side around the likes of Tom Ince (10/3 to score at anytime with bet365) and Matty Phillips.

Gilks believes all the credit for their success this season must go to their charismatic manager and says the players ‘owe’ him for everything he’s done for them.

“We have total belief and trust in what he tells us to do. If we go up again, we owe massive, massive credit to him,” Gilks said.

“He’s a great coach and he wants people to be honest. It shows in this squad with how well we’ve done this year that that’s the policy we have. I can’t fault the guy.”

Carragher changes Liverpool targets

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has told his team-mates to forget about challenging for the Premier League title for the next few years and concentrate on finishing in the top four (Liverpool 15/8 – top four finish with bet365).

The Reds missed out on a top-four finish for the third year in a row this season and if it weren’t for their Carling Cup victory they wouldn’t even have any European football to look forward to next season.

An eighth-placed finish for Liverpool was deemed unsatisfactory by the club’s owners and they reacted by sacking manager Kenny Dalglish.

As a result the Merseyside outfit are looking for a third manager in as many years, with Roberto Martinez currently the 5/4 favourite to take over the Anfield hot seat.

Whether it is Martinez or someone else, owners Fenway Sports Group are likely to make a top-four finish the priority for next season as they look to recoup some of the money they have pumped into the club.

Carragher has now backed the owner’s aims for next season and believes a top-four finish would on a par with their domestic cup success this season.

Carragher told ITV Sport: “We have got a trophy and we got to a cup final, so in the domestic cup competitions we have had a fantastic season, but in the league we all know it was a disappointment.

“We all realise now the Champions League is very important. It’s the place to be seen and we are not there.

“Liverpool fans probably don’t want to hear it, but it is an achievement getting into the top four. It is different to what it was a long time ago.”

Liverpool’s hunt for the man to guide them into the top four has continued apace on Friday but it won’t be Brendan Rodgers after his club Swansea confirmed he had turned down the chance to talk to the Reds.

Solskjaer set for Villa talks

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is 1/6 to become the next manager of Aston Villa with bet365 after his Norwegian club Molde confirmed he was in talks to replace Alex McLeish.

The former Manchester United striker has had just one season as manager of Molde but in that time guided them to their first ever league title.

Solskjaer also earned himself a good reputation while working as a coach at Manchester United, helping out with the reserve team.

Despite his limited experience, Villa seem to have cherry-picked the 39-year-old to try and lift the club out of the doldrums following a terrible campaign under McLeish.

Villa owner Randy Lerner has sent his private plane to Norway so Solskjaer and his wife can fly to England and hold talks with club officials and Lerner.

Molde have now confirmed Solsjkaer is in talks with Villa, claiming the Premier League club registered an interest on Wednesday.

“Molde Football Club is aware of interest and contact from Aston Villa, and is aware that Aston Villa and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are talking together,” said a statement from the Norwegian club.

Sources close to Villa say there are other managerial candiates the club are looking at, with Paul Lambert 6/1 and Gus Poyet 25/1 with bet365 to take over if Solskjaer doesn’t accept the job.

Ballack views Bayern as favourites

Former Germany captain Michael Ballack believes Bayern Munich are the favourites to secure Champions League glory, but insists Chelsea can take the title (match betting – 90 mins – Bayern Munich 4/5, draw 11/4, Chelsea 10/3 with bet365).

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ballack, who has enjoyed spells with both Bayern and the Blues, feels the fact the final will take place at the Allianz Arena gives Bayern the advantage but believes Chelsea have the quality to secure their first ever Champions League crown.

“Everything looks like Bayern are favourites, they are playing at home which is a big advantage in a final,” he told Chelsea TV.

“They kicked out Real Madrid  in the semis, and although they were two tight games, they deserved it.

“They have a good team and were in the final two years ago, when they lost against Inter Milan,  so they’re very hungry.

“But Chelsea know their strengths and know their quality.

“They’ve had a difficult season but in the last few weeks have showed what they can do.

