Ladbrokes announce Lee Dixon as World Cup ambassador

Lee Dixon returns to Ladbrokes as our leading World Cup ambassador.

The Arsenal and England legend returns having featured in Ladbrokes’ first ever TV advert back in 2007.

In his role as Ladbrokes’ World Cup ambassador, Dixon will be providing Ladbrokes customers and followers with his views on the teams, players and issues. This will be shown in-vision, via social media as well as written blogs throughout the World Cup.

On Sunday 10th June, between 6.30pm and 8.00pm, Dixon will be featuring in a Ladbrokes World Cup Preview.

The coverage will be streamed live on our Facebook Page and @Ladbrokes Twitter alongside ex-footballer and Sky Sports broadcaster, Scott Minto, Mark Langdon of the Racing Post, and Ladbrokes’ Alex Apati.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “We’re delighted to have Lee on board once again and look forward to hearing his expert analysis and insight for the duration of what looks to be a fantastic World Cup.”

Lee Dixon today gave Ladbrokes his thoughts ahead of the World Cup.

Lee Dixon on Southgate’s 23 man squad:

I think everyone was a little bit surprised with Fabian Delph’s inclusion and I’m sure he was himself, to be honest.

I’m a bit surprised actually about the midfield arrangement; there’s a noticeable lack in our game right now of that standout midfield general who’s going to open up teams. That’s not necessarily Southgate’s fault though – there isn’t a Gazza coming around the corner any time soon.

Jack Wilshere and Jonjo Shelvey do spring to mind as the kind of players who could add creativity, but he (Southgate) has to take a squad that he believes he can rely on, and I think that’s where Jack especially falls down.

I do worry that there won’t be many goals coming from midfield though, which of course piles pressure on Harry Kane.

On England’s captain:

If one of the remits for the captain’s armband is that you’ll be playing every game then it’s easy to see why Kane got it. I don’t think Jordan Henderson would’ve been far off and he’d probably have just edged it for me.

I’m not disappointed with Kane though, I think that on an international stage you should all be captains. It’s something Gareth has tried to encourage in the team by passing the armband around over the last two years.

On England’s defence:

Kyle Walker looks set to feature in a back three with Kieran Trippier or Trent Alexander-Arnold operating as a right-sided wing-back.

He might not play there for Man City but Gareth’s tried it out a couple of times now and it seems to have worked – and if you assume he’ll join John Stones and Harry Maguire or Gary Cahill in that back three, then you’d have to say Walker’s pace offers some insurance to his teammates.

One thing Gareth does have is plenty of options at the back. Cahill’s turn in form, Danny Rose’s return to fitness, Ashley Young’s versatility and the strength in depth on that right-hand side all favour England heading into the tournament.

On England’s line-up:

It’ll be interesting to see what team Gareth puts out against Costa Rica; he’s caught between the pillar and the post really. Does he play the team that’s going to play against Tunisia one last time or will he tinker?

Managers in the past – certainly Roy Hodgson leading up to the last tournament – haven’t really known what formation they were going to put out, let alone who’s going to play.

At least we’re in a position now where we can pretty much guess the starting XI, give or take a couple of names, and that’s a big plus for me.

All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication