Weekend Football Focus

Manchester United v Arsenal
4.05pm Sunday, Old Trafford - live on Sky Sports 1
Away ticket info: Sold out
Last season: 2 (Veron, Scholes) 0.
Referee: Steve Bennett (Orpington)
Facts: Diego Forlan, on the bench for Tuesday's 5-0 win against Panathinaikos, has not scored in his last 16 appearances for Manchester United. Arsenal had two Englishmen in their line-up for the Champions League defeat against Internazionale on Wednesday; United had four, plus a Welshman and an Irishman
Standout bet: Cristiano Ronaldo to be named Sky's man of the match: 9-1 (Paddy Power)
The last time the Big Two met at Old Trafford - in the FA Cup in March - Arsenal put the boot into United on the field, while Sir Alex Ferguson did something similar to David Beckham off it. The Bootgate bust-up ultimately resulted in the England captain leaving Manchester for Real Madrid. How Arsene Wenger must be hoping Ruud van Nistelrooy slacks off his defensive duties on Sunday. Wenger's men will certainly have to crank up their game several notches from Wednesday's Champions League debacle but one thing we can do without is a deluge of diving. Robert Pires has said he is not a diver. In fact, he probably doesn't like getting his hair wet at all.
Verdict: GUNNERS UP AGAINST IT THIS TIME

Aston Villa v Charlton
3pm Saturday, Villa Park
Away tickets info: £22 (£6-£12 concs). Tel: 020 8333 4010
Last season: 2 (De La Cruz, Moore) 0.
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)
Facts: Charlton, who have failed to score in their last two matches, have lost their last three games at Villa Park. German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger has not scored in 21 games for Villa
Standout bet: Home win for Aston Villa: 10-11 (Bet365, BlueSq, Lads, Tote)
There are not many strikers who work harder at the defending part of the game than Jason Euell but he needs to brush up on his tackling. The red card flourished his way following a cumbersome lunge at Manchester United's Gary Neville last weekend made his manager Alan Curbishley see a similar colour and with three Charlton players going off in the last five matches, everyone needs to be a little more circumspect. Up in the Midlands, the familiar rumblings of discontent are already reverberating around Villa Park while the Doug Ellis fan club are nowhere to be seen. Rumour has it that the chain broke on their tandem.
Verdict: CHARLTON KEEP THEIR HEADS AND THE POINTS

Fulham v Manchester City
3pm Saturday, Loftus Road
Tickets: £26-£33 (£12-£26 concs). Tel: 0870 442 1234
Last season: 0-1 (Anelka).
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)
Facts: Fulham have failed to beat City, and have scored only once, in their last five meetings. Kevin Keegan's men have won both Premiership away games, without conceding a goal, while Fulham are unbeaten in three at home
Standout bet: Steed Malbranque to score the first goal: 11-1 (Coral)
Fulham's Luis Boa Morte does have a tendency to wind up the opposition tighter than a coiled spring but what on earth was Birmingham's Darren Purse doing last Sunday? For all the world it looked like I had changed channels by mistake and I was watching Saracens. Keeping his head admirably so far, though, has been Fulham manager Chris Coleman, who might yet make a few prophets of doom - me included - hang their heads. Tomorrow's game against Manchester City, who demolished Aston Villa, has all the ingredients of an enervating tussle.
Verdict: FULHAM TO SHADE THIS ONE

Tottenham v Southampton
3pm Saturday, White Hart Lane
Tickets: £25-£37 (£13-£15 concs). Tel: 0870 420 5000
Last season: 2 (Ferdinand, Sheringham) 1 (Taricco og).
Referee: Andy D'Urso (Essex)
Facts: In this fixture last season, Teddy Sheringham's penalty put Spurs top of the Premiership. If they fail to win tomorrow, Glenn Hoddle's team could be in the bottom three. Southampton have kept four clean sheets in a row
Standout bet: Away win for Southampton: 12-5 (Bet365)
Tottenham didn't play all that badly at Chelsea last weekend but they did concede some sloppy goals, which will be of chief concern to Glenn Hoddle. Depending on what you read and who you listen to, Hoddle has one week, two weeks, a month or until Christmas to put things right. Gordon Strachan, meanwhile, is a canny campaigner who will no doubt be reminding his Southampton players that things are not at all well at White Hart Lane and in James Beattie, Strachan has a striker bang in form.
Verdict: SPURS TO COME UP TRUMPS (POSSIBLY)

Wolves v Chelsea
12.30pm Saturday, Molineux - live on Sky Sports 2
Away ticket info: Sold out
Referee: Matt Messias (Yorkshire)
Facts: Tommy Langley scored the only goal in Chelsea's last win at Molineux in August 1978. Midfielder Claude Makelele never scored a home goal at the Bernabeu and was on the mark just twice in 106 appearances for Real Madrid
Standout bet: Chelsea to win to nil: 11-8 (Bet365)
I don't know if a manager can have too many players from which to choose but right now Claudio Ranieri must be coming close. Claudio likened Chelsea to a second-tier Formula One motor racing team the other day, with the difference that he has about 21 drivers all wanting to clamber into the cockpit. The Chelsea coach will be pondering his latest line-up for tomorrow's match but I wouldn't spend too much time on it. Claudio, just write down the first 11 names you think of and they should be too good for Wolves.
Verdict: IT'S A BLUES DAY

Nationwide Division 1

Crystal Palace v WBA
3pm Saturday, Selhurst Park
Tickets: £19-£25 (£5-£15 concs). Tel: 08712 0000 71
Referee: Paul Danson (Leicestershire)
Facts: Palace have failed to beat West Brom in any of the past 10 meetings between the two clubs. Albion have been involved in four 1-0 and three 4-1 scorelines in their eight games this season
Standout bet: West Brom to win 4-1: 66-1 (Bet365)
After a promising start, Palace are mid-table and without a win in four. Steve Kember's side have tried to follow West Brom's formula for getting out of Division One - kicking opponents and keeping clean sheets - but, so far, have only got it half right. Wimbledon may be leaving Selhurst Park but Palace are going nowhere.
Verdict: EAGLES' WINGS CLIPPED

Gillingham v West Ham
3pm Saturday, Priestfield Stadium
Away ticket info: Sold out
Referee: Paul Armstrong (Berkshire)
Facts: West Ham will attempt to win their fifth game in a row for the first time since 1999, when the run included an Intertoto Cup win over Metz and a UEFA Cup victory against Osijek. Marlon King has scored in his last two home fixtures
Standout bet: Niclas Alexandersson to score the first goal: 20-1 (Bet365)
Alan Pardew can spend the next month tending his cabbages before the greying gardener takes over from the careworn caretaker, but if West Ham continue their current progress under Trevor Brooking he may almost not be needed. Andy Hessenthaler was also linked with the West Ham job but it was thought to be too big for him - he's only 5ft 2in. Given the club's previous experience with former Gills managers, that may be no bad thing.
Verdict: BROOKING MARCHES ON