“They play exactly how they know they have to in order to win and they still have unbelievable quality.”

Chelsea have a number of players missing for the final on Saturday, defenders John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic are both suspended, as are midfielders Raul Meireles and Ramires.

The Blues also have fitness concerns over David Luiz and Gary Cahill, while Bayern will be without Luiz Gustavo, David Alaba and Holger Badstuber (To lift the trophy – Bayern Munich 4/9, Chelsea 15/8 with bet365).

Collison final boost for Hammers

West Ham midfielder Jack Collison has been passed fit for the Championship Play-Off final against Blackpool on Saturday despite suffering a dislocated shoulder in the semi-finals (match betting – Blackpool 14/5, draw 13/5, West Ham 19/20 with bet365).

The Welshman scored a brace in the 2-0 victory over Cardiff in the first-leg of their play-off semi-final tie, but sustained the injury in the second leg.

It was thought the midfielder would miss out on the final at Wembley on Saturday but Collison has now returned to training and boss Sam Allardyce has confirmed the 23-year-old could feature against the Seasiders.

“Everyone who has been playing recently is fit, the squad is strong and we just have one final day to select the side,” said ‘Big Sam’.

“It’s been a bit of a long wait since we played Cardiff but we are rested, eager and hopefully we can give our best performance of the season.”

The Hammers are considered by many to be the favourites ahead of the meeting, having beaten Blackpool twice by sizeable margins in the league this season, but Allardyce is wary of complacency (To lift the trophy – Blackpool 11/8, West Ham 4/7 with bet365).

He added: “We are the favourites with all the pressure on us, so we have to handle that as we have done all season. Hopefully we can deliver and beat Blackpool for third time this season.

“But it won’t be easy, we will treat them with the utmost respect and make sure we try to expose the weaknesses they have in their side if we can and as early as we can.”

Defoe delighted with England call

Spurs striker Jermain Defoe has revealed his delight at being included in the 23-man England squad for the European Championship (Euro 2012 outright – England 10/1 with bet365).

Defoe struggled to hold down a regular starting spot at White Hart Lane this season but still managed to find the net 17 times and the frontman believes his fitness work last summer played a big part in his selection for Euro 2012.

“I’m delighted because I knew last summer I had a massive season coming up and I worked hard on my fitness to be as sharp as possible,” he told the official Spurs website. “I think that work has paid off.”

Defoe has earned 46 international caps since making his England debut in 2004 and has 15 goals to his name for the Three Lions.

However, the striker has never featured in a European Championship and has only competed with England in one tournament, the 2010 World Cup.

Defoe is eager to make up for lost time and the 29-year-old is desperate to impress at Euro 2012 this summer (Top team goalscorer, England – Jermain Defoe 9/1 with bet365).

“I thought the 2010 World Cup was a fantastic experience and to have the opportunity to represent England at another major tournament is amazing,” Defoe added.

“I always remember watching the tournaments on TV, watching Euro 96 and to be part of it now is something special.”

Lahm desperate to avoid ‘awful’ loss

online footblal oddsBayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has not considered the prospect of losing the Champions League against Chelsea on home soil this Saturday (Bayern 4/9, Chelsea 15/8 Champions League outright with bet365).

The German giants are coming into the clash off the back of a disappointing end to the domestic season, finishing as runners-up to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga while losing the German Cup to the same opponents 5-2 last weekend.

However, much like Chelsea, they have managed to cast off the shackles of their league form in Europe, knocking Real Madrid out on penalties in the semi-finals.

Their reward for beating Los Blancos was not only a place in the Champions League final but also the chance to become European champions for a fifth time on home soil.

With the final being held at Bayern’s Allianz Arena, Lahm feels it is inconceivable his team will lose the final on home soil given their impressive record at their own ground.

Bayern have won all but three matches in all competitions in Munich this year and are 4/5 to win the Champions League final in 90 minutes, with the draw 11/4 and Chelsea 10/3.

