Harry Redknapp: Poland, Portugal and Italy to qualify

Italy will leave nothing to chance against Ireland go through as runners-up.

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Back Poland @ 2.28 to qualify
Back Portugal @ 1.51 to qualify
Back Italy to qualify @ 1.79n/a

As we enter the final round of group matches at Euro 2012, Harry Redknapp tells us who he believes will make it to the knockout stages and in what order...

I backed a Spain v Germany final and I've seen nothing to change my mind. England look very good but we're a work in progress and reaching the knock-out stages will be a decent achievement. The Spanish showed their class against Ireland and Germany have dominated the so-called Group of Death. Those two are on course to set up a cracking final.

It's been a good Euros so far - 16 matches and still no 0-0. We're yet to see a big upset but there's been some excellent football and top goals. Going in to the final round of matches, I've decided to pick some bets from Betfair's To Qualify and Group Winner markets.

Russia are the strongest team in Group A and, with three goals already, Alan Dzagoev is always a danger. I expect them to finish top but I was impressed by the way Poland battled back against Dick Advocaat's team. It should be a great night in Wroclaw when they take on the unpredictable Czechs and I think the home side will do their fans proud and qualify for the knock-out stages with a win.

With Robin van Persie and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Holland boast an array of attacking talent. But it hasn't clicked for them and I can't see them beating Portugal. I'm backing Cristiano Ronaldo and his team-mates to go through as Group B runners-up, following a draw with the Dutch. Germany, of course, will be group winners.

England will qualify from Group D along with France but it's impossible to know whether that will be as group winners or runners-up. One thing is for certain: you'd rather play Italy or Croatia than Spain in the quarter-final.

The Italians frustrated the defending champions in their opener but against Ireland they were at their silky best. Andreas Iniesta and Xavi are impossible to live with in full flow and Fernando Torres showed that he's still a potent threat when he struck twice. They should beat Croatia and finish top. Italy will leave nothing to chance against Ireland and go through as runners-up.

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Back Italy to qualify @ 1.79n/a

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Harry Redknapp: Quality England must start Rooney and Walcott

I’d play Rooney alongside Welbeck and start Walcott on the right...

Harry’s Recommended Bets
Back England @ 2.221/1
Back England/England @ 3.752/1 for half-time/full-time
Back Wayne Rooney to score

Harry was delighted by England's win against Sweden and he thinks the Three Lions are going great. He tells us what team he would pick for Tuesday's match against the Ukraine and selects his best bets...

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.

Harry's Recommended Bets
Back England @ 2.221/1
Back England/England @ 3.752/1 for half-time/full-time
Back Wayne Rooney to score

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Harry Redknapp: Sorry to leave Spurs but I'll be back

Spurs could have pushed on but we didn’t strengthen when we needed to... I will be back. I could retire but I love this game and that keeps me going. I enjoy it and I don’t do it for the money.

Harry Redknapp explains why he's sorry to be leaving the Lane, selects his top three moments as Spurs boss and looks ahead to his future...

After four fantastic seasons at Tottenham, I'm very sorry to be leaving. I'm proud of my achievements at White Hart Lane and I can't help thinking about what we might have gone on to win. With the addition of one or two players this summer, I believe we could have won the league. We'll never know and I wish my successor and all the lads well. They're a top bunch and they deserve to succeed.

We could have been in serious title contention this season if we'd made the right signings in January. Louis Saha and Ryan Nelsen came in and both did well but the departure of Roman Pavlyuchenko, who I'm pleased to see playing well at the Euros, and Stephen Piennar meant we were weaker in the second-half of the season. We could have pushed on but we didn't strengthen when we needed to.

Three highlights of my time at Tottenham stand out. Beating Inter 3-1 at the Lane was fantastic and demonstrated that we were serious about competing in the Champions League. That gave us the confidence to go to the San Siro, where we'd narrowly lost to Inter, and beat AC Milan on their own patch in the knockout stages.

Those two European ties live long in the memory but the win that got us there was equally sweet. Near the end of my first full season in charge, we went up to Manchester City and sealed fourth place in the Premier League when Peter Crouch scored a second-half header. Top night.

As for the future, I haven't had long to weigh it all up. But what can tell you is that I will be back. I could retire now but I love this game and that keeps me going. I enjoy it and I don't do it for the money. You never know what's going to happen in football.

There are only four or five clubs who can win the Premier League - Alan Pardew worked wonders at Newcastle last year but I always think of the top four plus Liverpool - so to say I'd only manage a club that I believed could win the title would be inaccurate. You never know, my mate Dave Whelan might sell Wigan to a group of billionaires and the football hierarchy could be turned on its head again. But that's unlikely and I think the clubs at the top of the table will dominate for many seasons.

We'll see what happens. After a few defeats managers find themselves under pressure and, while I don't wish that on anyone, it will be interesting to see how next season begins. I'll take my time but I would like to be back soon.

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Lee Dixon Video: England job is made for Harry Redknapp

Euro 2012 / Lee Dixon / 27 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

All the factors point to England appointing Harry Redknapp, according to Lee Dixon

Lee Dixon expects Stuart Pearce to inject some passion into the England dressing room while in temporary charge, but believes the job is made for Harry Redknapp...

In an exclusive video interview ahead of Wednesday's friendly with Holland, Betfair's football ambassador said Pearce will remind the players of their responsibilities when wearing an England shirt.

But looking ahead to Euro 2012, Dixon wants and expects Redknapp to be in the hotseat, citing his man management skills, tactical awareness and - importantly - the fact he is English.

See the full interview below:

Fabio Capello has walked and Harry Redknapp is the man they all want to step into the hotseat. He's got a lot going for him in terms of filling the role but save your money when it comes to backing...

Michael Lintorn looks back on the reigns of the last five England managers, judging which were successful and who failed, and labelling Sven-Goran Eriksson the best of the bunch......

Harry Redknapp is expected to lead England at Euro 2012 after it was confirmed on Wednesday evening that Fabio Capello has stepped down......

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