Weekend Football Focus

Ken Dyer|Matt Hughes|Paul Fielder|Evening Standard

14 April 2012

Everton v Blackburn
3pm Saturday, Goodison Park
Last season: 2 (Carsley, Rooney) 1 (Cole)
Referee: Philip Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent)
Facts: Everton are unbeaten in four at home and have yet to lose any of the seven Premiership games in which they have led at half-time
Standout bet: Everton to win 2-1: 8-1 (Bet Direct, Tote)
Both sides have struggled this season after challenging for a European place last time around but have just about crawled to safety. Blackburn have greater need for the points but Everton should prevail at home, particularly as Wayne Rooney has returned to form after his flirtation with a new career as a party organiser.
Verdict: EVERTON CELEBRATE

Fulham v Charlton
3pm Saturday, Loftus Road
Tickets: Home: £26-£33 (£12-£26 concs). Tel: 0870 442 1234.
Away: £28 (£13-£21 concs). Tel: 020 8333 4010
Last season: 1 (Sava) 0.
Referee: Matt Messias (York)
Facts: Charlton, who haven't scored in their past three games at Fulham, last won an away match against the Cottagers in 1986. Steed Malbranque has gone seven games without a goal
Standout bet: No goalscorer: 9-1 (Tote)
If you had offered the current Premiership positions to both these clubs at the start of the season, they would have snapped your hands off. Fulham's Chris Coleman would have been picking up his dole money if the predictions were to be believed while Alan Curbishley's first priority, as usual, was to pass that 40-point safety mark and then enjoy himself. It's a credit to both managers that their teams are up there in the sunny half of the table, whatever the result.
Verdict: CHARLTON EDGE IT

Leicester v Manchester City
3pm Saturday, Walkers Stadium
Referee: Andy D'Urso (Billericay)
Facts: Leicester's Jamie Scowcroft has found the net just three times in 36 appearances this season. After four goals in four games, Robbie Fowler has now gone six without scoring
Standout bet: Draw (half-time), draw (full-time): 9-2 (Bet365, Bet Direct, Stan James, Tote)
There is a Blue Moon and some particularly dark clouds over one half of Manchester as the realisation dawns that the debt-ridden club could soon be relegated. If only they could play Spurs every week. After just one win in 23 Premiership games, Kevin Keegan's side deserve to be where they are. Leicester have no shortage of character and can give themselves hope of survival.
Verdict: KEEGAN FEELING BLUE

Manchester United v Liverpool
3pm Saturday, Old Trafford
Last season: 4 (Van Nistelrooy 2, Giggs, Solskjaer) 0.
Referee: Graham Poll (Tring)
Facts: Liverpool have won four and lost eight of their 15 games against teams from the top half of the table. United have gone seven home games without defeat
Standout bet: Man Utd minus one on handicap: 9-4 (Stan James)
It's been a difficult year for Gary Neville. With his beloved Becks far away in Madrid and his text messages going unanswered, the United stalwart has been forced to reinvent himself as a goalscorer, netting twice in three games as United have increased the pressure on Chelsea. Sir Alex Ferguson's side have hit form at the right time and should add to Liverpool's woes.
Verdict: NEV SINKS SCOUSERS

Middlesbrough v Aston Villa
3pm Saturday, Riverside Stadium
Last season: 2 (Maccarone, Greening) 5 (Vassell 2, Gudjonsson, Barry, Dublin)
Referee: Graham Barber (Tring)
Facts: Villa have gone five games without defeat and have lost one of their past five at Boro
Standout bet: Draw (half-time), Boro (full-time): 9-2 (Bet365, Bet Direct, Stan James, Hills)
David O'Leary for Chelsea? Perhaps not, but he has certainly become the darling of at least part of the Midlands after Aston Villa's excellent season. Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren got a mention for the Chelsea job, but then not many haven't. I once went six games unbeaten as a manager in the Brentwood Sunday League and am waiting for Peter Kenyon's call.
Verdict: SCORE DRAW

Southampton v Bolton
3pm Saturday, St Mary's
Last season: 0-0.
Referee: Alan Wiley (Burntwood)
Facts: Southampton have failed to score in their past three home matches against Bolton. Kevin Phillips has found the net 13 times this season, but he has only been the first goalscorer in one match. Bolton haven't had a player sent off in the Premiership this season
Standout bet: James Beattie to score the first goal: 5-1 (Bet365)
For these two teams, it's Premiership football again next season and that's all that really counts. Bolton flirted around the edges of the relegation dogfight in recent weeks but have now climbed clear, while Southampton, first under Gordon Strachan and now Paul Sturrock, have enjoyed a steady season. Sturrock and his Bolton counterpart Sam Allardyce will already be thinking about next season's campaign and what they have to do to survive again.
Verdict: SAINTS ON TOP

