Weekend Football Focus

Ken Dyer|Matt Hughes|Paul Fielder|Evening Standard

13 April 2012

Arsenal v Birmingham
12.30pm Saturday, Highbury - live on Sky Sports 2
Tickets: Sold out.
Last season: 2 (Henry, Wiltord) 0.
Referee: Graham Poll (Tring)
Facts: Birmingham's run of away games without a win has reached 10. Tottenham became only the third team to score twice against Arsenal in a Premiership match this season
Standout bet: Jose Reyes to score the first goal: 8-1 (William Hill)
The Law of Sod suggests that, having crossed the finish line, Arsenal will fall short in their bid to go through a league season unbeaten. Robin van Persie's signing shows there will be no let-up in their pursuit of excellence and, having claimed his side would not lose a game last season, Arsene Wenger will want to be proved right, even if it is a year late. Europe-chasing Birmingham are celebrating after securing Mikael Forsell's services again, but they will not halt the Gunners.
Verdict: WINNERS KEEP WINNING

Aston Villa v Tottenham
3pm Sunday, Villa Park
Away ticket info: £22 (£12-£16 concs). Tel: 0870 420 5000
Last season: 0-1 (Sheringham).
Referee: Neale Barry (Scunthorpe)
Facts: Spurs have gone seven matches without a win, while Frederic Kanoute last scored a Premiership goal in December
Standout bet: Villa home win: 8-11 (Blue Sq, Chandler, Hills, Paddy Power, Premierbet)
Spurs fans seemed happy enough with their team's point against champions Arsenal and most of them were halfway down the Seven Sisters Road by the time the Gunners began their celebrations. At the start of the season you may have perhaps thought it would have been Aston Villa, rather than Spurs, who would have been struggling, but at least they've had the advantage of having a manager.
Verdict: ANOTHER DRAW FOR SPURS

Bolton v Leeds
2pm Sunday, Reebok Stadium - live pay-per-view game
Last season: 0-3 (Mills, Fowler, Wilcox).
Referee: Steve Bennett (Orpington)
Facts: Leeds are unbeaten in seven matches at Bolton and were last defeated in an away game against them in 1978
Standout bet: Kevin Davies to score the first goal: 13-2 (Hills, Stan James)
Leeds' passing from the Premiership will be mourned about as much as the demise of the soon-to-be-bankrupt Geoffrey Richmond and their relegation will be all but confirmed by defeat at Bolton on Sunday.
Verdict: LEEDS DROP DOWN DEEPER

Charlton v Leicester
3pm Saturday, The Valley
Tickets: £20 (£10-£15 concs). Tel: 020 8333 4010.
Referee: Rob Styles (Portsmouth)
Facts: Leicester haven't won a league match at The Valley since a Steve Claridge strike gave them a 1-0 win in April 1996. Jason Euell is Charlton's top scorer with seven goals
Standout bet: Charlton to win 2-0: 7-1 (Blue Sq, Coral, Chandler)
It looks as though Charlton's season, if not technically over, is all but moribund. The 2-0 defeat at Fulham last weekend saw Alan Curbishley's side slip further down the table and another setback tomorrow would wrap it all up. Micky Adams's side managed a point against Manchester City last weekend but it's all too little, too late.
Verdict: CHARLTON LIVEN UP

Chelsea v Southampton
3pm Saturday, Stamford Bridge
Tickets: Sold out.
Last season: 0-0.
Referee: Paul Durkin (Portland)
Facts: Frank Lampard has played 60 matches for Chelsea and England this season scoring 13 times. His best goal return came in 1999/2000, when he scored 14 in 50 games for West Ham and England
Standout bet: Away victory for Southampton: 6-1 (Premierbet, Stan James)
Not long to go now for Claudio Ranieri and that is why he will be determined his faltering team, without a win in their past five matches, somehow stay in second place ahead of Manchester United. The Blues have an important week coming up with the second leg of their European Cup semi-final against Monaco followed by the trip to Old Trafford. A win tomorrow would be the perfect start.
Verdict: CLAUDIO HAPPY

