Is Ashley Cole the next Hodgson sacrifice?

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Rio Ferdinand and John Terry have played their last England match, and now it seems as Ashley Cole is joining the Ex-international. Can Luke Shaw get his first World Cup?

The veterans are ruled out one by one. First Rio Ferdinand was out; then Roy Hodgson announced that John Terry was a part of the past and with Ashley Coles lack of playing time in Chelsea, he looks to be the next to be sacked by England manager. 

The 33-year old defender have not started a Premier League match since 11 January and is being linked with a move away in the summer. César Azpilicueta is the favorite for José Mourinho, and he is not ready to give Cole a chance even though it can cost the defender his World Cup place:

"I cannot think of national teams at the same time as thinking bout my team," he said to BBC. 

Cole's 106 caps for England are being challenged by Everton's Leighton Baines who has been around the squad for a couple of years now. However, two other players are also pressuring Hodgson for a place in the World Cup squad; Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs and Southampton's Luke Shaw. 

While Gibbs is battling with Nacho Monreal for a place in the Arsenal starting line up, Luke Shaw has played 23 matches for Southampton this season, and is considered as one of the greatest England talents for years. The 18-year old are a future prospect for the England side, and will sooner of later earn his spot on the team. 

Leighton Baines are in front of the two younger defenders when it comes to starting for England against Denmark on the 5th of March as well as for the World Cup. However, either Shaw or Gibbs will probably replace the 33-year old Cole in the squad, with the first most likely to be called up. The new England is beginning to take shape.


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Match of the Week: Portugal v Sweden

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The European leagues are taking a break while the World Cup playoffs are taking place. One of the most interesting matches is between Portugal and Sweden on Friday.


Portugal v Sweden
World Cup Playoffs first match
Estádio de Luz
15-11-2013 @ 19.45 UK








How are the two teams form?

Portugal ended the group stages second in Group F only a point after Russia while Sweden ended second in Group C eight points after Germany. Sweden have not won against Portugal in their last four meetings, however, the last three have ended in draws - two of them goalless.

What are the probable line-ups?

Paulo Bento has called up uncapped William Carvalho as well as the two injury doubts Fabio Coentrao and Joao Pereira. Meanwhile, Swedens Erik Hamren has selected a squad much alike the one qualifying for the play offs, with Zlatan Imbrahovic as the star.

Patricio

Pereira - Costa - Pepe - Coentrão

Moutinho - Meireles

Nani - Ronaldo - Bruma

Postiga
________________________________

Ibrahimovic

Larsson - Elmander - Elm

Kallstrom - Wernbloom

Olsson - Antonsson - Granqvist - Olsson

Isaksson

What to expect from this match?

Erik Hamren has already been out saying Sweden are the underdogs in this match, which is partly true. There is no doubt that Portugal is a good team, but Sweden has a Zlatan in super form, and he will be important in this match. Portugal will put their trust in Ronaldo to deliver in this match, and it will truly be a battle between two of the Ballon d'Or nominated.

I expect to see a rather defensive Sweden, playing on the contras but also a Sweden getting most out of their chances with Zlatan as the main player. Portugal will be strong defensive, but will have to show offensive play at home to please the crowd. Could well end in a draw.

What are the odds?

Portugal are the favorites according to oddschecker.com, with betway holding the best odds at 3/4, while a Sweden win will give a 47/11 at betfair. If you think this will be another draw between the nations Unibet holds 14/5. 
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Friday Five: 5 goals from the Asian World Cup qualification

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The European part of the 2014 World Cup is almost over, and we have seen some great goals in our part of the world. We haven't seen much from the Asian qualification, but believe me; They know how to score goals!






5 - Bend it like Beckham?


4 - He kicks! He waits! He kicks! Nick Ward knows how to put in the back of the net! (1st goal)


3 - They call him the Japanese Ronaldo


2 - Hammadi Hammad Abdullah - Who knew Iraq had a star player?


1 - One word: Wonderful







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FIFPro will not allow their members to play in Qatar

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The upcoming president for the International Players Association, FIFPro, will not allow his members to play in Qatar 2022.

As you may have read on this blog last week, the World Cup in Qatar 2022 is a reality. However, it is not decided whether the tournament will be played during the winter or summer.

If you ask the upcoming FIFPro-president Philippe Piat, there can be no talks about a summer World Cup.

- Playing in Qatar when it's 45-50 degrees Celsius is not serious, and not only for the 22 players. There are other people involved, like the tourists.

