Football focus

Bolton v Portsmouth
3pm Saturday, Reebok Stadium
Referee: Philip Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent)
Facts: After resting players in their last four FA Cup games, Bolton have gone on to draw three and lose one of the following league matches. Portsmouth last won at Bolton in 1969
Standout bet: Over two goals in the game: Evens (William Hill)
Big Sam Allardyce has hardly endeared himself to the Football Association this week. First came his unwarranted attack on good old Trevor Brooking, then he expressed his delight at being eliminated from the FA's flagship competition. Perhaps the FA should make Bolton play in the Vase instead. Unlike Brooking, Allardyce has not contributed much to the future of English football but his motley crew should beat Portsmouth.
Verdict: SWEET FA FOR POMPEY

Chelsea v Birmingham
4.05pm Sunday, Stamford Bridge - live on Sky Sports 1
Tickets: Corporate packages only left. Tel: 020 7385 7809
Last season: 3 (Gudjohnsen 2, Zola) 0.
Referee: Jeff Winter (Stockton-on-Tees)
Facts: Claude Makelele is the only Chelsea player who has started in each of the club's six defeats this season. Referee Jeff Winter is yet to produce a straight red card in 12 Premiership games
Standout bet: More than two goals in the game: 4-5 (William Hill)
Claudio Ranieri admits that even his own mum thinks he's telling porkies when he says Chelsea are unlikely to sign any players in the transfer window and the latest item from the rumour machine about Ronaldinho was wide of the mark. In fact, I can reveal the Blues were actually keen on signing three players, Ron, Al and Dino from the Romford & District League.
Verdict: CHELSEA'S BLUES BEAT THOSE BLUES FROM BRUM

Everton v Charlton
3pm Saturday, Goodison Park
Away ticket info: £24 (£13 concs). Charlton fans can buy tickets at the turnstiles
Last season: 1 (Radzinski) 0.
Referee: Mike Riley (Leeds)
Facts: Scottish forward James McFadden has yet to open his scoring account for Everton after 13 league appearances. Charlton have kept four clean sheets in their run of six unbeaten Premiership games
Standout bet: Home win for Everton: 5-4 (Bet365, William Hill)
Painful though it is for Charlton and their fans, it looks odds-on that dynamic midfielder Scott Parker will end up at Stamford Bridge sooner rather than later. The one thing Charlton must do is make sure they get the right sort of money for their star man. It's hard to take, I know, but when Mr Abramovich comes knocking with a shed load of money, it's difficult to say no.
Verdict: POINT TO END A DIFFICULT TIME FOR CHARLTON

Manchester City v Blackburn
3pm Saturday, City of Manchester Stadium
Last season: 2 (Anelka, Goater) 2 (Thompson, Cole).
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
Facts: Antoine Sibierski has scored five goals this season, having started only 10 matches. City have gone eight since keeping a clean sheet. Blackburn have conceded 10 goals in their last three games
Standout bet: City win: 6-5 (Bet Direct, William Hill, Paddy Power, Stanley, Tote)
Kevin Keegan treated himself to a couple of Farley's Rusks and an extra large bottle of milk following Wednesday's FA Cup win over Leicester, but the City boss will be spitting his dummy out again if his side fail to build on that victory tomorrow. City have not won a league game since the start of November and should beat an inconsistent Blackburn side who are without a win in three. Nicolas Anelka should be up for it having scored in the week but you never know with him - the Frenchman's mood is as changeable as the Manchester weather.
Verdict: CHILD'S PLAY FOR KEEGAN

Middlesbrough v Leicester
3pm Saturday, Riverside Stadium
Referee: Barry Knight (Orpington)
Facts: Leicester have lost just one of their last five away games against Middlesbrough but have now gone nine matches without a win
Standout bet: Home win for Boro: 4-5 (Bet Direct, Stanley, Tote)
Fans should bring blankets and cushions to the Riverside tomorrow but this game will be no picnic. Middlesbrough's results usually include more zeros than a game of noughts and crosses and the visit of a relegation-threatened Leicester team hardly quickens the pulse. Boro should get a rare home win.
Verdict: BORING BORO ON TOP

