Roy Hodgson's men became the first Fulham side to reach a European final, thanks to their heroic 2-1 win over Hamburg at Craven Cottage. On the eve of the biggest night in the club’s history in Hamburg this Wednesday, Alan Brazil will be talking tactics and reviewing their extraordinary path to the final – a journey that’s included victories against reigning champions Shaktar Donetsk, and Italian giants Juventus.

In his pomp, Alan Brazil played for Manchester United and Scotland, and even won 2 UEFA Cups with Ipswich and Spurs – so he knows exactly what Fulham are up against. He now has his own show every weekday morning on talkSPORT.

Alan will be joined by a betting expert from bodog.com – Fulham FC’s official betting partner - who will be on hand to give viewers who fancy a flutter on this huge match some top tips.

Bodog.com are also giving viewers of the show an opportunity to win a signed Fulham FC shirt and a free bet – so you really can’t afford to miss this!

Alan Brazil joins us live online on Tuesday 11th May at 8pm for a Europa League Final Preview Special

For more information visit www.bodog.com

Europa League Final – Webchat

H: Host, Gavin Ramjaun

A: Alan Brazil

B: Ed Pownell, Bodog.com

H: Hello there. So what are the odds on Fulham picking up their first ever major piece of silverware on Wednesday night when they take on Athletico Madrid on a historic night in Hamburg? Can the cottages create history? Join me and Alan Brazil to find out

H: Hello and welcome to Sport talk, I’m Gavin Ramjaun. Now on Wednesday night Roy Hodgson’s Fulham are looking to create footballing history and win the Europa League in Hamburg after a journey that started on July 30th last year with the Europe League qualifying round win over FK Vetra, only the 11 men of Athletico Madrid stand between them and destiny. Coming up in tonight’s show -

4-4-2 or 4-3-3?

Last team standing

Former Fulham Great

What are the odds?

H: How will both sides line up? What are Hodgson’s options? The last English team in Europe, how do the fans feel on the eve of this historic night? And former Fulham legend Rufus Brevett joins us live from Hamburg. What are the odds all on the outcome, and who are the most likely scorers? Well to discuss this and much more, I’m joined in the Sports Talk studios by a pair of distinguished guests, former player turned broadcaster and pundit Alan Brazil, he’s actually won this tournament twice before with Ipswich and Spurs. Welcome Alan.

A: Thank you

H: And Ed Pownell who is a betting expert from Bodog.com, welcome to both of you. So Alan I will start with you first. What are Fulham’s chances in this massive game?

A: Very good you know Athletico started the season over in Spain very poor. They have got better, they’ve before better of late but nothing to be worried about, they've got some top players, of course they have, but then again Fulham have a rich vein of form as well. Forget last week, you know that was just a case of we’re going to play the season out, this is our big game in Hamburg. They’ve got players with experience, Fulham, there's no doubt about that, and I can’t believe they’re going to be scared of Athletico Madrid. It’ll be a cracking game, I think it’s very evenly matched. But I promise you if Fulham are scared I’ll be very surprised

H: So Ed, you’re Fulham’s betting partner for this season – just how magical has it been for fans who are just following the club at every step?

B: Well unbelievable, I’ve been lucky enough to go, I went to the Juventus game and I was at Craven Cottage Hamburg game and the adrenalin there just absolutely phenomenal, and everyone the press always talks about how the fans really drove them and stand up if you believe, but I was there and I tell you what they really, really did. It was phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal

