Weekend Football Focus

Bolton v Arsenal
3pm Saturday, Reebok Stadium
Away ticket info: Sold out
Last season: 2 (Djorkaeff, Keown og) 2 (Wiltord, Pires)
Referee: Graham Poll (Tring)
Facts: Per Frandsen has not lost when he has scored for Bolton. Patrick Vieira's last league goal was at Maine Road in February
Standout bet: Bolton win: 4-1 (Bet365, Paddy Power, BlueSq, Hills)
Sam Allardyce is under the strange misconception that foreign managers are unfairly feted and is even thinking of changing his name to Allardici, but the Bolton boss cannot have it both ways - he frequently claims his collection of foreign stars and loan signings deserve more credit. After effectively losing the title last season by failing to hold on to a 2-0 lead here, Arsenal will not underestimate Bolton and should make amends for that loss of concentration. Thierry Henry had a rare quiet game against Blackburn and tomorrow he will want to show he is the best player in Bolton, if not the world.
Verdict: HOORAY FOR HENRY

Charlton v Newcastle
3pm Saturday, The Valley
Tickets: £30 (£20-£25 concs), few left. Tel: 020 8333 4010
Last season: 0-2 (Shearer, Solano)
Referee: Steve Bennett (Orpington)
Facts: Newcastle are unbeaten in five; Alan Shearer has hit six goals in his past five appearances. Charlton midfielder Claus Jensen has gone 10 games without scoring
Standout bet: Alan Shearer to score at anytime: 5-4 (Bet365)
Paolo Di Canio is getting on a bit, but has he lost all command of his senses? The Charlton striker apparently sees no evil and hears no evil, certainly where Danny Mills is concerned, though being stamped in the face by a blood-thirsty brute could reduce the best of us to a cowering wreck. Alan Curbishley will need Di Canio at his busy and bustling best as Newcastle have recovered from a poor start to climb the table with ominous speed. The Addicks have been stronger away and must start to win at home to sustain a European challenge.
Verdict: CHARLTON OUT OF TOON

Tottenham v Man Utd
4.05pm Sunday, White Hart Lane - live on Sky Sports 1
Tickets: Sold out.
Last season: 0-2 (Scholes, van Nistelrooy)
Referee: Rob Styles (Portsmouth)
Facts: Ruud van Nistelrooy has scored on his past three visits to White Hart Lane - twice for United and once for Holland. Spurs have one point from eight games against teams from the top half
Standout bet: United to win both halves: 100-30 (Bet365)
One could be forgiven for thinking that Tottenham are the footballing wing of the UK Independence Party, such is their antipathy to Europe. Their best chance of a continental campaign disappeared on Wednesday when Middlesbrough bundled them out of the Carling Cup. When it rains it pours. Spurs' prospects are looking cloudy and, after last week's thrashing at Newcastle, they would have wished for easier opponents. Manchester United have won the last four encounters.
Verdict: DOOM AND GLOOM FOR SPURS

Fulham v Chelsea
3pm Saturday, Loftus Road
Tickets: Fulham: £28-£35 (£14-£28 concs). Tel: 0870 442 1234 Chelsea: Sold out - beamback at Stamford Bridge. Tel: 0870 603 0005 to guarantee a ticket
Last season: 0-0.
Referee: Mike Riley (Leeds)
Facts: Fulham haven't won at home to Chelsea since 1977. Joe Cole's last league goal was for West Ham back in January
Standout bet: Score draw: 4-1 (Bet365)
Last week Claudio Ranieri compared himself to a top-class chef, attempting to achieve the perfect blend from a collection of high-quality ingredients, but recent results have been more Ronald McDonald than Gordon Ramsay. Ranieri will have to spice up his attack in order to break down an obdurate Fulham outfit. Chris Coleman's side are also looking to bounce back after defeat at Leeds, so something has to give, but events on the pitch will be dwarfed by the clash of egos in the boardroom between Ken Bates and Mohamed Fayed.
Verdict: RANIERI FINDS RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

Nationwide Division 1

Cardiff v Millwall
12.30pm Saturday, Ninian Park - live on Sky Sports 2
Away ticket info: Tickets went off sale last night.
Referee: David Pugh (Merseyside) Facts: Millwall, who last won in the league at Ninian Park in 1975, have gone 10 away games without a win. Peter Thorne has scored six in his past four Cardiff games
Standout bet: Cardiff to win to nil: 7-4 (Bet365)
Rumours that two Millwall players were sacked for drug-taking this week were as wide of the mark as the team's finishing. If any player has been using performance-enhancing substances they are entitled to a refund at the chemists because six games have passed since a Millwall win. Cardiff have also slumped after an excellent start to life in the First Division and most of tomorrow's action will take place off the pitch, as the clubs' respective meatheads battle for supremacy.
Verdict: NO MILLWALL ECSTASY

Reading v Crystal Palace
5.35pm Saturday, Madejski Stadium - live on Sky Sports 1
Away ticket info: £20 (£13 concs), pay at turnstiles
Last season: 2 (Brown, Harper) 1 (Johnson)
Referee: Brian Curson (Leicestershire)
Facts: Palace have won only one of 12 games against teams from the top half of the table. Reading have won three in a row at home
Standout bet: Reading (h-t), Reading (f-t): 8-5 (Bet365)
Palace's players disgraced themselves in a food fight at this week's Christmas party in Newcastle - most of them can't even throw straight, apparently - but Simon Jordan could be the one who ends up with the most egg on his face. Palace's demanding chairman set his players the target of finishing in the top two this season, yet they remain in the bottom four despite last week's win over Nottingham Forest.
Verdict: MORE FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOR JORDAN

Walsall v West Ham
3pm Saturday, Bescot Stadium
Away ticket info: £16 (£12 concs). Tel: 0870 112 2700
Referee: Scott Mathieson (Cheshire)
Facts: West Ham have won three of their four away games against Walsall but have gone their past six away games without a win
Standout bet: West Ham to win from behind: 8-1 (Paddy Power)
West Ham proved they can be comeback kids with last week's thrilling 3-2 win over Sunderland. Unfortunately for the Hammers, the man behind last week's salvage operation, Jermain Defoe, will be leaving Upton Park faster than you can say "January sales". Defoe is desperate for a move when the transfer window opens and may not even stick around for the second verse of Auld Lang Syne, but should score plenty of goals in the meantime.
Verdict: DEFOE SIGNS OFF IN STYLE