Harry Redknapp

Whichever Manchester club signs Robin van Persie will win the Premier League.

Robin was so good last year that I really do see him as the kingmaker in the title battle.

Him and Wayne Rooney would be as good a pair as you can get, while City would have just about the finest array of attacking talent one club has ever assembled.

Van Persie is just a fantastic talent who can change a game on his own. Think of Spurs' 5-2 defeat at Arsenal last year, Robin single-handedly turned the game upside-down and he did it time and time again throughout the season.

The Dutchman is odds-against to stay at the Emirates and I think that's right as I can't see him staying at Arsenal. The sums just don't add up. Do you take a £25m hit on transfer fee and wages for one year of RvP or sell him for £20m and move on? It's an easy decision for me.

And, if that happens, Arsenal will have a real fight on their hands to hold on to their place in the top four, which will be a close fought battle between the top London clubs.

Chelsea come into the season as European champions but their transfers this summer leave me cold. I don't doubt the ability of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Marko Marin but three small and skilful midfielders weren't what they needed now that Didier Drogba has gone and you have to question whether Fernando Torres can do it all on his own upfront.

Talking of small midfielders, Arsenal's new acquisition, 5ft 6in Spaniard Santiago Carzola, is a fantastic player who I tried to get him for Spurs a few years back. Whether he's good enough to keep Arsenal in the top four, though, I don't know. I still like the Spurs squad, and even if they sell Luka Modric they've got enough to finish in the leading quartet again. I'd rather back them at 3.0 than the Gunners at 1.6.

Below that lot I see Liverpool rising back into the top six and Newcastle dropping out to seventh. Brendan Rodgers has one of the world's greatest midfielders in Steven Gerrard, a fantastic goalkeeper and talented squad studded with new signings at his disposal. They've got the players and they should oust Newcastle from the top six.

And beyond that I don't have much hope for anyone else with the top seven clear of the chasing pack. Aston Villa are getting weaker, they were always sixth or seventh but I can't see them doing it this year. Everton are going to miss Jack Rodwell and Tim Cahill.

I think seven or eight teams could go down and it will be a great achievement if Southampton, Norwich and Swansea can avoid the drop.

But this season is going to be all about van Persie. As well as winning the title I like him to follow up for the golden boot.

The amount of ammunition he'll get at either club is just scary, 11.0 is a nice price and I'll be lumping on. Just think, if he signed for United he'd be 4-1. In the same market you can't get away from Wayne Rooney - he's worth a saver at 9.6 - and I'd take a chance on Luis Suarez at 18.0. How many times did he hit the post last year?! He's worth an interest.


For more exclusive Harry Redknapp content, go to http://betting.betfair.com/football/harry-redknapp/

Betfair customers can hardly split Germany and Spain in the Euro 2012 betting with both trading at an identical 2.76 today and it's hard to argue with that.

After all, Spain are reigning champions and Germany are irresistible. A clash between the two in the final would be something special, wouldn't it?

Having tipped Spain to win as well as a Spain-Germany final at 8.0 I'm feeling pretty confident, but I couldn't put anyone off new to the market having a bet on Germany now.

They've looked the most complete team so far. Well-balanced, knitted together by the Bayern Munich boys and with top performers in every department. From Philipp Lahm at the back to Mario Gomez upfront they are a bit frightening to be honest!

Italy were good last night and they'll give Germany a game, but England hardly tested the Italians and they weren't that impressive qualifying from Group C. At 1.96 Jogi Low's men are a tempting bet.

After his quarter-final performance, Germany will get at Andrea Pirlo, pressuring him like a defence tries to sack a quarterback in American football, and I don't see him having the same impact.

My correct score bet here is a 2-0 win for Germany at 9.2.

It's no surprise to see Portugal at the semi-final stage. I put them up as my dark horse tip and here they are in the semis, up against Spain.

Cristiano Ronaldo has hogged the headlines with three goals, but there's more to Portugal than just the second best player in the world! Nani has looked a danger and I like the Real Madrid duo, Pepe and Fábio Coentrão, at the back.

