Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique – Euro 2024 Blog: Final preview

As the dust settles on the semi-finals, the Euro 2024 Championship commences on Sunday in Berlin with England facing Spain at the Olympiastadion.  

Grosvenor Sport ambassadors Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique – whose respective nations are facing each other – preview the final.

Spain vs England – Sunday 20:00

Jamie:

England were the favourites going into the tournament, no one was talking about Spain. They’ve played well, but England were favourites and they’ve got the better squad, no doubt. You look at Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, all of them have been the best players in their respective leagues this season.

The standout performers of the tournament have been Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, they have lit the competition up whereas England stumbled into a semi-final before producing a good performance against Netherlands. Spain will be looking at England now saying they’re a good team, but Spain have been the best in the competition by a long way and I think they are the favourites for this final.

England showed in the semi-final that they can play football; they can attack and create. I didn’t think much of the Netherlands after they scored, they just sat behind the ball. The two teams in the final are brilliant and there are match winners on both sides.

I can see Spain attempting to control possession but I don’t see England just sitting off and allowing them to do so. England are more than capable with the ball; these players are too good to just sit off and not have the ball at their feet. Spain will look to hold onto it and pass it, but don’t underestimate England.

The game is won and lost with Lamine Yamal. Who Southgate picks to deal with him is a massive decision, do you start Kieran Trippier who’s good defensively and can defend onto his stronger right foot where Yamal likes to cut in on his left, or do you play Luke Shaw and take Yamal the other way? To be honest, I don’t think Yamal is going to care who he plays against, he’s a serious talent and he can go either way – England must find a way of managing him.

I can’t get away from Spain, they have been the best side in the competition. If England are at their absolute best then they have a chance. They have to stop Lamine Yamal and they have to be clinical. If they play how they did against the Netherlands in the first half then they’ve got a chance, but they need to do it for the full 90 minutes. If they play how we did against Switzerland, Spain will beat them. I hope they turn up but I just don’t know if they can produce another performance like the one in the semi-final. I’ll go for a Spain win.

Prediction: Spain 2-1 England (8.5/1)

Jose

If we are talking about performances, Spain have been the best team in the tournament. I didn’t expect to see them come so far pre-tournament, but they are well deserving of their place in the final.

Spain are going to control the game. I expect Gareth Southgate to set his team up in the same way they have all summer and sit back. However, when England conceded the early goal in the semi-finals, they looked a completely different team, that’s when they started to push and threaten more.

If Spain don’t score early then I can see England sitting back much like they have been doing for most of the tournament. However, this is not going to work because if England sit back against Spain, then they will really struggle against what I believe is the toughest attacking outfit they’ve faced yet. The likes of Lamine Yamal will really cause the England backline trouble if they’re too deep.

If both teams don’t sit back and play too cautiously and instead really attack with their fluid front-lines, then this has the potential to be a really great game. If you look at the talent on both sides, England probably have even more talented players then Spain. However, given the performances across the whole tournament you would have to say Spain are the better team.

Prediction: Spain 3-0 England (22/1)

Jamie’s team talk for the England squad

This is it, the Euros final. We have worked so hard to get here, we haven’t played the best, but we have improved and we have to step up. You’ve made it happen, we know we can go out and do this. Spain have got a good team but we have got the players to go out and win this. Go out there and do it, you’ve got us here, enjoy yourself and win it. Some of you will never live this moment again, leave it all out on the pitch and make us proud!

Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique’s Premier League Matchweek 23 Preview

The Premier League is back this weekend, with the Gameweek 23 fixtures including some belters from Saturday onwards.

Grosvenor Sport ambassadors Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique put two of the key fixtures under the microscope, giving their insights on Everton versus Tottenham, and Arsenal versus Liverpool.

Watch the full episode of The Counter Attack with Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique.

 

Everton v Tottenham

 

Jamie:

I think this will be a very even game. Tottenham did well to bounce-back against Brentford in the week, they started playing their free-flowing football again. I think Brentford striker Neil Maupay had something to do with the Tottenham awakening – he added fuel to the fire when doing James Maddison’s goal celebration and it injected some energy into the Tottenham team.

