Euro 2024

MICAH RICHARDS left Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker in stitches as the trio revealed their England Euro 2024 teams.That’s by mispronouncing the name of Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi.
Micah Richards left Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker in hystericsCredit: The Rest is Football
The trio picked their teams for Euro 2024Credit: The Rest is Football
Richards butchered saying Marc Guehi’s nameCredit: EPA
The centre-back has become a mainstay in Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad since making his debut last year.
Guehi has already clocked up nine appearances for his country.
And he got the seal of approval from Richards after the ex-Man City star named Guehi in his team for Euro 2024.
However, Premier League title winner Richards left mates Shearer and Lineker doubled over as he proceeded to butcher Guehi’s name by saying “Ger-hi.”
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
This led Lineker to exclaim through tears of laughter: “Ger-hi? Who’s Ger-hi?!”
Lineker also had Guehi in his Euro XI, along with John Stones, Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier.
With Jordan Pickford in goal, he then plumped for a midfield three of Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and James Maddison.
Lineker completed his team with an attack of Phil Foden, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS

Richards then went for the same goalie and back four.
But he shook up the midfield by swapping Maddison for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Richards also opted to include Jack Grealish ahead of Foden in the front three.
As for Shearer, he agreed with Richards’ attack.
However, he plumped for Foden in midfield alongside Bellingham and Rice.
And Shearer also axed Guehi from his defence, instead opting to bring in Harry Maguire. More

WALES will play Finland in their Euro 2024 play-off semi-final.If Rob Page’s side win that encounter they will play Poland or Estonia for a place in the Euros.
Aaron Ramsey will be hoping he can fire Wales to another major tournamentCredit: AP
Finland stand in the way of Wales qualifying for Euro 2024Credit: Reuters
Ukraine narrowly missed out on an automatic qualification spotCredit: Getty
Wales will play Poland or Estonia in the final if they beat Finland
Wales missed out on automatic qualification after finishing third in their group – four points behind second-placed Croatia.
But they are unbeaten in four competitive matches so they could be quietly confident they can reach a third successive major tournament.
They will also be encouraged by the fact they are unbeaten in their four previous meetings with Finland dating back to 2013.
However Markku Kanerva’s side have won six of their last nine matches and recently thrashed Northern Ireland 4-0.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
A potential final clash with Poland is also a cause for concern as Wales have only beaten them once in ten attempts – and that came in 1973.
Elsewhere Israel face Iceland in Path B, with the victor playing the winner of Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Ukraine in the final.

While in Path C two previously confirmed ties see Georgia vs Luxembourg and Greece vs Kazakhstan battle it out for a place in Germany.
The semi-final ties will take place on March 21 with the three finals set for March 26.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
Ukraine will also fancy their chances of qualifying after narrowly missing out on automatic qualification from a group containing Euro 2020 finalists England and Italy.
In fact, some fans felt they were robbed of a place after VAR failed to award them a penalty against Italy – a match they drew 0-0 which meant they missed out on second place due to goal difference. More