Lahm says he would be devastated if Chelsea were able to beat them on Saturday and says victory on home soil would mean more to him than most players.

“Lose it in my house? That would be awful for all of us, but me in particular,” he said.

“I’m from Munich. I was born here in this town. As well as a Bayern player, I am a supporter and I know what it means to everyone connected with the club.”

He added: “I would have to think about locking myself away if it wasn’t for the fact that the national squad fly out to the European Championship straight after the final. Thank goodness for that. But I’m confident I wouldn’t have that problem, anyway. We are only thinking about winning.”

Liverpool begin managerial hunt

Liverpool’s owners are keen to appoint a manager who will be in charge at Anfield for the next four or five years but haven’t selected any potential candidates yet (Andre Villas-Boas 9/4 next Liverpool boss – bet365).

Tom Werner and John W Henry took the decision on Wednesday to call time on Kenny Dalglish’s second reign as Liverpool boss after just 16 months.

Despite ending the Reds six year wait for silverware an eighth place finish in the Premier League wasn’t good enough for the Liverpool board as they missed out on the Champions League for the third successive year.

The American owners have a number of names in mind and are thought to have spoken to former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, although he appears unlikely to take the job.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, who is 9/2 to take over at Anfield, is believed to be high up on the owners’ wish-list having impressed during his spell in charge of  Latics.

Liverpool are keen to get a new manager in as quickly as possible but won’t be turning to former boss Rafael Benitez, who’s name had also been mentioned in connection with the job.

Other names who have been mentioned in connection with the post are Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers (6/1), Marseille boss Didier Deschamps (20/1) and Sunderland’s Martin O’Neill (25/1).

Wilshere targets July return

Arsenal (10/1 Premier League 2012/13 outright with bet365) star Jack Wilshere has admitted he is hoping to be ready for the start of pre-season training after suffering a year of frustration.

The 20-year-old midfield star had to sit out the entire 2011-12 campaign for the Gunners with an ankle injury, an reccurrence of which happened earlier this year while rehabilitating and ended any dreams he had of representing England at Euro 2012.

Without Wilshere, Arsenal underwent a rollercoaster season but managed to finish third in the Premier League and ensure they play Champions League football in the next campaign.

Stuart Pearce is still reportedly keen on including the Arsenal man in his Team GB (11/2 To Win Outright) squad for the Olympics, but there seems a slim chance of that happening and Wilshere himself is looking to be back for pre-season training in July.

He told talkSPORT: “It has been a frustrating year for me personally.

“My ankle is fine now. I’m in every day trying to get fit for the start of pre-season and that is the aim – on the 9th of July to be training with the team.”

Fellow Arsenal midfielders Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott have been included in England’s squad for the summer’s Euro 2012 (England 10/1 To Win Outright with bet365) with the former called up by Roy Hodgson despite not representing the full team to date.

Carroll included in England Euro 2012 squad

Roy Hodgson has named his England (10/1 To Win Outright with bet365) squad for this summer’s European Championship and has included Andy Carroll among the travelling party, but there is no place for Rio Ferdinand.

The 33-year-old Manchester United defender has not been named in the 23-man squad for Poland and Ukraine but there is a place for John Terry, and Hodgson has confirmed Steven Gerrard will captain the side.

The new England manager has sprung a few surprises with the inclusion of the uncapped duo of Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy, while Wayne Rooney has been selected.

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll was named among the four forwards going to Poland and Ukraine and, with Rooney suspended for the first two games, he could have an important role to play for the national side.

Hodgson said he had spoken with Kenny Dalglish about the forward and what he heard from the Liverpool manager left him with “no further reservations” about Carroll.

“He is a different type of player to the others in the squad. He has that ability to hold the ball up, he has that aerial ability which is very useful, but he also has the ability to make runs behind defenders and use his strength and his power,” said Hodgson.

The England (9/2 To Reach Final with bet365) boss has cancelled the planned training camp in Spain, preferring for the players to meet in Manchester ahead of their friendly with Norway on May 26.