Everton desperately need to start winning games. They most recently drew to Fulham away 0-0, where Jordan Pickford had a cracker of a game. I’m going to go for a draw, I think that this will be a difficult fixture for Spurs, especially with the added motivation for Everton having just dropped into the relegation zone.

Tottenham 1-1 6/1

 

Jose:

Both of these teams played okay in their midweek games. Tottenham obviously came behind to win against Brentford, but I do think that they were very poor in the first half. If Tottenham start slow away at Everton in the early kick-off, they could be trailing before they know it. I expect Goodison Park to be up for this game and the fans motivating the team.

This game is a recipe to have lots of goals and I think it will be close come the final whistle. Out of the two teams, I think Everton showed more solidarity in the defensive third against Fulham than Tottenham did against Brentford. For that reason, I think Everton will just clinch it.

Everton 3-2 20/1

 

Arsenal v Liverpool

 

Jamie:

This is a massive game for both teams and a big moment in the Premier League season. I think if Liverpool put in a performance like they did against Chelsea, then they will win this too – they were fantastic. They have so much attacking threat, even without Mohamed Salah – Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez are electric! Nunez is one of my favourite players to watch at the moment. If Liverpool win this decisively, I put them as my favourites to win the Premier League this year, But Arsenal over the last few seasons have a knack of showing up and putting in performances in big moments. This one is too close to call, so I’m going to have to sit on the fence.

Draw 2-2 11/1

 

Jose:

I am pretty confident that Liverpool will have too much t for Arsenal across the pitch. I don’t think Chelsea troubled Liverpool at all midweek, so it will be interesting to see how Liverpool fare against a more in-form and talented side. I expect Trent Alexander-Arnold will start but Conor Bradley has been superb. It will be a great game for the neutral with lots of intensity and I think Liverpool will nick it.

Liverpool 1-2 9/1

 

Predictions:

 

Everton v Tottenham

Jamie: Draw 13/5

Jose: Everton 19/10

 

Brighton v Crystal Palace

Jamie: Brighton 11/20

Jose: Brighton 11/20

 

Burnley v Fulham

Jamie: Fulham 13/10

Jose: Fulham 13/10

 

Newcastle v Luton

Jamie: Newcastle 7/20

Jose: Newcastle 7/20

 

Sheffield Utd v Aston Villa

Jamie: Sheffield Utd 22/5

Jose: Aston Villa 13/25

 

Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest

Jamie: Draw 29/10

Jose: Bournemouth 13/20

 

Chelsea v Wolves

Jamie: Wolves 4/1

Jose: Draw 3/1

 

Manchester Utd v West Ham

Jamie: Manchester United 7/10

Jose: West Ham 16/5

 

Arsenal v Liverpool

Jamie: Draw 5/2

Jose: Liverpool 9/5

 

Brentford v Manchester City

Jamie: Manchester City 4/11

Jose: Manchester City 4/11

O’Hara and Enrique’s Premier League Matchweek 11 Preview

After providing five of the top 10 at this week’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, the Premier League continues with its 11th round of fixtures this weekend.

Grosvenor Sport ambassadors Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique give their insight on three of the weekend’s key fixtures, including Fulham versus Manchester United, Newcastle versus Arsenal, and Monday’s all-London affair between Tottenham and Chelsea.

Watch the full episode of The Counter Attack with Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique here.
Fulham v Manchester United

Jamie O’Hara:

This is a big game for Manchester United and one that they can’t afford to lose – if they do, I think Erik ten Hag comes under some serious pressure.

We might actually be being a bit harsh on United because they’re only two points behind Newcastle, so if they win this one and Newcastle lose to Arsenal – which is definitely possible – then they’ll go above them.

Fulham have been really average this season, especially in comparison with how impressed I was by them last season. Without Aleksandar Mitrovic they’re really struggling for goals.

Although they’re away from home, I don’t think it will be too difficult for United to keep Fulham quiet. Rasmus Hojlund is one who needs to start scoring and I think this is a good opportunity for him.

Score prediction: Fulham 0 – 2 Manchester United (10/1)

Anytime goalscorer: Rasmus Hojlund (33/20)

Jose Enrique:

With United playing away from home this will be a tough game for them. It’s difficult to see them getting anything better than a draw out of this game with the way they are playing at the moment. I haven’t been impressed with their performances of late.