Blackburn v Manchester United
3pm Saturday, Ewood Park
Last season: 1 (Flitcroft) 0.
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
Facts: Diego Forlan hasn't scored an away Premiership goal for Manchester United since netting twice at Anfield in December 2002. Jon Stead has found the net 23 times this season for Huddersfield and Blackburn
Standout bet: Four goals or more in the game: 9-4 (Blue Sq, Chandler)
The Hungry Horse, also known as Ruud van Nistelrooy is reportedly yearning for fresh fields but Manchester United are desperate to close the stable door before he bolts, understandable given that David Bellion and Diego Forlan are about as much use as second-class post. Sir Alex Ferguson will be given one final opportunity to add to his own reputation this summer but needs to buy right as the board will not tolerate another indifferent season. United need to keep hold of Van Nistelrooy and strengthen their midfield if they are to challenge Arsenal.
Verdict: NEIGH BOTHER, ROVERS

Liverpool v M'brough
4.05pm Sunday, Anfield - live on Sky Sports 1
Last season: 1 (Riise) 1 (Geremi).
Referee: Andy D'Urso (Billericay)
Facts: Boro have gone six Premiership away matches without a win and haven't won at Anfield since 1976
Standout bet: No goalscorer: 10-1 (Bet365, Paddy Power)
The video of David Beckham asleep in his Spanish hotel is an interesting concept but not half so riveting as the one which would have resulted if the maker, Sam Taylor-Wood, had picked another day for the bedroom shots. Quite what Michael Owen made of it all is anyone's guess but the Liverpool striker will be more concerned with rediscovering his goal touch tomorrow against Steve McClaren's Middlesbrough.
Verdict: OWEN STRIKES IT LUCKY

Man City v Newcastle
3pm Saturday, City of Manchester Stadium
Last season: 1 (Huckerby) 0.
Referee: Mark Halsey (Bolton)
Facts: City have gone seven games without a victory while Newcastle are unbeaten in their last seven matches
Standout bet: Match to finish level: 12-5 (available generally)
All red-blooded males winced when Robert Huth's big foot came down on Alan Shearer's nether regions last Sunday. But providing the equipment is back where it should be, the striker will be turning out in the Newcastle shirt as usual tomorrow, rather than for Queen of the South. Manchester City may just survive this season, but it's going to be close for beleaguered Kevin Keegan and his team. For Newcastle, that Champions League spot still beckons.
Verdict: SHEARER HAS THE BALLS

Portsmouth v Fulham
3pm Saturday, Fratton Park
Away ticket info: £25 (£14-£17 concs). Tel: 0870 442 1234
Referee: Steve Dunn (Bristol)
Facts: Portsmouth are unbeaten in six matches but haven't recorded a home victory over Fulham since 1980. Steed Malbranque's penalty against Charlton was his 20th Premiership goal for Fulham
Standout bet: Yakubu to score first goal: 5-1 (Bet365, Sky, Tote)
It wasn't long ago that Harry Redknapp's side were looking vulnerable, but the canny Portsmouth manager has done a great job in guiding his team out of troubled waters. They can relax now, safe in the knowledge that they will be back with the big boys again next season, while Fulham still harbour hopes of European football.
Verdict: NO STOPPING POMPEY

Wolves v Everton
3pm Saturday, Molineux
Referee: Mike Riley (Leeds)
Facts: Everton have drawn four of their past five away matches. Alex Rae has gone 14 games for Wolves without scoring
Standout bet: Match to finish in a 1-1 draw: 6-1 (Bet365, Tote)
There will be those Wolves fans clinging to the hope that their team will somehow avoid the drop, but they'll probably wake up eventually. All that remains for David Jones and his men is to play for a bit of pride, while for Everton manager David Moyes the nagging thought remains that he could be in Jones's position next season unless he considerably freshens up his team.
Verdict: WOLVES WIN THIS ONE

Nationwide League

Crystal Palace v Walsall
3pm Saturday, Selhurst Park
Tickets: £19-£25 (£5-£15 concs). Tel: 08712 0000 71
Last season: 2 (Freedman, Routledge) 0.
Referee: David Pugh (Merseyside)
Facts: Andy Johnson has scored 30 goals in all competitions. Palace have won 18 of the 24 league games in which they have scored first
Standout bet: Palace (h-t), Palace (f-t): 10-11 (generally)
Palace fans will be treated to one of the most eagerly anticipated literary comebacks of recent years tomorrow when Simon Jordan's column returns to the club programme. The Palace chairman has kept an unusually dignified silence throughout the season but, with a glimpse of glory on the horizon, has decided to reach for his pen. More praise should be directed towards Iain Dowie.
Verdict: PALACE PEN ANOTHER THRILLER

