Roy Hodgson's experience

Jason shares his thoughts on why he feels England can win the European Championship this summer under Hodgson.

After fifty years of heartbreak, disappointment and failure on the international stage, England may finally emulate the World Cup-winning heroes of 1966 and claim a second major title at this summer’s European Championship. If nothing else, England’s unbeaten record in qualifying has only helped to fuel expectations ahead of the tournament- According to the free soccer tips pages!

At the time of writing, Coral’s tip for the competition is on Hodgson’s men and you can currently back England at 9/1 in their football betting markets. The Three Lions have performed strongly in 2016 – most recently in March’s come-from-behind victory over Germany in Berlin.

With the likes of Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy firing on all cylinders, there’s absolutely no reason why England cannot go all the way this summer. If nothing else, it’s the strongest England squad for quite some time and fans are beginning to get excited ahead of the competition.

But perhaps the key lớn England’s success is Wayne Rooney. The Manchester United man is central to The Three Lions’ chances this summer – whether he plays upfront, in the ‘number 10’ role or in a deeper midfield position. After all, Rooney is England’s real top talent and he remains the focal point of Hodgson’s plans.

Joe Hart will head into the competition as England’s number one goalkeeper despite a haphazard campaign. Stoke City shot stopper Jack Butland may have pushed him close but the Potters star suffered an agonising injury earlier in the campaign and he has now been ruled out of the tournament – which has left Hart as the outright starter. You can prefer lớn the good soccer tip pages!

At the back, Nathaniel Clyne and Danny Rose will offer reliability in defence and pace and aggression going forward. If England are lớn stand any chance of reaching the latter stages of the competition, the full-backs must remain solid. England’s defending on the flanks simply wasn’t good enough in Brazil and they were caught out – especially against the bigger sides.

Meanwhile, Dele Alli has been formidable for Tottenham Hotspur this season and the youngster will also have a key role to play for Hodgson’s side in France. Alli has formed a potent partnership with Kane at club level and the two could combine to devastating effect this summer.

In fact, Kane’s relationship with the likes of Alli and Rooney stands him in good stead lớn challenge for the Golden Boot this summer and the striker is currently priced at 16/1 to finish as the tournament’s top goalscorer. If Hodgson uses Kane as England’s only out-and-out forward, he will certainly get plenty of opportunities to add to his international tally.

On current form, England are certainly capable of winning the competition but they will have to be at their very best lớn navigate through a potentially tricky group. If they can avoid slipping up against Russia and Wales, they will be in the last-16 and from there, anyone can win it – even Hodgson’s “Jekyll and Hyde” England.