Spain captain, Casillas, has long been thought of as the best stopper in the business. However, Manchester City’s Hart has shone again, this season, for both club and country, strengthening his own case as one of the world’s best.

Both Hart and Casillas will be integral to their country’s hopes in this summer’s European Championships; the Spaniard appears more likely than his English rival to taste Euro 2012 glory.

While Spain will be looking to make it three successive major titles, England will go into the tournament on the back of a turbulent few months – with their most optimistic fans doubting that Roy Hodgson’s men have a genuine chance of challenging for this summer’s title.

James believes Spain’s superb record over the past few years has been responsible for elevating Casillas’ reputation, making it clear he believes that Hart has the best all-round game in world football.

“Joe is better than Casillas”, James said. “He [Casillas] is recognised as number one because he’s won the World Cup, European Championship, and has been fortunate to be at one of the biggest clubs in Europe for years.”

“But Joe’s distribution is 10 times better than Casillas. He makes all the saves; he takes all the crosses. He can do much more than Casillas.” Spain are the current favourites to claim the European Championship in the Euro 2012 betting odds.

Keep up with the latest developments ahead of Euro 2012 with Betfred news.

Post from: Keeper Skool

Hart the New #1 – James

The England international was substituted after just 12 minutes, following an awkward tumble in the opening stages. It has since been confirmed that he has injured his hamstring.

Roberto Di Matteo’s defensive options are already limited, ahead of the final, after both John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic picked-up suspensions in the Nou Camp. If fit, Cahill will be guaranteed to start in the final.

“I’m hoping it’s not as bad as we first thought”, he told Sky Sports News. “I just felt a pop in my hamstring. I just pray the scan is all right.”

Chelsea went into the match as severe underdogs in the betting odds; after scraping a 1-0 victory over Barcelona in the first-leg, it was expected that the Catalan side would play them off the park in the return leg.

Like in the game at Stamford Bridge, the Blues chose to frustrate Pep Guardiola’s men by sitting deep and hitting them on the counter-attack. Despite Terry’s early dismissal, Chelsea stuck to their guns, and ground out a 2-2 draw to seal a place in the final in Munich.

Cahill has praised his side’s performance and admits that he was amazed by how well they defended as a unit. “The lads were absolutely outstanding; the way they stuck together and ground out the result”, he said. “It was amazing. Phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal.”

Post from: Keeper Skool

Cahill ‘Praying’ for Hamstring Recovery

The Citizens went into the weekend five points behind their city rivals, Manchester United, but, with the Red Devils surprisingly drawing 4-4 at home to Everton, Mancini’s men are now once again in touching distance of the top.

The two meet at the Etihad, next Monday, in a game that could decide the title, and with City currently possessing a better goal difference, victory would make them clear favourites to win their first championship since 1968.

However, Mancini still believes their rivals are in pole position, even if they beat them on Monday, and says he would be surprised if his side won the league.

“Only one team can win this title”, he said. “I’ve never bet in my life, but if you were to ask, I would say put your money on United, 100 per cent.” Take advantage of the odds on United, with online sports betting.

“I don’t have a message for Sir Alex. If I did it would only be ‘Congratulations for your season and for this title!’”
City led the title race for much of the season, but have fallen away in the last few months, while United have built their momentum, and appear to have once again peaked at the perfect moment.

Mancini believes his team’s slide has been down to their lack of experience, and says United’s familiarity with the pressure of the title race will help see them through.

“I don’t think they have pressure because they are used to it every year. For us, it is different, because it is the first time. At the moment, we don’t have any pressure, because we are not expected to win”, he added.

Post from: Keeper Skool

City Still Underdogs – Mancini

The Latics pulled off a shock 2-1 victory over the Merseysiders at Anfield last Saturday to move off the bottom of the table with the run-in to the season looming.

Roberto Mancini’s side are now level with QPR on 25 points, one behind Bolton but three ahead of Wolves as the battle to avoid the drop intensifies. Those who bet on football will know how close things are.

Wigan have been perennial strugglers in the top flight in the past few seasons, surviving on the last day 12 months ago, and it may well go down to the final weekend of this season before their Premier League status is once again confirmed. Even fans of League One betting will be following things.

Al-Habsi says the win at Liverpool can act as a catalyst for them to secure enough victories to avoid the drop in the eight games that remain despite Martinez’s side facing a tough set of games in the coming weeks. Following this weekend’s clash against Stoke, they take on Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal but Al-Habsi says confidence is now high at the club.

