Weekend Football Focus

Matt Hughes|Paul Fielder|Evening Standard

13 April 2012

Chelsea v Tottenham
3pm Saturday, Stamford Bridge
Tickets: Sold out
Last season: 1 (Zola) 1 (Sheringham).
Referee: Graham Poll (Tring)
Facts: Chelsea, who are yet to keep a Premiership clean sheet this season, have scored in every home game this year and striker Adrian Mutu has amassed six goals in six games for club and country. Spurs have failed to score in three of their four games
Standout bet: Chelsea minus one goal on handicap: 6-4 (Stan James)
Peter Kenyon was responsible for removing the words "Football Club" from Manchester United's shirts and his new outfit Chelsea have long ceased to be solely interested in sport. Like a spoilt child, Roman Abramovich wants his new toy to be simply the best, though whispers that he's set to recruit Alastair Campbell to run the Communications Department and Alan Greenspan to handle petty cash appear wide of the mark. Kenyon's arrival increases the pressure on Claudio Ranieri to produce results on the pitch, but the Italian's second team would probably be too good for Tottenham at the minute. Sorry Spurs have not beaten Chelsea in the league in 26 attempts going back to 1990, a dismal run that is unlikely to change tomorrow.
Verdict: RELIEF FOR RANIERI

Arsenal v Portsmouth
3pm Saturday, Highbury
Tickets: Sold out
Referee: Alan Wiley (Burntwood)
Facts: Portsmouth lost 6-0 on their last league visit to Highbury in 1987. Alan Smith (3), David Rocastle, Tony Adams and Paul Davis scored for Arsenal. Ashley Cole has not scored for over a year
Standout bet: Arsenal to win by two goals or more: 8-11 (Bet365)
All good things must come to an end, as Trevor Birch discovered to his cost this week, and Portsmouth's unbeaten start to the season seems certain to be halted by Arsenal. The Pompey chimes have not rung out in celebration of a victory at Highbury since 1955, around about the time the Gunners' move to Ashburton Grove was first mooted, and their last league visit 16 years ago ended in a 6-0 thrashing. Harry Redknapp's already red face will be spared that embarrassment and should remain the right side of crimson, as his side have conceded only two goals this season. But the Gunners have too much class and should extend their 100 per cent record.
Verdict: GUNNERS STAY ON TOP

Charlton v Manchester United
3pm Saturday, The Valley
Tickets: Sold out
Last season: 1 (Jensen) 3 (Scholes, Giggs, Van Nistelrooy).
Referee: Mike Riley (Leeds)
Facts: Charlton have won only one of their last seven home games and United have never lost in a Premiership game at The Valley. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has not scored in his last 10 appearances for Manchester United
Standout bet: Manchester United to win 2-0: 13-2 (Coral)
Forget about Chelsea if you can, as Charlton are in need of their own Roman. Alan Curbishley's side have recovered impressively from their opening-day rout by Manchester City but will surely need a first contribution from Paolo Di Canio if they are to fare better against the champions. Charlton have not beaten United in 11 games since 1989 but Di Canio boasts a better record. The Italian dumped United out of the FA Cup with his famous "offside" goal for West Ham in 2000, and Sir Alex Ferguson was so impressed he tried to sign him. Di Canio has yet to start a game for Charlton but, after scoring twice for the reserves in midweek, could inspire them to a hard-earned draw.
Verdict: PAOLO INSPIRES A POINT

Birmingham v Fulham
4.05pm Sunday, St Andrews - live on Sky Sports 1
Away ticket info: £30 (£15 concs). Tel: 0870 442 1234
Last season: 0-0.
Referee: Steven Dunn (Bristol)
Facts: Birmingham are unbeaten in seven home games and are yet to concede with former Fulham goalkeeper Maik Taylor in goal this season. French midfielder Sylvain Legwinski has scored just one goal in the last 12 months
Standout bet: David Dunn to score the first goal: 9-1 (Bet365)
Most matches involving that lank-haired princess Robbie Savage tend to be bruising affairs, particularly if he's toiling with a toilet seat, and this will be no exception. Three players have been sent off in the last two Premiership meetings between these sides but the real action centred on a non-combatant, Clinton Morrison's mother Angela. The feisty Ma Morrison became embroiled in a furious row with former Fulham full-back Rufus Brevett after Birmingham's 1-0 win at Loftus Road last season, leading to a ban on the Blues' friends and family using the players' lounge when they returned for an FA Cup tie the following month. Angela will be free to tuck into the traditional Blue Balti at St Andrews on Sunday as Birmingham look to extend their unbeaten start.
Verdict: REVENGE FOR MA MORRISON

Nationwide Division 1

Sunderland v C Palace
3pm Saturday, Stadium of Light
Away ticket info: £23 (£17 concs). Tel: 08712 000 071
Referee: Graham Salisbury (Lancashire)
Facts: Palace are unbeaten in their last four away games but haven't won in eight league games at Sunderland, dating back to 1979. Mick McCarthy's side have kept clean sheets in their last three matches
Standout bet: Home win for Sunderland: 10-11 (Ladbrokes)
Steve Kember would probably lose some men on a team trip around Sainsbury's at the moment, such is his players' penchant for getting sent off. Tommy Black earned his second red card of the season - his team's sixth in seven matches - in last week's supposed friendly against Brescia and such disciplinary problems will surely affect Palace's promotion challenge. Sunderland's long overdue revival has begun with three successive victories and Palace would be pleased to return with a point, and 11 men, from the Stadium of Light.
Verdict: SCORE DRAW

