Euro 2012: Betfair Editors' England XI

James Pacheco

Micah Richards gets the nod over Glen Johnson, who is prone to lapses of concentration and no more effective than the City man going forward. Richards is preferred to Kyle Walker because of his aerial presence.

Phil Jones looks perfectly comfortable at this level and is an easy choice with Lescott in rather than John Terry, who is becoming both increasingly unpopular within the camp (despite what he says himself) and slow. Lescott is preferred to Cahill because he can play on the left side of the two centre-backs and has had experience of Champions League football this year. Baines gets a chance rather than Ashley Cole, who offers far less going forward these days.

Gerrard captains the side but Frank Lampard has to settle for a place on the bench. The two wide forwards won't be doing a huge amount of defending so Gerrard's defensive assistance is required; we can't rely on the Chelsea man for that.

The raw pace of Walcott compliments the trickery of Young on the opposite wing and they swap throughout the match a la Giggs-Kanchelskis. Bent is more dangerous in the box than Danny Wellbeck or Daniel Sturridge.

Team: Joe Hart; Micah Richards, Phil Jones, Joleon Lescott, Leighton Baines; Scott Parker, Jack Wilshere, Steven Gerrard; Theo Walcott, Ashley Young, Darren Bent.

Joe Dyer

Out with the old, in with the new - that's the mantra with my first choice XI for the Euro 2012 opener. Partly, that's down to age, but I am also trying to banish the collective memory of failure in major competitions that many of the old guard bring.

Let's start at the back where Joe Hart is numero uno, but there's no room at the inn for John Terry and Rio Ferdinand. Both have spent many a long year in the white shirt and we can safely say they've had their chances. It's time for new blood. Pairing Lescott and Jagielka reunites a tried and tested partnership, that managed to shut out Spain when teaming up again.

Controversy in the right and leftback slots. Phil Jones has looked pacey and skilful wherever he is played so the RB slot is his. Leighton Baines brings devastating dead-ball ability and shuffles Ashley Cole - present for many an England tournament failure - out of the starting team.

Scott Parker is a lock in midfield, playing close to Jack Wilshere in all-north London central mid. On the wings Ashley Young and Adam Johnson bring pace, skill and dangerous deliveries aplenty.

A fit-again Steven Gerrard will finally get a chance to play in his best position at a major tournament, floating between mid and attack.

Ahead of him Danny Wellbeck, tightened up after a season with plenty of first team appearances for United, will frighten 'em with his pace and all-round physicality (he's 6ft 1in you know).

Team:Joe Hart; Phil Jones, Joleon Lescott, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines; Adam Johnson, Scott Parker; Jack Wilshere, Steven Gerrard, Ashley Young; Danny Wellbeck

Max Liu

England should go to Euro 2012 in the spirit that Germany went to South Africa 2010. Over a year after vowing to freshen up the squad in light of a disappointing World Cup campaign, Fabio Capello is now acting. Jacks Rodwell and Wilshere, Danny Wellbeck, Phil Jones and, in my view, Daniel Sturridge all look very promising. They're unknown quantities on the international stage and, while none is likely to take the tournament by storm as Michael Owen did at the 1998 World Cup, they could make the type of collective impact that Mehmet Ozil and co did two years ago.

Managing expectations will be key and we all have a part to play there. So I won't be backing the Three Lions for glory at 11.521/2 but I would be delighted if they reached the semi-finals by playing fresh, attacking football. The Lampard, Beckham, Gerrard generation might have been labelled 'golden' but they were often more leaden. There's pace in my 4-4-2 line-up and the spine of Jones/Cahill/Parker/Wilshere provides a platform for the full-backs, Young, Walcott, Sturridge and Wellbeck to kick on.

Team: Joe Hart; Micah Richards, Ashley Cole, Phil Jones, Gary Cahill; Theo Walcott, Scott Parker, Jack Wilshere, Ashley Young; Danny Wellbeck, Daniel Sturridge.