Newcastle v Fulham
8pm Monday, St James' Park - live pay-per-view game
Away ticket info: £28 (£15-£24 concs). Tel. 0870 442 1234
Last season: 2 (Solano, Bellamy) 0.
Referee: Neale Barry (Scunthorpe)
Facts: Fulham, who have won three and lost three of their last six matches, haven't won at St James' Park since 1982. Newcastle have scored two goals in five league games
Standout bet: Home win for Newcastle: 4-6 (Bet365)
Fulham, from a distance, seem to be playing the Louis Saha saga about right. They are not responding to a series of diatribes, allegedly from Saha in the French media, and are keeping a collectively cool head. Saha's former team, Newcastle, will go above Fulham if they win.
Verdict: FULHAM FLOUNDER

Southampton v Leeds
3pm Saturday, St Mary's
Last season: 3 (Ormerod, Beattie, A Svensson) 2 (Kewell, Barmby)
Referee: Alan Wiley (Burntwood)
Facts: Southampton's James Beattie has scored once in his last 10 Premiership appearances. Leeds's Alan Smith is back from suspension but has gone seven games without a goal
Standout bet: Leeds away win: 5-1 (Totalbet)
In one dugout we have a wee Scot who has seemingly had enough of management and in the other there is another gentleman from north of the border who would love to have a proper crack at the job. It's Gordon Strachan who will triumph in the battle of the Scots.
Verdict: HOME WIN

Tottenham v Liverpool
3pm Saturday, White Hart Lane
Tickets: Sold out
Last season: 2 (Taricco, Sheringham) 3 (Owen, Heskey, Gerrard)
Referee: Uriah Rennie (Sheffield)
Facts: Frederic Kanoute has not scored in his last six Premiership matches. Liverpool have converted eight penalties this season and are unbeaten in eight away games
Stand out bet: Match to finish level: 23-10 (Bet Direct)
Emile Heskey could be off to Middlesbrough but the question has to be 'why?' There are times, such as against Chelsea, when Heskey looks almost unplayable but there are others, perhaps too many for Gerard Houllier, when his striker just doesn't seem to want to play. Spurs must hope for the latter.
Verdict: SPURS WELL WORTH A POINT

Wolves v Manchester United
12.30pm Saturday, Molineux - live pay-per-view game
Referee: Andy D'Urso (Billericay)
Facts: This is Wolves's fourth home Saturday lunchtime kick-off of the season, having lost 5-0 to Chelsea and drawn 1-1 against Birmingham and Newcastle in the previous three.
Standout bet: Man Utd (half-time), Man Utd (full-time): 5-6 (Bet365)
The Molineux faithful should even now be digging out their old programmes to check on the directions to Millwall and Walsall for next season but, in the meantime, they should stop, smell the roses and enjoy games like this one tomorrow because they may not see Manchester United again for a bit.
Verdict: A STEP NEARER THE BIG DROP FOR WOLVES

Nationwide League

Millwall v Sunderland
3pm Saturday, The Den
Tickets: £15-£25 (£5-£15 concs). Tel: 020 7231 9999
Referee: George Cain (Bootle)
Facts: Sunderland, who last won a league match in London at Chelsea in March 2001, have kept four clean sheets in a row. Millwall have gone four home league matches without a win
Standout bet: Game to finish level: 9-4 (Ladbrokes)
Millwall's strikers have struggled so much lately they couldn't locate a cow, never mind hit its backside with a banjo, and the signing of Danny Dichio reveals manager Dennis Wise's desperation. The former West Brom forward has scored just one goal this season. Wise has succeeded in making his team difficult to beat, but they will have to perform to prevent in-form Sunderland recording their sixth straight win.
Verdict: DANNY NOT SO WISE

