England are currently at odds of 7/1, fourth favourites to lift the World Cup in 2006. You can expect those odds to drop slightly if England can beat Wales and Ireland in the home derby international clashes. I think those are rather short odds now, so waiting for the odds to go to 6/1 or lower can't be a good idea for betting purposes.
Brazil 7/2 fav Argentina 11/2 Germany 13/2 ♠ England 7/1 Italy 10/1 Holland 12/1 France 14/1 Spain 18/1 Portugal l20/1 Czech Republic 25/1 # More odds on request.
Michael Owen has joined Newcastle United after a meeting with Newcastle manager Graeme Souness, Shearer, Chairan Freddie Shepperd and coach Dean Saunders.
Owen will sign a 4 year deal and joins the toons if he passes a medical later, which is a mere formality.
Sven Goran Erikkson has named the England squad to face the Welsh and the Irish in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.
In defence David James has been dropped for Christopher Kirkland and right back Andy Johnson has been replaced by Stephen Warnock, who gets his first call up.
Up front Alan Smith steps down for Crystal Palace striker Andrew Johnson.
England Squad England Keepers >> Paul Robinson Tottenham Hotspur Robert Green Norwich City Chris Kirkland West Bromwich Albion
England Defenders >> John Terry Chelsea Rio Ferdinand Manchester United Jamie Carragher Liverpool Matthew Upson Birmingham City Stephen Warnock Liverpool Phil Neville Everton Ashley Cole Arsenal Luke Young Charlton Athletic
England Midfielders >> Jermaine Jenas Newcastle United (c) David Beckham Real Madrid Joe Cole Chelsea Frank Lampard Chelsea Steven Gerrard Liverpool Shaun Wright-Phillips Chelsea Michael Carrick Tottenham Hotspur Owen Hargreaves Bayern Munich Kieran Richardson Manchester United
England Attackers >> Darren Bent Charlton Athletic Jermain Defoe Tottenham Hotspur Wayne Rooney Manchester United Andrew Johnson Crystal Palace Michael Owen Real Madrid
Whatever happened to Nicky Butt? If felt like an insulting agenda to put to a man who has just agreed to his first interview for years but it also felt appropriate.
Three years ago Butt was such a performer at the World Cup that Pele singled him out as the best player. Sixteen months ago Butt was still a Manchester United midfielder appearing in an FA Cup final. This time last year he was a £4m signing by Sir Bobby Robson at Newcastle United, a capture. Now he is on loan at Birmingham City
Has Sven had enough of the highly talented David "calamity" James? Enough of the excuses and poor decision making, whil wasting so much talent to boot?
NO, I think not actually. I think Sven will stick with David James.
Chelsea FC > Defender John Terry >> Chelsea centre back John Terry is rumoured to be injured for the forthcoming Wales and Ireland matches after picking up a knock in the Spurs V Chelsea game on saturday.
John Terry is probably out then and Sven will have to do without fellow defenders Sol Campbell, Ledley King and Gary Neville, when he chooses his Wales/Ireland squad this evening.
♠ England Squad to be announced later. Check back later this evening for all the details on the England squad to meet Wales.
England suffered their worst defeat for 25 years losing 4-1 to Denmark away. After a decent first half, Sven made some changes. They never worked. Well, maybe they did because David James made another error to let the Danes in for goal number 1. After that England collapsed pretty much. Just aswell it was only a friendly.
In fact, while David James is a highly talented goalkeeper, it is his decision making that is erratic and let's him down. This time around James claims he was'nt prepared to play the game properly.
I think "Calamity James" may well have just talked himself out of any other England call-ups. James is the goalie that let Zidane stick one past him when it mattered most and tried to blame the coaching staff for not providing the big goalie with a video of the player. For James to claim to not know who Zidane is and to now claim he was'nt prepared for an international fixture when called upon, is indeed calamatous.
Rooney played well and that is about it. Gladly it was only a friendly. That said, Sven Goran Eriksson was scathing in his criticism of the England team's second half performance and actually seemed genuinely annoyed by the "holiday" spirit shown by certain England players.
Not so for the Danes ~ It was Denmark's first home win over England since the two sides first met in 1948 and only their third victory in 17 meetings.