Weekend Football Focus

Ken Dyer|Matt Hughes|Paul Fielder|Evening Standard

13 April 2012

Birmingham v Newcastle
3pm Saturday, St Andrew's
Last season: 0-2 (Solano, Ameobi).
Referee: Rob Styles (Portsmouth)
Facts: Birmingham have lost only one of the six games that Darren Purse has played this season. Laurent Robert's 11 goals for Newcastle is his best haul since moving to Tyneside
Standout bet: Laurent Robert to score the first goal: 9-1 (Bet365, P Power, Coral, Skybet)
A few months ago Steve Bruce was rumoured to be on the verge of quitting St Andrew's to take over from Bobby Robson at Newcastle, but he would be silly to walk out now. The Blues are in the fifth round of the FA Cup, have established themselves as a top 10 club and Bruce has money to spend. Robson's position is less stable and the Blues could claim a league double.
Verdict: BRUCE EARNS LOYALTY BONUS

Charlton v Bolton
3pm Saturday, The Valley
Tickets: Sold out
Last season: 1 (Fish) 1 (Djorkaeff).
Referee: Chris Foy (St Helens)
Facts: Bolton last won a game without Jay-Jay Okocha when they beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford in September 2002
Standout bet: Home win for Charlton: 10-11 (Stanley)
Somehow, Charlton manager Alan Curbishley and his admirable team must put the Scott Parker situation behind them and get back to what they do best, which is winning more games than they lose. At some clubs this kind of saga is almost commonplace but over at The Valley it's a rarity. The club, instead, should be rejoicing in the fact that they're in fourth in the league and likely to stay there, at least for the time being.
Verdict: BE HAPPY, CHARLTON

Fulham v Tottenham
3pm Saturday, Loftus Road
Tickets: Fulham: £26-£33 (£12-£26 concs). Tel. 0870 442 1234; Spurs: sold out
Last season: 3 (Inamoto, Malbranque, Legwinski) 2 (Richards, Sheringham)
Referee: Matt Messias (York)
Facts: Fulham midfielder Lee Clark has gone 13 games without a goal. Gary Doherty's goal at Manchester City last week was his first for Tottenham since last February
Standout bet: Draw (half-time); draw (full-time): 9-2 (Stanley, Tote)
Both David Pleat and Chris Coleman have had to come to terms with life without their star strikers. While Spurs will eventually welcome back Freddie Kanoute, the Mali marvel himself, Fulham know Louis Saha has gone for good. Never mind, onward and upward which is what Coleman's team have been doing for much of the season, and what Spurs have done so far in 2004.
Verdict: SPURS TO EDGE THIS DERBY

Leeds v Middlesbrough
3pm Saturday, Elland Road
Last season: 2 (Viduka 2) 3 (Maccarone, Juninho, Geremi).
Referee: Graham Poll (Tring)
Facts: There were nine goals in the two meetings between these sides last season and they have already had five in the 3-2 win for Leeds at the Riverside in August
Standout bet: Middlesbrough (half-time); Leeds (full-time): 28-1 (Bet365, P Power, Hills)
Leeds' creditors may be prepared to give them more time to pay up and put their house in order, but the Premiership table is far less forgiving. Five straight defeats have taken Eddie Gray's side to the brink. The once miserly Middlesbrough have started conceding goals, so Leeds could sneak a win.
Verdict: HAPPY GRAYS

Leicester v Aston Villa
3pm Saturday, Walkers Stadium
Referee: Jeff Winter (Stockton-on-Tees)
Facts: Leicester haven't won since November's 2-0 victory at Portsmouth but have drawn four of their last five Premiership games. Villa haven't won at Leicester since 1987
Standout bet: Home win for Leicester: 8-5 (Victor Chandler, Stanley)
It was only a few years ago that Leicester styled itself as this country's sporting capital, but that boast has now been exposed. The Tigers no longer dominate rugby union, Leicestershire are in the second division of the County Championship and City's stay in the top flight looks like being brief. It's crunch time for Micky Adams's men and Villa may profit tomorrow.
Verdict: LEICESTER ON THE SLIDE

Liverpool v Everton
3pm Saturday, Anfield
Last season: 0-0.
Referee: Steve Bennett (Orpington)
Facts: Everton have not won a derby match since September 1999 when Kevin Campbell scored the only goal of the game at Anfield. Campbell's last goal for Everton came on the final day of last season in the 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Manchester United.
Standout bet: Steven Gerrard to score the first goal: 20-1 (Stan James)
Managers talk glibly about game plans and strategy these days but all that goes right out of the pvc double glazing tomorrow when Everton go marauding across Stanley Park and into Anfield. The pre-match orders for playing in the Merseyside derby have usually been from the "kick it if it moves" school of tactics and historically the only time you draw breath during the 90 minutes is when the stretcher comes on. It will also be interesting to see who comes out on top between Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney.
Verdict: RED THE RIGHT COLOUR