In fact, the more I think about it the closer this match looks. Spain haven't been entirely convincing at Euro 2012. The indecision about who plays upfront is strange and the back four is average. Yes, France were well beaten, but I said early on that the French weren't special so I shan't read too much into that.

This one will be tight and don't put it past Portugal to spring a shock.

My correct score bet, however, will be on 1-1 at 7.6.

For more exclusive Harry Redknapp content, go to http://betting.betfair.com/football/harry-redknapp/

England have another penalty shootout defeat to add to the collection but I think everyone will accept we were second best.

And however close the result looks on paper we know the reality was that we were well beaten in most departments. It's a depressing way to go out as we were dominated by an Italian team that hasn't looked that special at Euro 2012.

There's always a period of soul searching after we exit a big tournament, but we have to look at the performance and act on it at club and national level because we can't accept that this is as good as we are.

In Andrea Pirlo, Italy had a magician on the pitch last night, but England do have one of our own in the shape of Jack Wilshere and that's one reason to believe we can improve in the future.

I wouldn't advocate wholesale change to the England squad as I thought a lot of our best players were the older guys but we need to change our thinking in the Premier League and start producing youth teams that actually want to play football at international level.

Don't blame Roy Hodgson though, he did the best he could at Euro 2012 with limited time. We were hard to beat and well organised, but hopefully now he can change the way England play and that goes right back to the youth teams.

We have got to produce teams who can play the game properly from schoolboy level right through to the senior team. We need to start producing coaches who want to play football.

It is going to be a long-term thing, I'm afraid.

The best team won and there wasn't much England could do about it. They were in a completely different class to us.

It's the same old story in international football, you have to keep the ball and we couldn't do that. Italy dominated possession and, in Pirlo, they had a man who could just run the game. He was on another level to everyone else on the pitch

It was almost complete dominance, and to be fair, I didn't see that coming. I didn't particularly rate this Italy side - they'd lost three straight coming into the tournament and weren't too impressive getting out of Group C.

What does that say about England then? Well, our failings were familiar as we've seen them time and again over the last few years when England play the best. We can't hold onto the ball and are reduced to containing and defending with our lives. It's hard to see it improving all of a sudden and as I say, guys like Steven Gerrard and John Terry have been our best performers so you can't go getting rid of the older players just for the sake of it.

But something has to change in this country if we are going to build teams who can win at international level.

Teams in the Premier League have to want to play proper football, passing it around properly. Swansea did it last year, and even though they were relegated Blackpool did their best without quite having the players to carry it through.

In Italy they don't have teams who just lump it up the pitch from back to front. They play their way up there and it's the same in Spain. At the moment we give the ball away too often and just don't play.

So it's over to Roy now. He has four years to stamp his style on the national team and set-up.

And maybe with Wilshere to the fore and a few of the old guard around him he can do it.

For more exclusive Harry Redknapp content, go to http://betting.betfair.com/football/harry-redknapp/

'England, Euro 2012 Group D winners' - sounds nice doesn't it?

We had a little bit of luck on our side last night, but we got the job done again, to make it two wins from three and top spot in our group (landing one of Harry's pre-tournament bets).

And with the bonus of Sweden beating France, we've been handed a quarter-final against Italy rather than Spain, but let's not get ahead of ourselves, Sunday night is going to be tough and tight. I don't know about you, but I'm thinking penalties already!

I see the Betfair markets are having a tough time splitting us (Editor's note: England are currently 3.0 to win the match, Italy 2.84; England are 9.6 to win Euro 2012, Italy 9.8) and I'm in the same boat. This is a real 50/50 game for me, with both teams capable of cancelling each other out. I think it'll be low-scoring and a real nail-biter.

But before we get stuck into that, let's deal with last night.


Gerrard is one of the best

First things first, we didn't keep the ball particularly well against Ukraine and there were some sticky moments, particularly so early on, and of course that disallowed goal.

