Weekend Football Focus

Manchester United v Fulham
12.30pm Saturday, Old Trafford - live on Sky Sports 2
Away ticket info: Sold out
Referee: Rob Styles (Portsmouth)
Facts: Manchester United have gone seven games since keeping a clean sheet. Ryan Giggs has scored just one goal in his past 12 matches for United. Fulham have scored two 90th-minute goals and one in extra time in their run to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Standout bet: Match to finish in a score draw: 5-1 (Bet365)
For those who work in the industry, football often seems omnipotent. Then, just occasionally, something comes along to put everything into perspective. Chris Coleman's recent health problems have certainly done that for the likeable Fulham manager but happily he will be back in the dugout for tomorrow's clash at Old Trafford. If he needs any further tonic, it will be the absence of his former star Louis Saha, who is cup-tied.
Verdict: COLEMAN'S SIDE GOOD FOR A REPLAY

Millwall v Tranmere
1pm Sunday, The Den - live on BBC1
Tickets: Sold out
Referee: Neale Barry (Scunthorpe)
Facts: Eugene Dadi is Tranmere's top scorer this season with 13 goals, hitting three in his past five games. Kerry Dixon and Keith Stevens were on the mark for Millwall when Tranmere were last at The Den in 1995 - the game ending in a 2-2 draw
Standout bet: Millwall minus one goal on handicap: 6-4 (Bet Direct)
Millwall will be contemplating changing their stadium's name to Den's Dreamland if messrs Wise and Wilkins can guide their team through to the semi-finals. The Lions limbered up for Sunday's clash against Second Division Tranmere with a feisty encounter against Sheffield United in midweek. By all accounts they were unlucky not to earn at least a point, but the fans will forgive them the slip-up if their heroes can go to within a step of Cardiff.
Verdict: LIONS RAMPANT

Sunderland v Sheffield United
4.05pm Sunday, Stadium of Light - live on Sky Sports 1
Referee: Steve Dunn (Gloucestershire)
Facts: Sunderland have gone 13 games at the Stadium of Light without defeat and haven't lost at home against the Blades since 1991. Michael Tonge hasn't scored in his past 18 games
Standout bet: Four goals or more in the match: 5-2 (Blue Square, Tote)
What price Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy up against his former club Millwall in the semi-finals? It's a distinct possibility following the quarter-final draw which paired together these two First Division rivals. Both still have realistic promotion ambitions but all that will be forgotten on Sunday as they engage in what is bound to be a full-blooded encounter at the Stadium of Light.
Verdict: SHEFFIELD STEEL WINS IT

Premiership

Birmingham v Bolton
3pm Saturday, St Andrew's
Last season: 3 (Purse, Savage, Horsfield) 1 (Okocha).
Referee: TBA
Facts: Mikael Forssell has hit four goals in five games and 13 in total for Birmingham this season. Bolton last won at St Andrew's in 1990
Standout bet: Home win for Birmingham: 11-10 (Bet365, Coral, P Power, Stanley)
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce was understandably bitterly disappointed with his team's Carling Cup Final defeat but his after-match quotes about some of referee Mike Riley's decisions brought two words to mind: 'sour' and 'grapes'. His side must now banish the bitter aftertaste of defeat from their mouths and try to beat a resilient Birmingham side, who caught Middlesbrough still in celebratory mood on Wednesday night.
Verdict: SAM'S NO HAPPIER

Nationwide League

Crystal Palace v Reading
3pm Saturday, Selhurst Park
Tickets: £19-£25 (£5-£15 concs). Tel: 08712 0000 71
Last season: 0-1 (Forster).
Referee: Graham Poll (Hertfordshire)
Fact: Palace have lost four of their past five home matches against Reading
Standout bet: Palace home win: 11-10 (Bet365)
Steve Coppell has returned to Selhurst several times since stepping down at Palace for the umpteenth time. Normally, the supporters look on longingly, but this time it should be different with no one ready to swap Iain Dowie just yet.
Verdict: STEVE COPS IT

Stoke City v Watford
3pm Saturday, Britannia Stadium
Away ticket info: £19 (£12 concs), available on the day
Last season: 1 (Mooney) 2 (Helguson, Cox).
Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne & Wear)
Fact: Watford are unbeaten in four games and have kept three clean sheets in a row
Standout bet: Home win for Stoke: 11-10 (Stan James)
Managers have to be ruthless but Ray Lewington possibly overstepped the mark last week, plotting the demolition of a Wimbledon defence including his son Dean. Hornets look good to get their fourth win in a row.
Verdict: RAY OF HOPE FOR HORNETS

West Ham v Walsall
3pm Saturday, Upton Park
Tickets: Sold out.
Referee: Graham Laws (Tyne & Wear)
Fact: West Ham are unbeaten in the League since Boxing Day
Standout bet: West Ham to score four goals or more: 6-1 (Bet365)
Potential play-offs involving West Ham, Crystal Palace and Millwall may be good news for London football, if not the Met, but Hammers fans have other ideas. Alan Pardew is still targeting automatic promotion and the visit of Walsall is as close as you can get to a home banker.
Verdict: HAMMERS BOUNCING BACK

QPR v Oldham
3pm Saturday, Loftus Road
Tickets: £17-£24 (£9-£12 concs). Tel: 0870 112 1967
Last season: 1 (Rose) 2 (Low, Duxbury).
Referee: Steve Tanner (South Gloucs)
Facts: QPR have not kept a clean sheet in eight but Oldham have not won away in 13
Standout bet: Jamie Cureton to score the first goal: 9-2 (Bet365)
Ian Holloway is unhappy about supporters booing his team but at least he hasn't suffered the Gerard Houllier treatment. The QPR faithful should get behind their team, who can go second with a win over Oldham.
Verdict: RANGERS SILENCE DOUBTERS

Swindon v Brentford
3pm Saturday, County Ground
Away ticket info: £13-£21 (£7-£13 concs). Brentford fans can pay at the turnstiles
Last season: 2 (Gurney, Parkin) 1 (Vine).
Referee: Kevin Wright (Northamptonshire)
Fact: Swindon scored at least two in their past seven matches Standout bet: Swindon to score three goals or more: 2-1 (Bet365)
After appearing on Channel 4's Faking It this week, Wally Downes may be feeling he has been conned by an entire squad of ballerinas and bowel surgeons. There were tears after the defeat by Notts County and with just one win in 17 games Downes could have something to cry about.
Verdict: TEARS AND FEARS FOR BRENTFORD

Bury v Leyton Orient
3pm Saturday, Gigg Lane
Away ticket info: £12 (£5-£8 concs). Orient fans pay at turnstiles
Last season: 0-1 (Martin).
Referee: Carl Boyeson (East Yorkshire)
Fact: Bury have not lost for four games while Orient have not won in their last three
Standout bet: Game to finish in a score draw: 7-2 (Bet365)
Disgruntled Orient fans would do well to remember where they've come from. Orient were second bottom of the table in the autumn and under Martin Ling appear well equipped to challenge for promotion next season.
Verdict: TOO LITTLE TOO LATE FOR ORIENT