Weekend Football Focus

Ken Dyer|Matt Hughes|Paul Fielder|Evening Standard

14 April 2012

Arsenal v Middlesbrough
3pm Saturday, Highbury
Tickets: Sold out
Last season: 2 (Campbell, Pires) 0.
Referee: Andy D'Urso (Essex)
Facts: Boro are unbeaten in seven away games. Arsenal have won three and drawn two of the five games in which they have conceded the first goal this season.
Standout bet: Arsenal to win by one goal: 3-1 (Paddy Power)
Tomorrow's match at Highbury signals the start of four matches in three weeks between the two clubs and when they reach the end of this saga, they'll want to see each other about as much as Britney Spears and her ex-husband. The midweek draw at Everton was Arsenal's seventh in the Premiership so far but they have still yet to lose in the league.
Verdict: ONE OUT OF FOUR FOR ARSENE

Birmingham v Southampton
3pm Saturday, St Andrew's
Last season: 3 (Dugarry 2, Hughes) 2 (A Svensson, Ormerod).
Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent)
Facts: Southampton have gone four games without a win. Robbie Savage, David Dunn, Clinton Morrison and Stephen Clemence are Birmingham's second-highest top scorers with two each, behind nine-goal Mikael Forssell
Standout bet: Draw (half-time); draw (full-time): 9-2 (Tote)
A few clubs have had their turn up near the summit of the Premiership and it wasn't that long ago that Birmingham were up there in the rarefied atmosphere. Steve Bruce's side have found their level in recent times, however, and a rash of injuries hasn't helped matters.
Verdict: NO GOAL FEST IN THIS DRAW

Blackburn v Bolton
3pm Saturday, Ewood Park
Last season: 0-0.
Referee: Steve Dunn (Bristol)
Facts: There have been five draws in a row between these sides and Bolton last won at Ewood Park in 1982
Standout bet: Andy Cole to score the first goal: 11-2 (Paddy Power)
Two of the game's great characters, Graeme Souness and Sam Allardyce, come face to face at Ewood Park. While big Sam seems to have mellowed over the years, Souness still often appears as irascible as ever, which is perhaps not surprising considering his team remain too near the bottom of the table for complete comfort.
Verdict: EVEN STEVEN

Charlton v Wolves
3pm Saturday, The Valley
Tickets: £20-£25 (£15 concs). Tel: 020 8333 4010.
Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire)
Facts: Charlton have won four in a row against Wolves. Alex Rae's eight goals for Wolves is his best return since he scored 13 for Millwall in 1995-96
Standout bet: Four goals or more in the match: 15-8 (Blue Square)
Charlton's FA Cup interest has again ended in early January, this time at Gillingham, but if Alan Curbishley wants cheering up the Charlton manager need only look at the Premiership table. His side are doing themselves proud in fourth and should consolidate that spot against Wolves tomorrow.
Verdict: CUP WOES ALL FORGOTTEN

Fulham v Everton
3pm Saturday, Loftus Road
Tickets: £26-£33 (£12-£26 concs). Tel. 0870 442 1234
Last season: 2 (Stubbs og, Wright og) 0.
Referee: Graham Poll (Hertfordshire)
Facts: Everton's 2-1 victory at Fulham in 1966 was the last time the home team in league fixtures between these sides failed to win. Fulham have lost four of their last five league games
Standout bet: Everton to win 2-1: 12-1 (Coral, Ladbrokes, Stan James, Tote)
It's all very well to tell Louis Saha that he's staying at Fulham for the rest of the season but you run the risk of having one sulking Frenchman around the place. Saha knows Manchester United want him now and that if he doesn't go he may not get another chance. Fulham, for their part, need his goals and feel they could get a better price in the summer. A tricky one all round.
Verdict: FULHAM SHADE THIS ONE

Manchester Utd v Newcastle Utd
4.05pm Sunday, Old Trafford - live on Sky Sports 1
Last season: 5 (Scholes, Van Nistelrooy 3, Solskjaer) 3 (Bernard, Shearer, Bellamy)
Referee: Paul Durkin (Dorset)
Facts: Newcastle have conceded 15 goals on their last four visits to Old Trafford. Manchester United haven't lost a home game against Newcastle since 1972
Standout bet: Four goals or more: 13-8 (Tote)
Manchester United may be despised as arrogant bullies but it is that strain of utter self-belief, injected daily by Sir Alex Ferguson's players, that makes them what they are - the best in the business. The champions, inspired by fit-again Paul Scholes, have ominously recorded eight straight wins and should make it nine in a row against an inconsistent Newcastle. United may be in a transitional phase with a lightweight squad, but they still know how to win.
Verdict: UNITED JUST TOO GOOD