Watford v Millwall
12.30pm Saturday, Vicarage Road - live on Sky Sports 1
Tickets: Home: £15 -£20 (£5-£10 concs). Tel: 01923 496 010; Away: £15 (£10 concs). Tel: 020 7231 9999. No tickets will be available to Millwall fans at the turnstiles
Last season: 0-0.
Referee: Barry Knight (Kent)
Facts: Millwall, for whom striker Bob Peeters has scored three goals in two games, have won four and drawn one of their last five visits to Vicarage Road. Watford have made their worst start to a season since 1990-91 when they failed to win any of their first nine league games
Standout bet: Away win for Millwall: 13-8 (Blue Square, Hills)
Ray Lewington has endured a tougher time than David Blaine recently, though at least the Watford manager hasn't been pelted with eggs. (And even if he was he'd be able to eat them, assuming they were hard-boiled, of course.) While Blaine battles with his appetite, Watford are equally hungry for their first win of the season but may have to settle for a point against a resilient Millwall.
Verdict: WATFORD KEPT WAITING

West Ham v Reading
3pm Saturday, Upton Park
Tickets: £22-£32 (£5-£15 concs). Tel: 020 8548 2700. Supporters are advised to purchase tickets in advance
Referee: Dermot Gallagher (Oxfordshire)
Facts: This is the first league meeting between these sides. Jermain Defoe and David Connolly have scored all West Ham's goals this season
Standout bet: Jermain Defoe to score first goal: 9-2 (Ladbrokes)
Neither team will have a permanent manager in place for tomorrow's clash, following Glenn Roeder's sacking and Alan Pardew's resignation so he can take over at Upton Park. But who needs a full-time boss when you've got Trevor Brooking? The West Ham legend is the king of the caretakers with four wins and a draw from his five games in charge and should be awarded a golden broom. Brooking should take his bow after this game, with Pardew taking his place, and should sign off in style.
Verdict: BROOKING BOWS OUT WITH A WIN

Wimbledon v Wigan
3pm Saturday, Selhurst Park
Tickets: £20 (£12 concs). Tel: 08712 000 071
Referee: Mark Cooper (West Midlands)
Facts: Wimbledon host Wigan in a league game for the first time since March 1984 when Paul Fishenden and Stewart Evans scored for the Dons in a 2-2 draw. Wigan are unbeaten in five matches
Standout bet: Game to finish level: 9-4 (Blue Sq, Coral, Tote)
Wimbledon's website has the audacity to claim that their move to the National Hockey Stadium is developing at a "rapid pace", but their progress is more akin to an asthmatic weighed down by some heavy shopping. Their on-pitch development has also stalled and four successive defeats suggest a relegation battle lies ahead. It could be a long season and not just for the builders in Milton Keynes.
Verdict: DONS DOWN IN THE DUMPS

Nationwide Divisions 2 & 3

Queens Park Rangers v Wycombe
3pm Saturday, Loftus Road
Tickets: £17-£24 (£9-£12 concs). Tel: 020 8740 2575
Last season: 2 (Rose, Gallen) 1 (Dixon).
Referee: Michael Jones (Cheshire)
Facts: Wycombe have lost four of their last five games, letting in 13 goals. Rangers, who are yet to concede a home goal this season, are unbeaten at Loftus Road since March
Standout bet: Three or more goals in the game: 8-11 (Bet365)
QPR's medical team are juggling with an injury crisis as eight first-teamers are ruled out of tomorrow's game, so a visit by Wycombe is just what Dr Holloway ordered. Lawrie Sanchez's side have lost four of their past five games and even a patched-up Rangers should have enough quality to take the points.
Verdict: RANGERS BATTLE THROUGH

Rushden & Diamonds v Brentford
3pm Saturday, Nene Park
Away ticket info: £14 (£4-£9 concs). Brentford fans must pay at the turnstiles
Referee: Mark Warren (West Midlands)
Facts: Rushden are unbeaten in 14 home games dating back to 28 December when Oxford won 2-0. Brentford have failed to score in eight of their last 10 away games
Standout bet: Home win for Rushden: 8-13 (Bet365)
Brentford are trying to sell advertising space on the roof of Griffin Park to take advantage of its location on the Heathrow flight path, but their recent performances have caused many fans to run for cover. Wally Downes's side have lost five of their opening six games and are unlikely to get much joy at Nene Park.
Verdict: BEES BANISHED

Lincoln City v Leyton Orient
3pm Saturday, Sincil Bank
Away ticket info: £13 (£5-£9 concs). Orient supporters must pay at the turnstiles
Last season: 1 (Futcher) 1 (Brazier).
Referee: Lee Probert (South Gloucestershire)
Facts: Orient, who have had three players sent off in their last two games, have gone 10 away matches without a win. Lincoln have failed to score on five of their seven outings this season
Standout bet: Home win for Lincoln: 11-10 (Stan James)
With just one win from their first six games, manager Paul Brush is feeling the pressure and if Orient's results don't pick up he will soon be swept away. Lincoln are also struggling, however, and if the visitors can defend properly for a change then they could get a draw.
Verdict: ORIENT NICK A POINT

Grim opponent of the week

SIR ALEX FERGUSON, Manchester United
Of all the so-called revelations in David Beckham's over-priced and over-hyped autobiography, the observation that Sir Alex Ferguson can get a little bit scary was surely the limpest. Well knock me down and call me Gerald! Apparently the Pope is a Catholic, Becks, don't you know? The United manager's temper tantrums are well documented, but there is a subtler side to His Lordship's powers. Fergie can stir it with the best of them, as shown by his disclosure this week that he was approached by Chelsea, thereby probably adding several noughts to his next contract with a single bark and winding up Chelsea in the process. It would be great to be a fly on the wall next time he chats with old pal Pini Zahavi. Fergie is down in London tomorrow, of course, when his United team play Charlton at The Valley.

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