But there were enough positives for me, the biggest being the performance of Steven Gerrard. The Liverpool captain is one of the world's best, he can do everything and he showed us that last night. He is a true competitor, he attacks the ball and I think he's enjoying the responsibility of captaincy. He is the complete all-round footballer, he's got the lot and, most importantly, he plays for us!

Gerrard is having a superb tournament and is one of those players who gives you real belief in your team. That partnership with Scott Parker is key and they'll both have to be at their best against Italy.

Everyone in Ukraine will be feeling pretty down after being on the wrong end of another bad call in a big tournament. The hosts did score an equaliser last night, but it seems there's always a moment like this when the Euros or World Cup comes round, and it's usually awarded against us.

That's got plenty of people talking about luck and it's true that it can play a major part in this game - Chelsea showed that in the Champions League - but you can have all the luck in the world, and it'll be no good to you if you don't perform.

Ukraine should have been awarded a goal but let's not forget we were 1-0 up at the time. England had got themselves into a winning position and even with the equaliser we were still going through. Of course, Ukraine could have kicked on, but we will never know. I feel for them, but that's the game.

I'm really not worried about Wayne Rooney. He wasn't at his best, but he is a threat - he scored the only goal of the game, don't forget - and a true world-class talent. Don't worry, we'll see the best of him.


The Italian challenge

Unless we suffer a training ground injury or two, I can't see any changes for the Italy game. Roy has tinkered with the XI a little bit, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Andy Carroll each getting a run-out in the group games, but otherwise it's all been the same guys in there. James Milner has started all three with Theo Walcott making an impact as a sub and that'll be the same against Italy, I'm sure. Carroll and Walcott are scary players to bring in late on with that combination of power and pace. If we're trailing, Italy will fear them.

We know what England bring now. We're organised, hard-working, solid and strong. The defence is settled and the right and leftbacks give us attacking options; Gerrard and Parker are a marvellous base and there's pace and trickery up top.

I don't think we'll see bundles of goals but the markets have got that one figured out (under 2.5 goals is 1.55). I'm swerving that.

One option that could reward is a back of John Terry or Joleon Lescott to score. We've seen how good England are from dead-ball deliveries and with Giorgio Chiellini missing a goal for either wouldn't surprise me.

I've said this'll be tough and tight and the half-time score of 0-0 and 1-1 are bets for me at 2.5 and 10.0.

Finally, I've already mentioned penalties and at double figures for either team to win on spot kicks after extra time I've got to have a couple of quid on. They're a lottery so I'll be backing both teams. If England go out at least I'll take a profit with me!


Recommended Bets

0.5 pt Back Johh Terry and Joleon Lescott to score
2pt Back 0-0 halftime score @ 2.5
1pt back 1-1 halftime score @ 10.0
0.5 pt Back England to win on penalties @ 11.0
0.5 pt Back Italy to win on penalties @ 10.0


For more exclusive Harry Redknapp content, go to http://betting.betfair.com/football/harry-redknapp/

Three great goals and three points - what more could you want?

England's win against Sweden was terrific. After an eventful week for me, I really enjoyed watching us and I thought we were superb in attack. Before the tournament, I said organisation in defence was key but, against the Swedes, England showed how threatening they are up front. Every other team at the Euros will have taken note and nobody will fancy playing us.

I was delighted to see Theo Walcott score and Danny Welbeck's finish on the turn was exquisite. But my favourite goal was England's first. Shrewd move from Roy to bring in Andy Carroll. He did his homework, knew the Swedes were vulnerable in the air and the way Carroll rose above Andreas Granqvist to power in his header was devastating. Top cross from Steven Gerrard again too.

So what does Roy do now? With Wayne Rooney available for Tuesday's match against Ukraine, there's no way he can be left out. I'd play him alongside Welbeck, who gives England good movement. We could reap the rewards of the understanding the pair have developed at Manchester United. Wayne is raring to go so I'm backing him to score. With the added threat of Carroll off the bench, England have a scary looking attack.