Man United v Southampton
12.30pm Saturday, Old Trafford - live on Sky Sports 2
Last season: 2 (P Neville, Forlan) 1 (Fernandes)
Referee: Graham Barber (Tring)
Facts: James Beattie has scored just one Premiership goal since October. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored just once in 21 appearances for United
Standout bet: Louis Saha to score the first goal: 9-2 (Bet365)
Taking on the FA is one thing but when you pick a quarrel with high-rollers such as JP McManus and John Magnier, that's something altogether different. Sir Alex seems as chipper as ever, though, which he should be after signing his new contract. Gordon Strachan, in contrast, seems to be just biding his time until he can take his final bow and let someone else take all the aggravation. One man's meat . . .
Verdict: SIR ALEX STILL SMILING

Portsmouth v Wolves
3pm Saturday, Fratton Park
Last season: 1 (Stone) 0.
Referee: Mike Riley (Leeds)
Facts: Wolves have not won in their past 13 away games, while Portsmouth are unbeaten in four home matches
Standout bet: Matthew Taylor to score the first goal: 16-1 (Stan James)
The transfer window has been reasonably quiet but Harry Redknapp may need to have the old dog and bone surgically removed from his ear. Harry's bring-and-buy winter sale may breathe new life into his struggling Portsmouth side, however, and he badly needs the points against a Wolves side who will have taken plenty of confidence from their recent displays against Manchester United and Liverpool.
Verdict: HARRY DEALS THE TRUMP CARD

Arsenal v Manchester City
4.05pm Sunday, Highbury - live on Sky Sports 1
Tickets: Sold out
Last season: 2 (Wiltord, Henry) 1 (Anelka).
Referee: Alan Wiley (Burntwood)
Facts: City, who last won at Highbury in 1975, have gone 11 Premiership games without a victory. Ashley Cole has played 17 games for Arsenal without receiving a yellow card . . . but he earned a red against Leicester!
Standout bet: More than two goals: 4-6 (Stan James)
I'm not sure what the modern-day equivalent is of throwing your toys out of the pram - perhaps it's hurling your PlayStation through the open window of mum's Land Rover - but Kevin Keegan has been known to have had a paddy or two during his management career. His Manchester City side can't buy a win at the moment and boiling point may not be far off for Keegan, particularly as his side will get nothing at Highbury.
Verdict: DUCK, THERE GOES MORE TOYS

Blackburn v Chelsea
2pm Sunday, Ewood Park - live pay-per-view game
Away ticket info: £25 (£10-£15 concs). Tickets for Chelsea fans will be available at Ewood Park
Last season: 2 (Dunn, Thompson) 3 (Gronkjaer, Zola 2)
Referee: Dermot Gallagher
Facts: Only the bottom three sides have conceded more league goals than Blackburn this season. Chelsea haven't lost at Ewood Park since 1998
Standout bet: Four goals or more in the game: 21-10 (Blue Square)
When you pay top dollar in a restaurant, you expect a gourmet meal to match. Roman Abramovich has done just that in football terms but what his team served up at Scarborough was more chicken in a basket than haute cuisine. How the referee didn't give the home team a penalty when William Gallas handled remains one of the great mysteries of our time and Chelsea must raise their game considerably at Blackburn.
Verdict: THAT'S BETTER, BLUES

Nationwide League

Crewe v Millwall
3pm Saturday, Gresty Road
Away ticket info: £16.50 (£4.50-£13.50 concs). Available to season ticket holders and members only. Tel. 020 7231 9999
Referee: Steve Tanner (Gloucestershire)
Facts: Millwall, who have never won at Crewe, are unbeaten in three away games. Crewe had conceded just one goal the three games prior to the 6-4 goalfest against Ipswich at Portman Road
Standout bet: Score draw: 7-2 (Bet365)
In many ways Dennis Wise was the perfect managerial appointment for Millwall, and not just because he and the club are equally loathed by many football fans. Wise has instilled his own fierce work ethic and will to win into an underachieving squad, with the result that they are now difficult to beat. Millwall have lost once in eight games and should get at least a point at Crewe.
Verdict: WISE MAKES HIS POINT