H: Excellent well we’re back with some more betting tips from you a little bit later on, but don’t forget this is a live show so if you do have any questions or comments that you want to send in then please do, this is a live show. All you have to do is click the box on your screen and click the send icon on that and you’re in with a chance of winning a signed Fulham shirt which you can see just over Alan’s shoulder there from Danny Murphy. So remember do send in your email address if you do want to apply from that, we want to hear from you. Now this is such a big night for the club then Alan. Just what is the atmosphere going to be like down at the ground in Hamburg. Well it’s going to be great. I’m a little bit disappointed that both sides, Athletico and Fulham are only 12,500 each. For me that’s half the crowd, that’s not on. I think UEFA are wrong but the tickets went like that. As soon as they were on sale the next morning, bang people were queuing, they were on the phone. So if Fulham will take 12,500 there'll be a few more there trying to get tickets to get in. But it’s going to be a great atmosphere you know. Northern Germany, I think the football grounds there are great, they get big crowds in the Bundesliga so the locals will be there, they'll be vocal as well, I think they’ll go for Fulham rather than Athletico, the locals, because that’s what I’m hearing. It’s going to be an open game as well, it’s going to be a cracker. I think it’s going to be great, and for Fulham fans, especially the loyal ones, we’re going to hear from them in a few moments’ time, you know Fulham’s a friendly club, very similar to my old club Ipswich Town, when we won the UEFA cup in 1981, very, very similar. And of course Bobby Robson, the late, great Bobby, started at Fulham as well, so played with the great Johnny Haines and people like that, Bobby. So Sir Bobby, you know he’ll have a little smile up there that his club, Fulham, have made such a big final. It’s going to be great for the fans, it’s going to be a great occasion

H: Absolutely yes, so as you said earlier, Alan earlier, the fans will be licking their lips in anticipation for this huge game, this weekend they played arsenal at the Emirates stadium, so we sent our reporter James Woodruf to hear what they think of the game

Video Footage

James: We’re here at the Emirates stadium on the last day of the premier league season, and what a season it has been for Fulham, especially in the Europa league. I caught up with some of the fans to see how they’re feeling ahead of Wednesday’s big game, and they’ve got some words of encouragement for Roy’s Boys –

Man 1: Two years ago today we were down at Portsmouth hoping to get three points to stay up, and by some miracle we did, and now two years later we’re going to Hamburg on Wednesday for the Europa league final. Can you imagine? It’s mad?

Lady 1: We’re all in 7th heaven, it’s been a dream come true and something that we totally would never ever have dreamt about, considering two years ago we nearly went out the Premier league, so fantastic, and here we are off on our way to Germany

Man 2: At the beginning of the season, qualifying stages, no one would have believed we’d be travelling to Hamburg again. To get in the final, it’s fantastic

Lady 2: I’ve supported them 62 years and this is the finest year we’ve had

Lady 3: Even as we said at the ground we went one down at Hamburg - stand up if you still believe

Man 3: And the whole place stood up, it was absolutely magic

Lady 4: The feeling was wonderful

Lady 5: We believe, as the saying goes from the semi-final. Swept round the ground like a tidal wave and just took us all along with it

Man 4: Yes, stand up if you still believe

Lady 5: And we do. We do

H: so no doubt about the excitement among some of the fans there. Just tell us a bit about how they might be feeling ahead of this

A: Well when I said about a friendly club, you can see that you know. These people following Fulham have followed them for years. They can’t believe what’s happening to them here. Going to a final, you know a European final in Germany, there’s one – that lady has been following them for 60 years! Now incredible the ups and downs that Fulham have had. But it’s just – we had our second leg of the final in Amsterdam, at the Amsterdam arena, a big stadium and the travel over there is just fantastic. Fulham fans will go by, they’ll probably go on the tunnel or the train, or they’ll take ferries there, they’ll drive, you know just the whole occasion going there. And I think it’s going to be a friendly final as well, I don’t think it’s going to be nasty. I think both fans will embrace each other and I think it’s going to be lovely.

H: So Ed a bit about some of the passion that you’ve seen with the Fulham fans this year. How much do they really want this title?

B: Well you know it’s everything for them, you know of course an I mean let’s not be too patronising, it’s – they’ve deserved it, I mean they have gone there they have some incredible results. I was at the Juventus game when we lost 3-1 then went 1-0 down at the Cottage so we were 4-1 down on aggregate, then to come back from that, the odds in running were crazy for them to qualify, you know 3 figures for them to qualify and so – and I was laying it myself to friends thinking oh it will never happen, I got down, I didn’t stand up, I didn’t believe and I’m embarrassed to say that, but they came through it. Absolutely unbelievable, and they deserve it. If you score goals you win matches, it’s clichés but there it is

H: Oh well this is going to be a really tough task for Fulham to overhaul Athletico Madrid, one of the best sides in Europe over the history of European football. In 1962 they won the European cup, so how are they actually going to be able to do that, what tactics are they going to employ to get a result?