Sheffield United v West Ham
5.35pm Saturday, Bramall Lane - live on Sky Sports 1
Away ticket info: £20 (£12 concs). Tel: 0870 112 2700
Referee: Paul Durkin (Portland)
Facts: Paul Peschisolido's hat-trick against Gillingham last week was his first since netting a treble for Fulham against Carlisle in 1998. West Ham are unbeaten in eight away league games
Standout bet: Home win for Sheffield United: 6-5 (Bet365)
Like their former team-mate David James, West Ham's players can't wait to get away from Upton Park at the moment. The Hammers have lost three of their last four home games so will have jumped on the coach quicker than you can say Travelodge. Alan Pardew's men have performed better on the road this season, but a point is the most they can hope for at an in-form Sheffield United.
Verdict: BLADES TOO SHARP FOR RUSTY HAMMERS

Watford v Crystal Palace
3pm Saturday, Vicarage Road
Tickets: Watford: £20-£25 (£5-£10 concs). Tel: 01923 496 010; Palace: £20 (£10 concs). Tel. 08712 0000 71
Last season: 3 (Ardley, Hyde, Helguson) 3 (Mullins 2, Granville).
Referee: Howard Webb (Rotherham)
Facts: Palace haven't won at Vicarage Road for 11 years but have taken six points from their last two away games. Watford's Micah Hyde hasn't scored in 18 matches this season
Standout bet: Watford home win: 13-10 (Bet Direct, Totalbet)
Iain Dowie wants his team to learn how to win ugly and at least they can learn from the master. The Crystal Palace manager scored goals with a grimace on his face throughout his career but life at Selhurst Park is not going too well. Watford, meanwhile, will not roll over lightly as they're looking to bounce back from Wednesday's FA Cup defeat to Chelsea.
Verdict: POINT FOR PALACE

Peterborough v Brentford
3pm Saturday, London Road
Away ticket info: £11-£16 (£8 concs). Pay at turnstiles only
Last season: 5 (Rea, Bullard, Allen, Farrell, A Clarke) 1 (Vine).
Referee: Carl Boyeson (E Yorkshire)
Facts: Brentford, nine games without a win, haven't triumphed at Peterborough since 1998
Standout bet: Peterborough home win: 6-5 (Bet365)
The Christmas post obviously arrived late at Griffin Park as Brentford currently stock more cards than Clintons. Three different players have seen red in the last three games and the Bees will have to keep their cool if they are to avoid a third defeat of the season to Peterborough.
Verdict: NO JOY FOR BRENTFORD

QPR v Brighton
3pm Saturday, Loftus Road
Tickets: £17-£24 (£9-£12 concs) only available to season ticket holders, members, shareholders and supporters on the Loftus Road database. Tel: 0870 112 1967
Referee: Mark Cooper (Walsall)
Facts: Brighton have taken just five points from their last five league games. Rangers beat the Seagulls 2-1 at Loftus Road in the LDV Vans Trophy last month
Standout bet: Home win for Rangers: 8-11 (Stan James)
Leon Knight can expect a torrid reception tomorrow after criticising the club that tried to sign him, but Queens Park Rangers should have the last laugh. QPR have already beaten Brighton at home this season and should make it four wins in a row.
Verdict: RANGERS ROLL ON

Leyton Orient v Mansfield
3pm Saturday, Brisbane Road
Tickets: £12-£16 (£7-£10 concs). Tel: 020 8926 1010
Referee: Steve Tanner (South Gloucestershire)
Facts: Orient have kept clean sheets in their last three home games but were thumped 5-0 at Doncaster last week.
Standout bet: Mansfield victory: 7-5 (Bet365, William Hill)
With the play-offs a distant dream and relegation a remote nightmare, Leyton Orient are playing for themselves. Lee Thorpe has already been placed on the transfer list following last week's hammering at Doncaster and more will follow unless performances improve.
Verdict: ORIENT EXPRESS BACK ON TRACK