Euro 2012 11am Bulletin: England's Walcott dilemma

It never rains but it pours. That's the feeling you had yesterday if you were either 1) in Donetsk watching Ukraine v France, or 2) an England fan after veteran ex-Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg had given Sweden a 2-1 lead in Kiev.

Euro 2012 has been far from a dull tournament by any means but the star of the show so far was definitely that spectacular thunderstorm that interrupted the start of yesterday's first Group D game. Or was it the sight of several thousand French fans getting soaked to the bone that brought a smile to my face? Let me think about that one.

Victories for France and England have seen their odds in the Winner market reduce slightly; France are third favourites at 9.08/1, England are fourth favourites at 14.013/1. Are these the third and fourth best teams in the tournament? Maybe, but they are some way behind Spain (3.4549/20) and Germany (3.929/10) in my eyes.

One man dominates this morning's media - England's man of the match from last night Theo Walcott.

Walcott was introduced on the hour mark - in place of the ineffective James Milner - and completely turned the game back in England's favour. We've seen him have this impact from the bench before, most memorably for Arsenal against Barcelona a few seasons ago only for him to disappoint when he was given a start in the game that followed.

Walcott is now almost certain to start against the Ukraine but I have my doubts as to whether he'll be able to produce a similar lung-bursting performance for 90 minutes. Walcott or Milner though... it has to be the Arsenal man.

Another man almost certain to start against Ukraine is suspension-free Wayne Rooney, but who he'll replace is quite a talking point at the moment. Andy Carroll's header showed what kind of threat he can be in England's attack, but Danny Welbeck's performance v Sweden - and that finish of course - arguably deserves to keep him in the starting XI. My hunch is that Hodgson will start Rooney just behind Carroll.

The Three Lions need just a point on Tuesday night and they are effectively 1.331/3 to win or draw as that's the price you can currently get match at in the Group D To Qualify market.

It's make your mind up time for the next four days as the remaining group games on each day kick-off at the same time. All four nations are still in with a chance of qualifying from Group A tonight and I'm desperately hoping (for financial reasons of course) that two of the most entertaining teams of the tournament so far - Russia and Poland - advance.

The Russians should have few problems getting at least a point against Greece and are available to back at 1.132/15 To Qualify, but the other game is far more difficult to call. Poland (2.265/4) must win, whilst any other result will see the Czech Republic (1.9720/21) go through.

Expect some change in the Top Goalscorer market this evening with Alan Dzagoev - currently third favourite at 8.415/2 - back in action. Greece have surprisingly been very poor in defence and Dzagoev is definitely worth a wager. Just a single goal tonight will see his odds reduce dramatically, a brace will probably see him go odds on before Mario Gomez (3.1511/5) and Fernando Torres (6.86/1) take to the field in the next few days.

Recommended Bet
Back Alan Dzagoev @ 8.415/2 to be Top Goalscorer