Manchester City Want Landon Donovan

Manchester City seem to be buying everyone. They have been linked to almost every player in the world and are once again spending money like they are scared of the stuff. Yaya Toure, David Silva and Jerome Boateng are the three that have been confirmed signings, and now Mancini wants to add Landon Donovan to that list.

Donovan impressed with his small loan period with Everton, and also shone as the USA's best player in the World Cup, but Manchester City seems like a big step up from LA Galaxy, whom currently own the player. Donovan played for Bayer Leverkusen but also had a spell on loan with Bayern Munich in his time at the Galaxy as well as Everton, but now it seems he may have to find another home in England because he is heading to Manchester.

Manchester City sure won't be short of attacking options next season, because if the rumours are true, they also want to snap up the Italian bad-boy Mario Balotelli form Inter, who played under Mancini when he was in Italy, which means that City will have around... too many strikers. Tevez, Adebayor, Santa Cruz, Jo, Felipe Caceido, Silva, Bellamy, Donovan, and Balotelli.
If there is a sudden mass injury problem, they'll be alright, but other than that, the City ground is going to need a bigger bench, and boy, will it be warm.

Could the USA really threaten England in South Africa? - 2010 World Cup Betting News with Betfred

V.

With England due to kick-off their 2010 World Cup campaign three weeks today, the hype about this summer's World Cup is well and truly underway, and you can't move for adverts in support of our national team. However one football expert reckons Fabio Capello's side face a tricky task early on in the competition.

England, who are third favourites in the World Cup 2010 betting, face the USA in Rustenburg in their opening game on June 12th. The Three Lions are well-fancied to win this clash at 1/2 with Betfred, while the Americans are 5/1 to cause a shock.

One man who thinks it may not be so easy for England is Sir Alex Ferguson, who thinks the USA have a "very good chance at qualifying", which could see some punters seeing the Americans to win Group C at 5/1 as a reasonable shout.

The Manchester United manager said there are a number of players in Bob Bradley's squad who are more than capable of springing a surprise on opposition defences in South Africa.

"I don't think they're going to be overwhelmed with the atmosphere of the World Cup, the importance of the World Cup, the intensity," Ferguson said.

"I think that will be easy for them. I think they'll be used to that. Those players have that, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey. Dempsey has had a great season in England this year."

He added: "They are very athletic, they apply themselves very well, and are difficult to play against."

England and the USA, the two favourites to progress from Group C, also have to play Slovenia and Algeria. The eastern European nation failed to clock up a point in their only other World Cup appearance in 2002, while the African side also have a poor record in the tournament. They are 15/8 and 10/3 respectively to make it through to the second round, something I can't see happening.

Remember, this is the same USA side that is ranked 14 in the world and made it into the final of the Confederations Cup last summer, beating Spain on the way and giving Brazil a real game in the final. So not only should they make it out of the group, but they could go even further - the online betting makes them 20/1 shots to be knocked out in the semis.


My Opening Tip of the Tournament:

England and USA to qualify from Group C at 4/5 with Betfred, while England at 3/1 to get knocked out in the quarter-finals should also be considered by those punters seeking value.

England v United States - Saturday 12th June, kick-off 7.30pm, live on the ITV.
England v Algeria - Friday 18th June, kick-off 7.30pm, live on the ITV.
England v Slovenia - Wednesday 23rd June, kick-off 3pm, live on the BBC.

By Drew Swainston
(Guest writer from Betfred on behalf of Beer Footy and Birds!)