Leeds v Tottenham
3pm Saturday, Elland Road
Away ticket info: Sold out
Last season: 2 (Viduka 2) 2 (Sheringham, Keane)
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
Facts: Tottenham have one away league win this season and haven't won at Elland Road since 1996. Stephane Dalmat's brace against Birmingham was the first time he had scored two goals in a game
Stand out bet: Home win for Leeds: 13-8 (William Hill)
The problems are not over for Tottenham but it's amazing what a couple of wins can do. Wednesday's comfortable victory over Birmingham lifted David Pleat's team out of the twilight zone while Robbie Keane, who has been firing more blanks than the Territorials, scored his first goal in eight. Tomorrow's match at Elland Road, however, remains pivotal.
Verdict: SPURS WORTH A POINT

Leicester v Chelsea
2pm Sunday, Walkers Stadium - live Sky pay-per-view game
Away ticket info: Sold out
Referee: Uriah Rennie (Sheffield)
Facts: Leicester have gone seven games without a win but have drawn half of their home league games and also their last four matches. Adrian Mutu never went more than four games without a goal for previous clubs Verona and Parma but has gone 14 since scoring for Chelsea
Standout bet: Leicester (half-time); Leicester (full-time): 11-1 (Bet365)
The way they played, there was more chance of finding Beagle 2 than Chelsea beating Liverpool in midweek but talk of Claudio Ranieri's demise is harsh. It seems to be the time of year that the Blues hit the wall and it's difficult to know why, but Roman Abramovich is unlikely to sit on his roubles should a few new players be needed. Sunday's match at Leicester won't be easy but Chelsea will want to get back on track.
Verdict: CLAUDIO CHEERS UP

Liverpool v Aston Villa
3pm Saturday, Anfield
Last season: 1 (Owen) 1 (Dublin).
Ref: Graham Barber (Hertfordshire)
Facts: Villa have gone five Premiership games without defeat and have kept clean sheets in their last two away games. Liverpool are unbeaten in their last five against Villa, who last won at Anfield in September 2001
Standout bet: Under two goals: 5-2 (Blue Square)
Before Wednesday's win over Chelsea, many Liverpool fans suspected that Bruno Cheyrou had been signed simply to keep an eye on Gerard Houllier's wine cellar, but now he is the Kop's new hero. If the Frenchman carries on in a similar vein, then St Bruno could soon be known for more than his tobacco. Houllier is hoping they have turned the corner and with Michael Owen due to return, the Reds can continue their recovery against Villa. David O'Leary's side are also improving but a run of two straight league wins should end tomorrow.
Verdict: ST BRUNO SLAYS VILLAINS

Portsmouth v Man City
3pm Saturday, Fratton Park
Referee: Matt Messias (York)
Facts: Portsmouth, who beat City 2-1 when the teams last met at Fratton Park in November 2001, have scored just four goals in their last eight Premiership games. City have thrown away leads in their last three league games and have now gone 13 matches without a win
Standout bet: Nicolas Anelka to score first goal: 5-1 (Bet365, Ladbrokes)
The relegation bell is tolling for Pompey, while Manchester City have also been given an alarming wake-up call lately. After a promising start to their first Premiership campaign, Portsmouth have won just once in their last eight games and are cursing the fact that they can't play Spurs every week. City's recent form is even worse so a draw is on the cards.
Verdict: CITY'S BARREN RUN CONTINUES

Nationwide League

Coventry v Watford
3pm Saturday, Highfield Road
Away ticket info: £18 (£6-£9 concs). Tel: 01923 496 010
Last season: 0-1 (Hyde).
Referee: Mike Pike (Cumbria)
Facts: Watford have won two in a row at Coventry but have gone three away games since a victory. After 10 goals on loan at Luton, Gary McSheffrey scored on his first appearance back at Coventry
Standout bet: Coventry to win 2-1: 15-2 (Blue Square)
Watford may have humbled big-spending Chelsea in the FA Cup and in doing so helped Marcel Desailly realise that his future lies in impersonating Grace Jones rather than the shadow of a once-great footballer, but such exploits will not guarantee their survival in the First Division. The Hornets' league form is ropey but Coventry are also struggling and an away win would take Ray Lewington's men level with the Sky Blues. Just what's needed before that money-spinning replay at Chelsea.
Verdict: WATFORD GET CUP BOOST