“Of course we can do it,” he told the Evening Post. “We have another eight cup finals to go and the performance at Liverpool will hopefully give us the push we need.

“The fans were amazing on Saturday and we’ll need them again this weekend against Stoke.

“One big push is all we need to stay in this division – we did it last year and I’m sure we can do it again.”

Post from: Keeper Skool

Al-Habsi holds Wigan belief

Bogdan was a one-man last line of defence at times – keeping Spurs at bay until late on with a string of high-class saves. The man-of-the-match award was no consolation after their cup exit and fans of Bet Victor will know this.

“I feel very disappointed at being out of the cup. But this is the situation we are in now and we have to focus on the Premier League,” said the Hungarian stopper.
“If we show this fighting spirit for the last few games, then we can make it.”

Bogdan was pleased with his own performance but was keen to downplay the importance, especially since the evening ended in defeat.

“The pressure kept coming and in the end we couldn’t keep them out. Was it my best game for Bolton? Maybe people who keep the records can say,” added Bogdan.
“It was nice the Spurs players congratulated me but they had gone through so it made it easier for them.”

Bolton’s attentions now turn to a crucial six-pointer at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday and people looking at the www.betvictor.com odds will know the importance of this game.

Bolton have improved of late in the Premier League – winning back-to-back games to pull away from the drop zone. Owen Coyle’s side sit one place and one point above the bottom three with a game in hand on their rivals.

They take on a Wolves side with just one win in 16 games and in dreadful form at Molineux.

Bolton and Bogdan have a perfect opportunity to put the cup disappointment behind them.

Post from: Keeper Skool

Bolton keeper eye safety

The last British club left in the prestigious European competition will take a slender advantage back to Stamford Bridge, thanks to a second-half goal from Salomon Kalou at the Estadio da Luz.

Chelsea’s win in Portugal was the first time in 22 games that Benfica have failed to score on home soil and it took a fine team effort from the west London outfit to secure the victory in midweek. People placing a Champions League bet should bear this in mind.

The Blues have failed to impress in the Premier League this season, as they found themselves well out of the title race in the relatively early stages of the campaign. Fans of Champions League promotions need to bear this in mind.

However Chelsea have looked strong in Europe and under interim manager Roberto Di Matteo, the club have taken a big step towards the Champions League semi-finals thanks to that vital away goal.

Cech was delighted his side kept a clean sheet at the Estadio da Luzand believes his side produced a faultless performance in Portugal.

He told Sky Sports News: “We can say it was a perfect game for us in terms of the result,” he told Sky Sports News.

“We kept a clean sheet and we were patient throughout the game, waiting for our chances to come and in the end we scored on a very good counter-attack.

“Overall, we can be really satisfied because in terms of the game plan we did really well. We didn’t let them play first half and second half we waited patiently for our chance and it came.”

Post from: Keeper Skool

Cech praises perfect performance

“He’s unattached at the moment”, Tisdale explained. “In the process [of training with us], he’s putting himself on show.” The football coach added that Exeter do not rule out the possibility of working with Ricketts on a more permanent basis.

Ricketts has played for eleven different teams in the past decade. His most notable escapades include spells at Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, Toronto FC, and at German outfit, SV Wilhelmshaven. People looking at the League One betting will know he has a long track record.

The 29-year-old has also played in the Hungarian and Moldovan leagues, with Diosgyori VTK and Dacia Chisinau, respectively. Ricketts’ most recent club, Shamrock Rovers, released him in 2011, after just ten appearances.

Ricketts intimated – via Twitter – that Exeter fans had been supportive of his potential move into League One. “Thanks for all the kind words from #ECFC fans. I just want to get into a red and white shirt now.”

If he signs for the Grecians, Ricketts will join Lauri Dalla Valle, formerly of Fulham, and Southend exile, Pat Baldwin, as the new boys on Exeter’s books. Baldwin, a defender, will be especially welcome in Devon, given that Exeter face an injury crisis at centre-back. Those searching for betting tips football need to bear this in mind.

The absence of existing defenders, Richard Duffy (groin), Scott Bennett (hamstring), and Danny Coles (spine), have made survival in League One difficult for the embattled club, who stand 23rd (of 24) in the table.

Exeter will play Wycombe Wanderers later today in something of a relegation ‘six-pointer’. A victory could take the Grecians to safety, depending on the results of other matches contested this evening, while a defeat will leave them floundering in the drop zone.