A: Well I think injuries are key to Fulham. Let’s hope Damien Duff is ok with his wealth of experience, with the Republic of Ireland, Zamora up front, I think he’s classy and I just hope he’s 100%. He’s not made Capello’s England squad for the world cup, I hope he’s not too down. Hope he gets it out his system tomorrow night and fires a goal. He’s classy, he’s got a great touch, he can hit them right, left foot in the air, so he’s a big threat. Definitely for Fulham. Danny Murphy’s got to go on the ball, there were some eyes in teams here but Samao for Athletico’s a smashing player, and I just wonder who’s going to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, will it be Murphy for Fulham or will it be Samao for Athletico to get possession? Because if they get possession they’re dangerous upfront. They don’t score a lot of goals, Athletico, but at the same time they’ve got dangerous players, so that key battle in the centre of midfield for Fulham, if Fulham can get the upper hand and get the possession off Athletico Madrid, then Fulham will play into the final and I think there’s no danger, and there’s no reason why they can’t go on and win it

H: Now Ed, do you think it might be worthwhile Fulham playing a bit more of a defensive approach with formidable strike rate of Aguero and Forlan upfront for Athletico. Do you think it might be worth someone like Hangeland having to sit back and mark and really employ a bit more of a deeper role for the club?

C: Well there’s two things for Fulham to bear in mind. A) Defensively they’re very strong, they’ve played this tournament very well, went to Hamburg, got the 0-0 that they want and then come back and win it at home. Absolutely their defence is crucial and that’s why for me a great bet is draw at half time, Fulham half time 6 to 1. I think that’s a cracking bet, because they’re really strong at the back, Schwartzer – unbelievable season he’s had, I mean really had been awful for Fulham. Alan’s absolutely right, they’ve got nothing to be afraid of. Madrid also have shocking away form recently as well, so Fulham have got nothing to be worried about. And on the odds I think they’re cracking value

H: Thanks very much for that Ed. We are hoping to speak to a former Fulham legend, a man of 175 appearances, leftback Rufus Brevett, but we are having a few technical issues at the moment, so what we’ll do is we’ll go to a question from some of the live viewers coming in at the moment. “Will Clint Dempsey” – I’ll go to you first Alan – “will Clint Dempsey start at front or in midfield and will he begin as a substitute?”

A: Well it’s a good – it’s a very, very good question. When I looked at the team that I’d been given, I’m thinking where’s Dempsey? Gera and Zamora, if Zamora’s 100% he wouldn’t want to miss this, who would want to miss this? What player in their right mind would miss a European final, unless he’s got a problem, Zamora must start. Now where does Dempsey play, does he stick -does he go in there instead of Etuhu? Because Duff I think will come through, his problem with his ankle. Danny Murphy has to play. Great on the ball, creates a wealth of experience with Liverpool as well, so that’s important. So you say to yourself where’s he going to play? I don’t think he’ll play midfield I think he’ll be either alongside Zamora or not. But if Zamora’s fit he must play, so he’s in good form at the moment, Dempsey, and of course the world cup just round the corner, so he’s looking to impress. I’m told he looks very, very sharp as well. A couple of weeks ago a friend of mine was at Fulham, he said corr he was electric, so you know they’ll be kicking Roy Hodgson’s door down by the way. I’m fit, I want to play, I’ve got to play. So that’s what managers get paid so much for, he’s got to pick the right 11

H: That was Theodore’s question. Don’t forget keep your emails coming in for that signed Fulham shirt, the competition – make sure you include your email address on that otherwise you won’t be able to win it. Click send when you log onto the website. Now we’ve got another question in from Bob Walker. “Should Bobby Zamora have been in the world cup squad?” That’s a question that’s been on everyone’s lips today in the studio

A: I think so. I really do think he’s been excellent and he has got a little bit of class. The Fulham fans have – they’ve taken a while to get used to him because he did miss a few sitters early on in his Fulham career but now they love him to bits and no wonder because as I say his touch is good, his movement’s good, he can finish either foot. I think he’s got to be feeling a little bit unlucky but then you know a lot of people – Emile Heskey, it looks as if he’ll start for me, alongside Rooney and I think because Capello likes that partnership, not because Emile Heskey’s a perfect goal scorer, he’s not. Zamora, Bent, people like that scoring more goals. Crouch was great the other night as well. So it’s tough on him and I hope it doesn’t affect his confidence but he should be disappointed he’s not in at least the 30

B: I just wonder if – if this could actually work for him in a way. I mean if he scores in a European cup final, can he be ignored? You know he’s at least a person that’s got one more game to prove himself, whereas a lot of others haven’t, and if he racks up a couple how can he be ignored?