C Palace v Wimbledon
3pm Saturday, Selhurst Park
Tickets: £19-£25 (£5-£15 concs). Tel. 08712 0000 71
Last season: 0-1 (Andersen).
Referee: Keith Hill (Hertfordshire)
Facts: Palace have won their last four away league games but have managed just one victory in 9 Division One home matches
Standout bet: Palace (half-time); Palace (f-t): 7-5 (Bet365, Hills)
Tony Blair may have wriggled off the hook this week but it will take more than the intervention of a one-eyed judge to rescue Wimbledon from their current plight. Stuart Murdoch's side are at the bottom of the First Division and losing players as quickly as they are haemorrhaging money. Iain Dowie has improved Palace's displays and they should compound their former tenants' misery.
Verdict: PALACE ADD TO DONS' DOOM

West Brom v Watford
3pm Saturday, The Hawthorns
Away ticket info: £20 (£11 concs). Tel. 01923 496010
Referee: Phil Crossley (Kent)
Facts: With Rob Hulse suspended and Scott Dobie injured, Geoff Horsfield and Lee Hughes are West Brom's only available strikers
Standout bet: Albion home win: 4-7 (Victor Chandler, Ladbrokes)
The optimism engendered by Watford's FA Cup heroics against Chelsea has long since frittered away. Ray Lewington's side have not won for four games, conceding nine goals in their last two outings, and are struggling to stay out of the relegation dogfight. West Brom are looking to take the more palatable route out of the division and should record a straight-forward win.
Verdict: MORE WOE FOR WATFORD

West Ham v Rotherham
3pm Saturday, Upton Park
Tickets: £22-£32 (£1-£15 concs). Kids for a quid before Saturday. Tel. 0870 112 2700
Referee: Grant Hegley (Hertfordshire)
Facts: West Ham won 8-0 when Rotherham last visited Upton Park in 1958. David Connolly has scored three goals in his last four games. Rotherham have gone five games without a win
Standout bet: Four goals or more in the game: 15-8 (Blue Square)
The Upton Park faithful are Happy Hammers again. Sunday's FA Cup win over Wolves has convinced fans their team can win promotion, but why stop there? Alan Pardew's side beat Wolves, who the week before had beaten Manchester United, making West Ham de facto champions! Arise Sir Alan! In the real world things are more complicated and it is difficult to be too optimistic about a team who have won three of their last 17 league games. But anything is possible in this mediocre division.
Verdict: HAPPY HAMMERS

Brentford v Port Vale
3pm Saturday, Griffin Park
Tickets: £14-£18 (£3-£13 concs). Tel. 0870 900 9229
Last season: 1 (Hunt) 1 (Paynter).
Referee: Mick Thorpe (Suffolk)
Facts: Goalkeeper Alan Julian makes his 11th appearance for Brentford tomorrow, having been on the winning side in three of his ten previous outings. Port Vale last won at Brentford in 1993
Standout bet: Away win for Port Vale: 8-5 (Bet365)
Brentford are the proud owners of the biggest advertising hoarding in Europe - it's on their roof - with the small problem that no company wants their name associated with the Bees. Given their dreadful form it's hardly surprising, but a run of 11 games without a win must surely end sometime. Musn't it?
Verdict: BEES BACK TO WINNING WAYS

Chesterfield v QPR
3pm Saturday, Saltergate
Away ticket info: £13 (£7 concs), terrace only. Tel. 0870 112 1967
Last season: 2 (Hurst, Brandon) 4 (Pacquette, Shittu, Furlong, Thomson)
Referee: Iain Williamson (Berkshire)
Facts: Third from bottom Chesterfield are unbeaten in their last six home matches. QPR's Paul Furlong hasn't scored since September
Standout bet: Home win for Chesterfield: 3-1 (Skybet, Stan James)
After two successive defeats, admittedly in different competitions, Rangers are experiencing a mini-crisis but they should not fear. Ian Holloway has an analogy for every occasion and should inspire his team to victory.
Verdict: HOLLOWAY ON RIGHT ROAD

Cheltenham v L Orient
3pm Saturday, Whaddon Road
Away ticket info: £13-£15 (£5-£12 concs). Pay at turnstiles
Referee: Graham Salisbury (Lancashire)
Facts: Cheltenham beat Orient 4-1 at Brisbane Road in August. Orient have lost one of their last five matches
Standout bet: Gary Alexander to score the first goal: 6-1 (Bet365)
Orient are aiming to go from second bottom in Autumn to promotion in the spring, but they are at least going about it in the right way. Martin Ling's side have won three out of their last four games and should continue their good run against a Cheltenham team without a win in six.
Verdict: FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR ORIENT

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