I'd start Theo on the right. I've always thought he had bags of talent, ever since I gave him his debut at Southampton. I have a lot of time for him as a footballer and a lad. Bringing him on was an excellent, decisive decision from Roy which changed the game. Theo's pace will rattle any defence. France opened the Ukraine up several times and they won't fancy Theo running at them. I'd always start him and I think he has to come in at the expense of James Milner.

Praise too for Scott Parker and Steven Gerrard. Scottie has come of age in the past two seasons. He was terrific for me at Tottenham and has cemented his position in the national side - his job is to break up play and drive us on but what a hit that was against Sweden. Gerrard has had two very good games at the Euros and his cross for Carroll showed what pin-point accuracy he possesses. Frankly, I wouldn't swap England's front six for any at this tournament, including Spain.

I'm not getting carried away. John Terry and Joleon Lescott are very good headers of the ball so it's unusual to see us concede at set-pieces. They're still getting to know each other but I think they're developing a solid platform and Roy will work on tightening up for Tuesday. Ashley Cole has had two great games and, despite his mistakes against Sweden, Glen Johnson is enjoying a good tournament. I'd still rather have our back five than any other. Combine that with our quality attack and it's easy to see that England are going very well.

We'll beat the Ukraine. They'll have their home fans roaring and Andriy Shevchenko will be determined to have a glorious swansong but I'm not impressed. They were lucky to win their first match and France exposed their defensive weaknesses. The hosts need a win whereas we only need a draw. They'll go for it, that will leave them exposed and Theo and Ashley Young could terrorise them on the break. Andriy Pyatov looks dodgy in goal and if we're as rampant as we were against Sweden then we could be ahead at half-time and full-time. Come on England.

Recommended Bets

Back England @ 2.22
Back England/England @ 3.75 for half-time/full-time
Back Wayne Rooney to score


For more exclusive Harry Redknapp content, go to http://betting.betfair.com/football/harry-redknapp/

Every team has now played at least once at the tournament and from what I've seen so far I won't be changing my original prediction of Spain to win.

But I think they might need to start playing one of the Fernandos upfront and it would be nice if they chose Llorente as that man - and not just because I tipped him up to be top scorer after all! Everyone could see what a difference Fernando Torres made to the team when he came on. He's not in any kind of form, but Torres had three golden chances to nick that game from the Italians. Llorente would surely have nailed one of those chances. I can't see Vicente del Bosque making the same mistake over and over, and I think Spain will improve with a striker on the pitch for their next two group games.

I know it's not original but, away from Spain, it's Germany who have caught my eye. They just looked like a top side against Portugal - strong, organised and solid in all positions.

In Germany's group I prefer Portugal's chances of overhauling Denmark, and I'm not writing them off yet. The Netherlands have got it all to do now. There's danger upfront but I'm not sure about the defence or midfield. Mark van Bommel was a great player but he's not getting any younger and they just look a bit limited in certain positions.

Italy played well against Spain. The manager chose three centre-halves and that was interesting. They've got ability upfront too, both Antonio Cassano and Antonio di Natale looked good. They're a possible quarter-final opponent for England, and I've said that we could beat anyone from Group C, other than Spain, but this would be very close.

I've talked about France here, but I'll say it again - I wasn't overly impressed. Like the Netherlands, the attack is world-class but the rest of it lacks class - can a defence with Philippe Mexès and Adil Rami really win Euro 2012? They can do it without my money on them!

So, Spain v Germany is the final in my eyes and at 8.0 on Betfair I'm happy to have a few quid on that.

Recommended Bet
1pt Back a Spain-Germany final @ 8.0

For more exclusive Harry Redknapp content, go to http://betting.betfair.com/football/harry-redknapp/

First game out of the way and I have to say 'job done'!

Before the tournament, we all knew the opener was going to be the toughest game but I thought the boys acquitted themselves well, and did what they had to do. Beating the French would have been something else but a point apiece is fair and we've got a platform to build on now, and from what I saw of Sweden we should be winning the next fixture.