H: Absolutely that’s exactly what Nick Grey has just sent in - “Can Zamora still make the England squad if he puts in a big performance tomorrow?” We’ve got one more from Rob – “if Bobby doesn’t start who would partner Gera upfront?

A: It’s got to be Dempsey I think.

H: Dempsey?

A: It’s got to be Dempsey, yes. I’m pretty sure. And as I said the feedback I’m getting, he’s looked really sharp, Dempsey. And he’ll want to don’t forget he wants to impress because he wants to be in that American side. He wants to lead the line for America in the world cup which is only a few weeks ago – weeks away, excuse me. Over down in South Africa. So as I say Roy’s got a big problem – a nice problem to have if he can pick from a fit, healthy squad but I will go for Gera and Zamora at the moment, but Dempsey – he’ll play some part in this game

H: What do you make of the England squad that Capello announced?

A: To be honest you know I think he has got a few headaches, you know edpecially with Rio. Rio played 90 minutes the other day for United, that must have been a huge relief because he has got a major problem with his back. Rooney – it looks as if Rooney’s going to be ok. I don’t like the way he was clutching his groin, but it looks – Fergie said he will be fine. So touch wood it’s not serious, you know what I mean? Ashley Cole scored as well at the weekend didn’t he, so he’s on his way back, and don’t forget some of these players have had rests because of injury, so that could help England. That could benefit England in a few week’s time. I just wonder who’s going to play at the back, I really do. And I just wonder - it looks like Heskey and Rooney upfront but he’s still got some big decisions to make and we’re still a few weeks away

H: so a question to both of you to finish off from Ali Price - who would you say is Fulham’s talisman? Who would you say is going to be the gamebreaker?

A: I think the big fella at the back, Hangeland, for me I think he’s been their best player this season. He’s been outstanding. I watched his debut at the Cottage and I thought he looked like fish out of water, I really did when he first played, but Roy Hodgson’s a clever wily old fox, he knows European football. He should just bide his time, he’ll be alright, and he’s been great. Set pieces again, set pieces for he’s a huge danger and he’s a very, very important player for Fulham. I’d go Hangeland but Murphy’s got to get on the ball as well

H: So in a moment we’ll talk a bit more to Ed about some of the betting odds and some of the options there, and do keep your emails coming in here in the hope of winning that Fulham shirt, that signed Fulham shirt from Danny Murphy. We are still trying also to get hold of Rufus Brevett on the show. But we’re going to hear back from some fans again now with James Woodruf about how they think some of the predictions will play out ahead of this big match

Video Footage

Lady 1: The style Roy Hodgson’s got us playing suits European football it seems, and just do what you’ve been doing and we’re going to win this

Man 1: I mean the way we play in Europe I think we can do it. I think a 2-1 win’s on the cars

Lady 2: They’re going to win. They’ll do us proud, we know they will

Boy 1: 4-0

Man 2: 4-0 you reckon?

Boy 1: Yes

Man 2: What have they got to do to do that?

Boy 2: Passing

Boy 1:

Chant: Playing for England

Man 3: To be where they are is just phenomenal in itself, so win, lose or draw it’s going to be a fantastic game, it’s great, great experience for the club

Chant: Germany, Germany we’re the oldest team in London and we’re going to Germany

Boy 3: Yes. Best team in London. Pride and joy of London

Man 4: I mean I think we were 2500 to 1 to get to the final, that’s like you’ve died and gone to heaven

James: Did you take that bet?

Man 4: No thanks. I wish I had but I didn’t

H: So that’s some of the predictions of the fans there Ed. So what odds are you offering on the result and who’s likely to be the top scorer?