Crystal Palace v Burnley
3pm Saturday, Selhurst Park
Tickets: £19-£25 (£10-£15 concs). Tel: 08712 0000 71
Last season: 1 (Popovic) 1 (Taylor)
Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)
Facts: Palace have not recorded a home victory over Burnley since 1983 while striker Neil Shipperley has gone 15 games without a goal and has only two in 27 appearances this season
Standout bet: Four goals or more: 11-5 (Blue Square)
The Moscow State Circus will entertain fans at half-time tomorrow, which seems appropriate given the farcical nature of events at Selhurst Park in recent seasons. But before you rush down to Croydon, Simon Jordan will not be dressed as a clown while Stevie Kember throws knives at his revolving body. Super brainy new manager Iain Dowie is adamant that such antics are a thing of the past and his gospel of hard work has already delivered improved performances. Burnley are sliding towards relegation so Dowie should celebrate his first home win.
Verdict: DOWIE'S NO CLOWN

West Ham v Preston
3pm Saturday, Upton Park
Tickets: £22-£32 (£5-£15 concs). Tel: 0870 112 2700
Referee: Mark Warren (W Midlands)
Facts: Preston haven't won at Upton Park since 1949 and were beaten 5-0 on their last league visit in 1981. West Ham's best sequence of results this season is four straight wins
Standout bet: West Ham (h-t); West Ham (f-t): 15-8 (Blue Square)
Alan Pardew's honeymoon period at Upton Park lasted only slightly longer than Britney's marital bliss in Las Vegas, but two straight wins have gone some way to converting the sceptics. Pardew must now turn his attention to improving the Hammers' inconsistent home form but will find it difficult to break down a Preston side unbeaten in seven games. West Ham must win if they harbour genuine hopes of promotion.
Verdict: HOME SWEET HOME FOR HAMMERS

Wigan v Millwall
3pm Saturday, JJB Stadium
Away ticket info: £16 (£11 concs) available to members and season ticket holders only. Tel: 020 7231 9999
Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne & Wear)
Facts: Millwall last won away against Wigan in 1998, while Bob Peeters has gone 16 games since scoring
Standout bet: Millwall to win 1-0: 9-1 (Bet Direct)
Dave Whelan may have made a fortune from selling trainers and tracksuits, but selling his home town to ambitious footballers is proving rather more difficult. The Latics' promotion charge is suffering as a result and Millwall can record their fourth win in five games.
Verdict: MILLWALL MARCH ON

Blackpool v QPR
3pm Saturday, Bloomfield Road
Away ticket info: £14 (£7 concs). All ticket match: no tickets will be available to QPR fans on the day. Tel: 0870 112 1967
Last season: 1 (Taylor) 3 (Langley 3)
Referee: Tony Bates (Staffordshire)
Facts: Blackpool have won two of their 12 home games against top of the table teams. QPR have kept 13 league clean sheets
Standout bet: Away win for Rangers: 11-8 (William Hill)
Queens Park Rangers kicked off their campaign with a 5-0 win at home to Blackpool and there's no reason why they can't repeat the rout tomorrow.
Verdict: AWAY BANKER

Brentford v Tranmere
3pm Saturday, Griffin Park
Tickets: £14-£18 (£3-£13 concs). Tel: 0870 900 9229
Last season: 1 (Sonko) 2 (Hume, Sharps)
Referee: Lee Cable (Surrey)
Facts: Brentford have gone eight games without a win. Tranmere have lost just one of their last six matches at Griffin Park
Standout bet: Eugene Dadi to score the first goal: 8-1 (Bet365)
Brentford are organising a cycle ride to Brighton to raise money for the Supporters' Trust, and if results don't improve Wally Downes could be leading the way on his own bike. The Bees are without a win in eight games and need points to avoid the relegation battle.
Verdict: WALLY'S WOBBLIN'

Doncaster v L Orient
3pm Saturday, Belle Vue
Away ticket info: £10-£13 (£5-£7 concs). Pay at turnstiles
Referee: Mark Cowburn (Lancashire)
Facts: Doncaster are unbeaten in eight home games and Leyton Orient won their last game at Belle Vue 4-1 in 1997
Standout bet: Michael McIndoe to score first goal: 11-1 (Bet365)
Leyton Orient are on the up after moving into the top half of the table for the first time this season, but a win at Belle Vue is too much to hope for. Third-placed Rovers will be determined to bounce back after defeat at resurgent Huddersfield.
Verdict: NO JOY FOR ORIENT

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