Derby v Millwall
5.35pm Saturday, Pride Park - live on Sky Sports Xtra
Away ticket info: £18 (£9 concs) available until noon today to members and season ticket holders only. Tel: 020 7231 9999
Last season: 1 (Kinkladze) 2 (Harris, McCammon).
Referee: Mark Cowburn (Lancashire)
Facts: Derby have won just two of 23 games against teams from the top half of Division One
Standout bet: Home win for Derby: 5-4 (Skybet)
Millwall are running out of steam and players in equal measure, and at this rate it would be no surprise to see a youth team contesting the FA Cup Final. The thrill of reaching and desire to stay fit for the big day explains a run of six games without a win since the semi-final but all will be forgiven when the Lions walk out at the Millennium Stadium. Relegation-threatened Derby need a win and should get it.
Verdict: DERBY DUMP THE CUP HEROES

West Ham v Watford
3pm Saturday, Upton Park
Tickets: Home: £27-£39 (£15-£18 concs). Tel: 0870 112 2700. Away: £27 (£15 concs). Tel. 01923 496 010
Referee: Michael Jones (Cheshire)
Facts: Paolo Di Canio scored direct from a free-kick to give West Ham a 1-0 victory when the Hornets last visited in September 1999
Standout bet: Matthew Etherington to score at anytime: 7-2 (Bet365)
The one thing you won't seeWest Ham chairman Terence Brown do now is Whistle a tune. A pressure group of the same name claims that £44million debts make more player sales inevitable. A win over Watford will keep alive West Ham's hopes of a return to the Premiership, where a windfall awaits.
Verdict: BROWN ALLOWED A SECRET SMILE

Grimsby v Brentford
3pm Saturday, Blundell Park
Away ticket info: £16 (£10 concs). Buy tickets at turnstiles only
Referee: Nigel Miller (Co Durham)
Facts: Grimsby have failed to score in 16 league games this season
Stand out bet: Away win for Brentford: 2-1 (Bet Direct)
A win at Grimsby would almost guarantee Brentford's survival in the Second Division, a remarkable recovery from the doom and gloom of a couple of months ago. Undefeated in seven matches under Martin Allen, the Bees deserve to stay up.
Verdict: BEES FINALLY OFF THEIR KNEES

QPR v Swindon
3pm Saturday, Loftus Road
Tickets: Sold out
Last season: 2 (Gallen, Langley) 0.
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)
Facts: Rangers have won their past four home games against Swindon
Standout bet: Swindon's Rory Fallon to score the first goal: 15-2 (Bet365)
Agent Gianni Paladini is hoping to perform an Italian job on QPR and they could be celebrating promotion with pizza and Peroni. First they must beat Swindon, but a draw seems likely.
Verdict: RANGERS KEEP SWEATING

York v Leyton Orient
3pm Saturday, Bootham Crescent
Away ticket info: £13-£14 (£8-£9 concs), pay at the turnstiles
Last season: 3 (Brass, Parkin, Bullock) 2 (Nugent, Martin)
Referee: Colin Webster (Tyne & Wear)
Facts: Orient's run of 13 games without a league victory is way short of their longest winless sequence which stretched to 23 in 1962-63
Stand out bet: York win: 7-4 (Bet Direct, Hills)
Orient are just about safe from relegation but don't deserve to be after a run of 13 matches without a win. They could finally get the victory they need at relegated York.
Verdict: 14th TIME LUCKY FOR ORIENT

FA Women's Cup Final

Arsenal v Charlton
1pm Monday, Loftus Rd - live on BBC One
Tickets: £3 (£5 on the day at the turnstiles), £1 children and OAPS. Tel: 0870 112 1967
Facts: Julie Fleeting and England captain Faye White scored Arsenal's goals in their 2-0 semi-final victory over Bristol Rovers. Carmaine Walker hit Charlton's only goal as they beat Birmingham 1-0 to reach the final
Standout bet: Charlton win: 8-11 (Bet365)
It's not often that Charlton are going for the Treble and Arsenal the underdogs in a London derby, but that's exactly the situation in the big match on Monday, the Women's FA Cup Final. Charlton have already wrapped up the League Cup and are top of the Premier League, although Arsenal can still win it. If the Gunners add the FA Cup, too, they will have upstaged their more famous male counterparts, who only managed the paltry Premiership.
Verdict: NO FA CUP JOY FOR GUNNERS THIS SEASON

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