GARETH SOUTHGATE will already have his thinking cap on when it comes to how England could line-up at Euro 2024. The Three Lions cruised through qualifying and attention now turns to the tournament that begins on June 14.
Gareth Southgate has a selection dilemma on his handsCredit: Getty
That means players have the remainder of the season to force their way into the England squad.
Southgate has been on the receiving end of criticism after some dull performances in qualifying and his contract is up after the Euros.
However, he has a solid record when it truly matters, guiding England to the semi-final, final and quarter-final in the three major tournaments he has been boss at.
Ahead of the draw for Euro 2024 that takes place on December 2, SunSport have taken a look at how England’s starting XI could look in eight months time.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
1. Southgate’s line-up
Trent Alexander-Arnold is regularly being used as a midfielder by Southgate in recent games – perhaps hinting it could be his place at the Euros.
He has looked accomplished further up the pitch and with the ability the Liverpool man has in possession and at set-pieces, it makes him a serious contender.
With Kavlin Phillips on the bench every week, Jordan Henderson in Saudi Arabia, Conor Gallagher being arguably just short of quality and James Ward-Prowse often overlooked – Alexander-Arnold will fancy his chances.
Southgate does not like to take too many risks in big games and a centre-back partnership of John Stones and Harry Maguire seems his preferred duo.
Most read in Football
Kyle Walker and Luke Shaw offer tournament experience at full-back.
The gaffer might also value the pace of Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka on the counter-attack against stronger opponents.
Jordan Pickford, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are certain picks.
This could be Southgate’s preferred team
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
2. No Maguire
Harry Maguire has been in and out the Manchester United team this season.
If he cannot nail down a place at his club then Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi may come in.
The 23-year-old has earned the trust of Southgate, starting three of the last four competitive fixtures.
Henderson’s experience and leadership is also liked by the gaffer, who shows no signs of dropping him.
Phil Foden’s talent makes him a potential starter should Rashford’s goal drought continue.
Guehi could be the replacement centre-back
3. No Kane
England fans dread an injury to skipper Kane – but what does Southgate do just in case?
The back-up striker race is impossible to call with Ollie Watkins, Callum Wilson, Eddie Nketiah and maybe even Jarrod Bowen making cases to be the sub No9 at the Euros.
And don’t forget Ivan Toney’s betting ban is over in January and he has the second-half of the season to force his way into the Three Lions manager’s thinking.
At the moment, Watkins seems to be leading the race with six goals and five assists in 12 Premier League games.
Meanwhile, Phillips, Ben Chilwell and Kieran Trippier could all remain rotation options as the tournament progresses.
Here is how England could look if Kane doesn’t play
4. Three at the back
Southgate deployed a back-three as England nearly went all the way at the 2018 World Cup.
There’s not many better wing-backs in the game than Reece James and he is a viable option should he overcome persistent injury problems.
Walker has tucked into a back-three before and impressed.
Southgate has used a back-three in the past
5. Attack Attack Attack
Many fans have demanded more attacking football from England to get the best out of our array of talent in forward areas.
Trippier’s crossing ability would help with that and Rice can sit deep in midfield to allow Bellingham and James Maddison to run the show and create in midfield, with the help of Phil Foden or Jack Grealish.
With players like this in the starting XI, England will want the ball as much as possible.
Lewis Dunk is comfortable in possession and can when start attacks by playing passes through the lines into the exciting front line.
This attacking line-up could get fans off their seats More

ENGLAND enjoyed an unbeaten Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.However, the real deal will commence when the finals kick off on June 14.
England’s group at Euro 2024 has been simulatedCredit: The Times
The finals kick off on June 14Credit: Getty
Our simulation has handed Harry Kane and Co a tough drawCredit: Getty
Scotland’s fate has also been simulatedCredit: Kenny Ramsay
Scotland are accompanying the Three Lions to the tournament in Germany and could still be joined by Wales if they progress through the playoffs.
Gareth Southgate’s side made it all the ways to the final last time out, only to lose on penalties.
He will be hoping Harry Kane and Co and go one better when the final rolls around on July 14.
Although their match ups at the group stage could be pivotal to achieving that goal.
READ MORE IN ENGLAND
SunSport looked at the best and worst possible scenarios for England following the 1-1 draw with North Macedonia.
Fans will not need to wait too long to find out the fate of their respective nations with the draw commencing on December 2 in Hamburg.
But having now simulated the full draw, what are the home nations predicted fates?
Wales, who need to progress through Play-off A to make the finals, could face a group including hosts Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic in Group 1.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
In stunning twist of fate our simulation has drawn England and Scotland in the same group.
Turkey and Euro 2020 champions Italy have also been placed in Group 4.
Heavy-hitters France were handed a dream group against Romania, Slovenia and the winner of Play-off C.
Likewise, Spain have been pitted against Albania, Slovakia and Serbia.
Meanwhile, Belgium’s simulated group is no pushover, with a tricky selection against Hungary, Croatia and Switzerland.
Group 6, however, is the obligatory group of death.
Portugal, Austria, the Netherlands and the winner of Play-off B all feature in the set.
SunSport have also taken a look at who may and may not make the plane, with bad news expected for the likes of Mason Mount.
You can find the full simulated draw below:
Group 1: Germany, Denmark, Czech Republic, Play-off A
Group 2: Spain, Albania, Slovakia, Serbia
Group 3: France, Romania, Slovenia, Play-off C
Group 4: England, Turkey, Scotland, Italy
Group 5: Belgium, Hungary, Croatia, Switzerland
Group 6: Portugal, Austria, Netherlands, Play-off B More