Post from: Keeper Skool

Exeter Watching Ricketts

Ten goals were scored at Elland Road on Tuesday evening, as Leeds succumbed to a 3-7 defeat to the visiting Forest. The result was the first time in history that United have conceded seven at home, with their highest away loss standing at 8-1 to Stoke in 1934. Those looking at the Championship betting will have been astonished.

Leeds no longer look particularly dangerous with regard to grabbing a play-off spot, standing in tenth position, four points adrift of Hull City in ninth, and five points short of the nearest play-off place.

Add in the fact that Leeds have played one more game than six of the teams above them in the Championship, and United have a hill to climb if they hope to challenge for promotion to the Premier League.

Leeds took the lead courtesy of an early penalty from Robert Snodgrass, but Forest’s resident Frenchman, Adlene Guedioura, soon cancelled the advantage, collecting Notts’ first after eight minutes of play.

Garath McCleary added Forest’s second just before half-time. The score at the break was a balmy 2-1 in Notts’ favour.

Whatever Steve Cotterill said to the Tricky Trees at half-time galvanised Forest to “unbelievable”, to quote the manager himself, performance in the second half. Notts’ Dexter Blackstock opening the scoring shortly after the whistle.

Goals from United’s Luciano Becchio and Michael Brown gave the home team hope as the hour mark approached, dragging the tie to 3-3. McCleary then scored an incredible three in 15 minutes, to shut Leeds out of the fixture. It was a major upset of the Championship betting odds.

Blackstock added to Leeds’ misery by scoring his second, and Forest’s seventh, nine minutes from the end of regulation time.

“I’m quite embarrassed about the result”, Warnock said. “I’ve learnt probably more tonight than I have in the other games.” The manager added that Notts’ fourth strike was “terrible – it was a Sunday League goal”.

Post from: Keeper Skool

Leeds Lost in the Woods, as Forest Score Seven

Swansea’s Championship play-off victory at Wembley last season ensured they would return to the highest level of English football for the first time since 1983.

The Welsh club have surprised many this season, playing an attractive brand of football and getting the better of established Premier League sides.

Rodgers’ men have all-but secured a second term at the top level. They sit 11th in the table, 14 points clear of the relegation zone with ten games remaining and anyone looking at the odds on www.Betvictor.com will have been impressed.

The Swansea boss admitted he has met with chairman Huw Jenkins and wants to bring in ‘three or four’ new signings in the summer as he looks to establish the club in the Premier League.

“The chairman understands that we have got to invest. If we are going to retain our status at this level in the long term, we have got to recruit well,” said Rodgers.

“We are not going to go crazy, but we will be looking to add three or four players who can make a difference if we stay in the Premier League, and that means we will have to make some sort of investment.”

Rodgers believes the way Swansea have performed during their first season back will help attract quality signings. Those looking at Victor Chandler will be wondering if they can push on.

“We were relatively unknown last summer, but the Premier League is a global brand and I think we have opened up more doors now,” added Rodgers.

“People are seeing not only that we are a competitive team, but we play like a big team.”

History suggests Swansea will find it tougher next season. But the club’s ambition and football philosophy could see them become a Premier League mainstay.

Post from: Keeper Skool

Swansea planning for next season

The two teams met earlier in the season, with the Stamford Bridge club handing the Citizens their first defeat of the season in an extremely controversial match and it looks like it could be another exciting match when the two sides meet again.

Roberto Mancini’s men currently sit four points behind city rivals Manchester United in the Premier League table but a win in Wednesday’s crucial match will close the gap to just a single point with just nine games remaining.

Following the dismissal of former boss Andre Vilas- Boas, Chelsea have experienced somewhat of a resurgence, winning in the Champions League victory against Napoli, as well as progressing to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with Sunday’s victory against Leicester.

Hart is expecting a tough match at the Etihad but says he and his teammates owe Chelsea after so many decisions went against them in the match before Christmas.

“One result can literally change everything. It’s madness but it’s great. Being four points behind won’t have any bearing on how we play” Hart told The Sun. “We owe them one. They were the first team to beat us in the league this season”.

After a disappointing run of results, the Citizens lack of experience of winning title has been questioned, with some pundits believing that they’re not ready to win the league. However, the England goalkeeper doubts this and says that they have all the ingredients of a title winning side.

“We have all the ingredients. All we’re short of is the medal round our necks” he added.

Written by Jeff, a fan of http://www.youwin.com/en.

Post from: Keeper Skool

Hart out for revenge