Against France we took the lead, looked very solid in general, and it was no shame to concede once to an attack containing Franck Ribery, Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri.

But there were good displays from the Three Lions right across the pitch and I think we have to give the lads a pat on the back and show them a bit more respect. We tend to over-rate other teams and downplay our own talents in this country but we weren't outclassed by France (editor's note: third favourites for Euro 2012 at 10.0) and other than that attacking trio and Mathieu Debuchy at rightback, I didn't see any players who you'd want in the England team. No disrespect to them but there's not many I'd want holding a British passport!

However optimistic I am about England though, one thing is for sure: with Ukraine beating Sweden this is all going to come down to the final game against the co-hosts in a week's time. Not that I'm getting ahead of myself, we need to focus on Sweden and make sure we get three points on Friday night. I know Roy will have the boys thinking about that one.

Sweden looked average last night and I really fancy us for the win, especially at odds-against on Betfair. We all know about Zlatan Ibrahimovic but there's not that much quality around him - Anders Svensson played for me at Southampton and he's 35 now! He came on for half an hour last night, while Olef Mellberg, 34, played all 90 minutes. I'm not sure what Jonas Olsson was doing on the bench, he's a player I really like for West Brom and I don't think he'd have been caught out like Mellberg was for Ukraine's first goal.

There's not enough talent the Swedish lineup and I think England have to go for the win from the second game in Group D. I predicted we'd draw with France so I'm delighted to have recommended a winner in my first column, and I'm going to attempt to keep the run going with a bet on England to win on Friday night.

There were plenty of solid performers in all areas for England and I think that difficult-to-beat setup is going to work for us. We'll start to add more flair when Wayne Rooney returns.

In attack, Roy sprung a surprise on us with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and he had a decent debut without setting the world alight, though there were a couple of flashes of real attacking class. I like Danny Welbeck, he has improved this year, and I know Fergie rates him big time. He runs all day long, works hard and kept the French centrebacks on their toes. Ashley Young got between the lines at times and put in a good shift.

In the middle, Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker gave us a solid platform, though Scottie might have to adjust his game because he was out on his feet in the last 20 minutes. It was hot in Donetsk but I don't think we're at a huge disadvantage against the Group D opposition, certainly not Sweden anyway.

I particularly liked what I saw at the back, especially Glen Johnson, who got forward plenty of times and looked a real danger. The five are a good unit - so let's back them to keep a clean sheet against the Swedish attack.

In my first column I said England can make it as far as the semi-finals and I still believe it. It obviously just depends on who tops Group C, but we haven't played ourselves out of winning Group D. That was a nice, professional performance from England last night - let's believe in the boys and back them to build on it against Sweden on Friday night.

Recommended Bets
3pts Back England to win @ 2.2
2pts Back an England clean sheet @ 2.8
1pt Back Danny Welbeck to score

For more exclusive Harry Redknapp content, go to http://betting.betfair.com/football/harry-redknapp/

Spain have been there and done it at every tournament in the last four years and they can do it all over again in Poland/Ukraine. Yes, they're favourites, but I'm backing the Spanish to win Euro 2012.

And, I fancy Fernando Llorente to be the man who fires them to a third major tournament victory in a row.

If you want to follow my advice you can back Spain at 3.85 on Betfair and Llorente at 22.0.

Fernando Torres is a shorter price than the Athletic Bilbao forward, but 17 La Liga goals compares very favourably to the Chelsea man's six and I think Llorente can win the battle of the Fernandos.

Uncontroversial, I know, but Germany are surely going to be Spain's nearest challengers and likely final opponents. Sometimes it pays to keep things simple!

Elsewhere, if we're looking for a winner bet, it's the big name teams for me.

It's almost unfair how much attacking talent the Dutch have! Robin van Persie, Klaas Jan Huntelaar (who I tried to sign for Spurs), Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Rafael van der Vaart are just scary and they're worthy third favourites.