Fulham haven’t been great this season but they have the home advantage and I actually believe that this is a good opportunity for them to get at least a point out of Manchester United. I like the look of Hojlund, but even if he is on form, I don’t think United will have enough to get more than a point out of this game.

Score prediction: Fulham 1 – 1 Manchester United (5.4/1)

Anytime goalscorer: Rasmus Hojlund (33/20)

Newcastle v Arsenal

Jose Enrique:

What a game this is! With it being at St. James’ Park, I think this will be a tough test for Arsenal even if their league form has been good. It’s a difficult one to call.

As a home stadium, not many come close to St. James’ Park and I think it could make a huge difference in such a big game like this, like we saw in the Champions League when they beat PSG just a few weeks ago.

It is going to be a very close game but I think home advantage just gives Newcastle the edge over Arsenal in this one. Arsenal are in great form in the league, but it is a tough place for any team to go and get a point when the stadium is really rocking.

Score prediction: Newcastle 2 – 1 Arsenal (9/1)

Anytime goalscorer: Callum Wilson (17/10)

Jamie O’Hara:

It’s games like this where I think the league gets really interesting, when the big teams go head-to-head. Newcastle need a big result in this one and being at home will certainly help them.

Gabriel Jesus might come back in here but Eddie Nketiah has been in top form and is starting to show how good of a player he is. For me, he isn’t good enough to lead a title-winning attack just yet because he needs to show it against the really top teams.

Nketiah will want to prove a few people wrong and produce the good against the likes of Newcastle. I think Arsenal have got what it takes to beat Newcastle, but it is such a tough place to go and win, so I think it will be hard for either side to take all three points.

Score prediction: Newcastle 2 – 2 Arsenal (12/1)

Anytime goalscorer: Eddie Nketiah (23/10)

Tottenham v Chelsea

Jamie O’Hara:

This is another massive game and I can’t wait for it, because I think this is Tottenham’s best opportunity for a while to really batter Chelsea. I think they can really go after Chelsea, who just don’t look confident at the moment.

IAnge Postecoglou is the real deal and he has gotten rid of the ‘Spursy’ title which was looming over Tottenham in previous years. The players are on side, they’re confident, and they’ve got a bit of arrogance about them.

I think Tottenham will be licking their lips looking at this Chelsea side and think, ‘here we go, it’s dinner time!’ I reckon Tottenham are going to batter Chelsea on Monday and win the game comfortably.

Score prediction: Tottenham 3 – 1 Chelsea (15/1)

Anytime goalscorer: James Maddison (2/1)

Jose Enrique:

Tottenham are very good at the moment, I love the way they play and I love watching them. The way things are at the moment, I think they are too good for Chelsea.

At one point I think everything will eventually click for Chelsea and they will do well, but at the moment, they are just not showing what they’re capable of, whereas Spurs look happy and confident when they are playing every week.

Spurs are flying at the moment and I just can’t see Chelsea even coming close to getting anything out of this game because they are just not performing to the level that they should be at the moment.

Score prediction: Tottenham 3 – 0 Chelsea (17/1)

Anytime goalscorer: Heung-min Son (11/8)

 

GW11 Predictions

Fulham v Manchester United

Jose Enrique: Draw

Jamie O’Hara: Manchester United

 

Brentford v West Ham

Jose Enrique: Draw

Jamie O’Hara: Draw

 

Burnley v Crystal Palace

Jose Enrique: Draw

Jamie O’Hara: Draw

 

Everton v Brighton

Jose Enrique: Brighton

Jamie O’Hara: Brighton

 

Manchester City v Bournemouth

Jose Enrique: Manchester City

Jamie O’Hara: Manchester City

 

Sheffield United v Wolves

Jose Enrique: Wolves

Jamie O’Hara: Wolves

 

Newcastle v Arsenal

Jose Enrique: Newcastle

Jamie O’Hara: Draw

 

Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa

Jose Enrique: Aston Villa

Jamie O’Hara: Draw

 

Luton v Liverpool

Jose Enrique: Liverpool

Jamie O’Hara: Liverpool

 

Tottenham v Chelsea

Jose Enrique: Tottenham

Jamie O’Hara: Tottenham