B: Well that kid there he wants 4-0 he can have any price he likes, I think it’s not going to be a massive score for either side, I mean it’s going to be very defensive early on as I say. What I think is it’s very tight on the betting, you know Athletico are 11-10 favourites with Fulham at 12-5, that’s just over 2-1. I think that’s a massive price on what I see as genuinely a very even game. You know we’ve been top price, a lot of things in the lead up to this. People are still backing Athletico, they were 5-4 this morning, now 11-10 and I just do think that’s wrong. I know I’ve got a slight bias to Fulham because Bodog are sponsors of Fulham but I really do think this is a tight game. Athletic are shocking away from home. Ignore both teams last results because as Alan said they don’t – they didn’t care about those matches. But 1-nils, 8-1 for Fulham, 2-0, 14-1 is not out of the realms of possibility at all, and I just think 11-8 to lift the cup, a little bit skinny but Madrid are 8-15, odds on to lift the cup. Why? I think that should be more like 8-11 evens and so on I really think that there is value in backing Fulham in 90 minutes at 12-5. With the team they’ve got I wouldn’t like to see them go into extra time, I have to say. I think if it gets to 90 minutes you want to start getting away from Fulham and backing Madrid, because you know they are slightly older squad at Fulham and therefore fitness may tell towards the end, but they’ve got a great chance. I do like Al Fayed to get on the pitch and hoist the cup at 15-8. Seriously if you – look at it logically and boringly. Fulham are 11-8 to win it. If they do win it, surely he is going to get on the pitch and lift the cup. So if you fancy Fulham to win it surely take the 15-8 rather than the 11-8 Fulham if you see what I mean. So it’s a fun bet but it’s actually if you look at it logically there’s a bit of value there

A: And what a week for Al Fayed by the way, selling Harrods for £1.5 billion and Fulham lifting the cup. It doesn’t get much better than that.

H: Absolutely. And if you were to have a flutter Alan who would you go for?

A: I love, I’ll be honest my favourite bet is 1-0, 2-0, 2-1. And I would just go in Fulham’s favour. But for first goal I would take the chance with the big fella Hangeland. He’ll be 20 – he’ll be north of 25-1 or around that and as set pieces he’s such a danger. He is a giant, and I just think rather than take 6-1, 7-1 I’d go for the big centreback. I think he’s been outstanding, if he can just get his head on the ball from a Fulham free kick by Duff or a corner. Bingo.

H: Absolutely. Ed any fun flutters from you then?

B: We’ll we’ve got things like Hugh Grant to lift the cup at 33-1. Sir Roy in the New Year’s honours at 33-1. I don’t think that’s a bad bet. He’s manager of the year, football needs a good ambassador

A: Lovely man

B: Yes lovely man and 33-1 for Sir Roy next year. What do you think?

H: Well Ed I don’t really want to comment too much on that, I think I’ll go to a question here from Bob very quickly – “if Fulham do win tomorrow, can you see Roy walking away from Fulham and” – we know he sold Harrods already, Al Fayed – but you know where would Roy go?

A: Well Roy, Roy – you know he’s been tipped with the Liverpool job. Martin O’Neil of course has been tipped as well. The West Ham is available, Zola’s gone, they tell me Avram Grant’s a shoe-in. But Roy Hodgson might, I wouldn’t rule Roy out maybe going from South West London to East London. I hope he stays, I hope Fulham lift the cup and I’d love Roy to stay there, but Liverpool’s definitely – there’s definitely a chance he could go to Anfield

B: I can’t see him going anywhere bar Liverpool. I don’t think he’d go to West Ham. I don’t see the difference, I think Fulham’s as good a club if – well a better club than West Ham personally and so - but to go up to Liverpool, that would be a tempting one. But Al Fayed’s got money in the bank, we know that, it’s all over the press and he said he’s going to invest in Fulham and that’s got to be one of the first investments he makes, so come on Roy, stay with us

H: Well gents thank you very much for your time. Ed from Bodog.com and Alan Brazil

A: Pleasure

H: Two time world cup winner – world cup winner? UEFA cup winner

A: Brazil the country, not me

H: There we go. There we go. The winner of the signed shirt is Ben Walker, that’s just in from us now. Well congratulations Ben, Danny Murphy’s shirt is yours. Well that’s it from us here today. Footballing history could be made for Fulham on Wednesday night, make sure you tune in, that will be in Hamburg against Athletico Madrid. Will Roy Hodgson’s men do it? You’ll have to wait and see