If the FIFA committee decides to keep the summer World Cup, FIFPro and it's members will boycott the event.




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Match of the Week: England v Poland

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With Friday's win against Montenegro England is one step closer to the World Cup in Brazil. The last step towards the tournament is the match against Poland, which will decide whether the Three Lions will have to go through the knock out matches or if they can book tickets for the Brazil flight. The Match of the Week is between England and Poland.

England - Poland
World Cup Qualification UEFA Group H
Wembley Stadium
15-10-2013 @ 20.00 UK







How are the two teams form?

England took an important victory on Friday against Montenegro, but still needs a win to keep their 1st in the Group. The match against Montenegro showed a determined England team that was in it to win it. Montenegro is not an a bad team, but on paper Poland is better. However, England is unbeaten in their 5 last internationals!

Poland lost against Ukraine in the last match, and is 4th in the group and can not qualify for the World Cup any longer. However, Robert Lewandowski have sworn that Poland will not lay down and let England roll over them.

The last meeting between the two nations ended in a draw; Poland have never won against England.

What are the probable line ups?

Raheem Sterling has been called up for the final match of the qualification while Ashley Cole definitely is out. Poland, on the other hand, will probably play the same starting XI as they did against Ukraine as they will play to win against England.

Hart

Smalling - Jagielka - Cahill - Baines

Carrick

Lampard - Wilshere

Welbeck - Sturridge

Rooney
______________________________________

Lewandowski

Klich - Krychowiak - Blaszczykowski

Sobota - Lewandowski

Wojtkowiak - Jedrzejczyk - Szukala - Glik

Boruc

What to expect from this match?

As Robert Lewandowski has sworn, Poland is not going to let England just walk over them. The Three Lions are sure to end at least as 2nd, but will do whatever they can to win against Poland.

Robert Lewandowski is Poland's best player at the moment, and if England manages to mark him so tight he won't get a chance in front of the goal. The two teams strenghts are the pacey wings, and Sturridge and Welbeck will have to support Rooney with some in-depth runs.

My prediction on the game will be a small 1-0 victory to the home side. 

What are the odds?

Paddy Power holds a 2/7 odds for a England victory while a draw between the nations will give back 11/2 at Bet365. If you're hoping for a Poland win you should play at Coral woth a 14/1 odds.




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Why Qatar is so wrong

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The 2022 World Cup will be held in Qatar FIFA confirmed last week, opening the door for the competition to be played in November-December. But, are Qatar the right host?

The small country with all the oil was chosen as hosts for the World Cup in 2022 three years ago, and critics have been shouting at FIFA ever since. However, now it is for real; Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup and there is nothing to do about it.

Critics says Qatar bought the World Cup, and given FIFA’s history of corruption this could very well be true. Fact is that some of the people voting on the Arab state have been removed from their position in FIFA as a result of corruption regarding other cases. Furthermore, FIFA have launched their own investigation of the Qatar-bid to find out if money was involved in the voting.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter denies every talk of corruption in his organisation and claims that political pressure from the European countries had an impact on the choice of Qatar. According to Blatter, different countries Ministers have asked their FIFA officials to vote for Qatar for economic reasons. Surprisingly, none of the European countries have been criticising Qatar for their way of treating the millions of workers building the stadiums for the World Cup.

This brings us on to a far worse problem with hosting the World Cup in Qatar. Reports from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) tell that millions of workers in Qatar are treated as slaves and that guest workers have no rights. Furthermore, they are promised a safe work and great pay when they leave their home country, but as soon as they enter Qatar their passports are taken from them and they are forced to work from early morning to late evening. ITUC have asked Sepp Blatter to do something about it, but so far nothing has happened despite the President have promised to talk with Al-Thari, the royal family.

From the football point of view, a World Cup in Qatar during the summer will mean that matches have to be played in 40-50 degrees heat. This is not acceptable for the players, fans or officials and Blatter have already admitted that it might have been a mistake to hold the world’s biggest sport event in the country. However, he keeps determined to play the World Cup in the winter months so Qatar can stay as hosts. This will be a problem for some of the biggest leagues in Europe, and both the English Premier League, the French Ligue 1, the German Bundesliga and the Italian Serie A have denied that they can accept a winter tournament. This could result in national teams full of reserves, should the 4 leagues decided to keep playing during the World Cup. Well, it opens the door for Qatar to win the World Cup.

When it comes to it, the Arab state should never have been giving the World Cup. A country that might have bought their way to the host role and at the same time violates several human rights, should never have the chance of hosting such a significant event. Given the weather conditions in the country, FIFA should never have considered Qatar as a host and at the moment things are just getting worse. Challenging some of the biggest leagues in the world is not the way to make football fans accept FIFA’s choice, and I think most of us are hoping for a miracle. A miracle that will take the World Cup to a better place.


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Match of the Week: England v Montenegro

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England needs a win against Montenegro to keep their 1st in Group H while Friday's opponent can bring themselves in the top of the group if they get 3 points at Wembley. Match of the Week is between England and Montenegro.

England v Montenegro
World Cup Qualification UEFA Group H
Wembley Stadium
11-10-2013 @ 20.00 UK








How are the two teams form?

England is currently 1st in Group H with 1 point to number 2 and 3; Ukraine and Montenegro. It is, therefore, a very important match for the Three Lions as they walk into Wembley on Friday. One of the big questions before the match is Joe Hart who have not been so convincing in the last couple of weeks for Manchester City. However, a goal scorer of 25-3 witnesses that England has some top strikers, and when it comes to it; football is about scoring one more goal than the opponent.

Montenegro played a draw against Poland in September and is as mentioned 3rd in the group. The Balkan country has played well in the qualification and only lost 1 match against Ukraine. During the last meeting between the two sides, Montenegro battled their way back after Rooney scored an early goal and showed that they are capable of playing up against some of the best nations in the world.

What are the probable lineups?

No big surprises in the Roy Hogdson's squad before the two matches. Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend can get their first cap while England might be without Ashley Cole as he is injured with rib problems. Montenegro have called up to former and to current Premier League players, as Simon Vuckevic and Stefan Savic and Stevan Jovetic, (Manchester City) and Elsad Zverotic are part of the squad.

Hart

Jagielka - Cahill - Jones - Baines

Carrick - Gerrard

Welbeck - Rooney - Wilshere

Sturridge
__________________________________

Beqiraj

Kasalica - Jovetic - Vucinic

Novakovic - Zverotic

Bozovic - Basa - Dzudovic - Savic

Bozovic

What to expect from this match?

As mentioned earlier, Montenegro has shown that they can play up with England, and they can do it again on Friday. Furthermore, England form is  curvier than Kim Kardashian, and you never know if they have a good or bad day.

However, this is one of the most important matches for the Three Lions why I expect them to step up a and take all three points against Montenegro. That said, we probably should not expect to see an exciting and attacking match but more or less a tactical and boring fight.

What are the odds?

BET365 holds England as favorites with a 2/5 bet, while a draw gives 19/5 at BetVictor. BetFair is the place to spend your money if you believe in a Montenegro victory as they holds a 49/6 bet on the visitors.


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Match of the Week: Scotland v Belgium

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The European football leagues are taking a break while the national teams are fighting for qualification for the World Cup in Brazil. Therefore, this week's match of the week is the international match between Scotland and Belgium.

 
Worl Cup Qualification Europe Group A
Hampden Park
06-09-2013 @ 20.00 UK

How are the two teams form?

Scotland, currently fifth in thegroup are welcoming first positioned Belgium in a very important match for both sides. While Scotland needs three points to get near the third, Belgium desperately wants to vitalpoints to keepdistance to Croatia.

Scotland won their first group stage match in June when they meet Croatia while Belgium, so far are unbeaten.The last meeting between the two sidesended in a 2-0 win to Belgium on goals by Christian Bentekeand Vincent Kompany.

What are the probable line ups?

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has announced his first squad after the Scotland star Kenny Miller's retirement. Furthermore, Ikechi Anya has been called up for his first intenational duty. Meanwhile, Belgium has announced a squad with a number of well known names from the Premier League...

McGregor

Hutton - Martin - Mulgrew - Whittaker

Morrisson - Brown - Snodgrass - Forest

Maloney - Naismith
_____________________________________

Lukaku - Benteke - Hazard

Witsel - Fellaini - Dembélé

Alderweireld - Van Buyten - Vertonghen - Pocognoli

Mignolet

What to expect from this match?

On paper, Belgium has the strongest squad and will go into this match as favorites. That said, Scotland has the ability to surprise as we saw against Croatia earlier this summer. However, Belgium is just that better than Croatia and the team have really developed as more players have had their breakthrough in European top clubs. When it comes to predicting a winner, I can only see Belgium in this match.

What are the odds?

BetVictor holds the best odds on a Scotland victory with a 17/4 while Paddy Power gives 3/4 for a Belgium win. A draw gives 11/4 at Betway,

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