There's always a group of death and you have to feel for Portugal in Group B, but they could well be the dark horses in the betting. Cristiano Ronaldo is the second best player in the world, but he has to have a great tournament in him and he could come alive here off the back of Real Madrid's La Liga title win. At 20.0 the layers are taking a big risk.

I'm happy to bypass Italy at this tournament, and I think they might not make it out of Group C. A mate of mine told me he had a bet on Mario Balotelli for top scorer, but I'm not so sure I'd follow him with that one (editor's note: you can back the Manchester City man at 36.0 to finish top of the pile).

Plenty of people have written off the Republic of Ireland but I think they'll give anyone a game. The knockout stages are realistic - honest! And if they get there we could have an England-Republic of Ireland quarter-final to savour.

That would be lovely, but, I don't see either side winning the whole thing. Once again, Spain are my selection. There's quality right through the squad and even at 3.85 they're a decent enough price for me.

Recommended Bets
3pts Back Spain to win Euro 2012 @ 3.85
1pt Back Fernando Llorente for top goalscorer @ 22.0

For more exclusive Harry Redknapp content, go to http://betting.betfair.com/football/harry-redknapp/

Forget the negativity, doubts and Wayne Rooney's absence from the first two games - England can go further than you think at Euro 2012.

Think of Chelsea in this year's Champions League (editor: matched at 80.0 to win the tournament on Betfair after John Terry was sent off at Barcelona) and you realise that anything can happen and nothing is impossible in football.

A warning though: I'm optimistic and I always am with England, I thought we were going to win the World Cup in South Africa!

That said, I'm not putting my money on the Three Lions right now, Group D is tough and that is one reason not to steam into England at the current 16.0 on Betfair - they might well be available to back at a bigger price once the tournament is under way.

But I would never write us off like some have already done. Just remember Chelsea.

Like the Blues, our success will be built on a very solid defence and I'm not sure there's a stronger back five at the tournament. I wouldn't swap them for any other unit anyway.

Joe Hart is one of the world's best, and there isn't a better attacking left-back than Ashley Cole. Glen Johnson is a danger on the right while John Terry and Joleon Lescott bring experience, determination and reliability to the mix.

Rio Ferdinand isn't there, and it's tough on the lad. I love Rio, I signed him when he was a boy, and for me him and Terry are the best central defenders England have. But Roy's made his decision and you've got to support him.

First up is France and - like most opening games at a big one - I think it'll be tight and low scoring.

It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if it finished in a draw, and it's my opening England bet at 3.2. That result would suit both teams and if it's 0-0 after 70 minutes I can't see either side bombing on to get the three points.

And the 0-0 is a tempting option for my second bet, but I'll play Under 1.5 goals instead . Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker sitting in front of that defence makes us very tight and I can't see the French breaking us down more than once. They've got great players but let's not overdo it. We can win this group and if we do that, I fancy us to reach the semis. We're organised and difficult to beat - a good mix.

It's no great revelation, but our problem is going to be in attack. I think Roy will go with Andy Carroll as the striker with Ashley Young in the hole and leaves the wingers as the only selection issues. Theo Walcott must take the right, and then it's down to James Milner or Stewart Downing on the left.

Stewart's had his critics this season, but if Carroll is the selection, I think his Liverpool team-mate must be played and told to deliver cross after cross in Andy's direction. With the personnel we have I really don't think there's any other way we can play.

So, there it is, a tough and tight opening game and a bit nervy no doubt, but let's get excited. Apologies Sandra, but I'm going to be glued to Euros for the next three weeks. And I hope I'm cheering England right to the end.

Recommended Bets
3pts Back a draw between France and England @ 3.2
2pts Back Under 1.5 goals @ 2.6
2pts Back England to win Group D @ 3.35
1pt Back England to go out at the semi-final stage @ 7.0

For more exclusive Harry Redknapp content, go to http://betting.betfair.com/football/harry-redknapp/