Birmingham v Wolves
Noon Sunday, St Andrew's
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
Facts: Clinton Morrison is still waiting for his first home league goal this season. Wolves have gone 19 away games without a win
Standout bet: Birmingham minus one on handicap: 15-8 (Stan James)
Wolves may be all but dead but they won't lie down. The win over Middlesbrough last weekend has given their fans a glimmer of hope, although Dave Jones's men may have to win all their last four remaining games to survive. A tall order, indeed, especially as Sunday's match is at big rivals Birmingham, who are chasing a place in Europe for next season. Defeat for Wolves would effectively seal their fate.
Verdict: WOLVES MISERY

Leeds v Portsmouth
11.30am Sunday, Elland Road - live on pay-per-view
Referee: Uriah Rennie (Sheffield)
Facts: Alan Smith hasn't been booked in his past 13 games for Leeds. Aiyegbeni has found the net four times in five matches for Portsmouth
Standout bet: No goalscorer: 9-1 (Bet Direct, Ladbrokes, Tote)
Harry Redknapp has worked wonders in lifting his side clear of the bottom three but Pompey's season underlines how difficult it is for clubs to survive after winning promotion. Harry's team won the First Division by a country mile last season yet have struggled to stay in it this winter, which can't be good for English football in general. This match is a massive one for both sides and if Leeds can win it, they could well go on to avoid the drop themselves.
Verdict: LIFE IN LEEDS YET

Newcastle v Chelsea
2pm Sunday, St James' Park - live on Sky Sports 1
Away ticket info: Sold out
Last season: 2 (Hasselbaink og, Bernard) 1 (Lampard)
Referee: Rob Styles (Portsmouth)
Facts: Juan Veron's last start for Chelsea came in their 5-0 demolition of Newcastle at Stamford Bridge in November
Standout bet: Home win for Newcastle: 7-4 (Ladbrokes)
Chelsea's players have reportedly been sending fruity texts that would bring a blush to the so-far shameless cheeks of Rebecca Loos but the message from the top is clear - stop whining and win some matches. Chelsea's displays since that heady night at Highbury have been abject, with the three goals scored and six conceded telling their own story. Claudio Ranieri's team cannot afford to sulk, though, and must beat Newcastle to stay clear of Manchester United.
Verdict: CHELSEA LIFT THE BLUES

Tottenham v Arsenal
4.05pm Sunday, White Hart Lane - live on Sky Sports 1
Tickets: Sold out
Last season: 1 (Ziege) 1 (Pires).
Referee: Mark Halsey (Bolton)
Facts: Arsenal have won all three games when Mark Halsey has refereed them this season, including a 2-1 victory over Spurs
Standout bet: Arsenal to win by two goals or more: 13-8 (Bet365)
Time was when there wasn't much to choose between these rivals, but not any more. These days, 40 points separate Arsenal and Spurs and there's no sign of the gulf narrowing. The decision to wait until the close season before appointing a manager at White Hart Lane was a gamble. Let's hope they get their man because the club's fans are fed up. For Arsenal, there are only superlatives. They are a champion team with a champion manager.
Verdict: SHEER CLASS, ARSENAL

Nationwide League

Crewe v Crystal Palace
3pm Saturday, Gresty Road
Away ticket info: £16.50 (£4.50-£13.50 concs). Tel: 08712 0000 71
Referee: Keith Hill (Hertfordshire)
Facts: Palace are unbeaten in five games and have lost just four league matches since Iain Dowie took over on 22 December
Standout bet: Palace victory: 11-8 (Coral, Ladbrokes, Stanley, Tote)
Simon Jordan clearly subscribes to the law of averages and at last he's been proved right - if you try eight managers in four years then one of them is going to turn out to be half decent. Iain Dowie is more than that and has worked minor miracles. Now on the brink of the play-offs, Palace should have too much for Crewe.
Verdict: PALACE MARCH ON

Millwall v Reading
3pm Saturday, The Den
Tickets: £18-£25 (£8-£15 concs). Tel: 020 7231 9999
Last season: 0-2 (Forster, Henderson)
Referee: Andy Hall (Birmingham)
Facts: Reading's Dave Kitson has scored 16 goals this season and four in four games. Millwall have gone five matches since a win
Standout bet: Millwall home win: Evens (BlueSq, Skybet, S James)
Theo Paphitis says he would gladly swap the FA Cup Final and UEFA Cup spot for the Premiership, but his players obviously feel differently. Whether they're distracted by the prospect of choosing their new suits or are too busy learning the words to the Cup final song is unclear, but the Lions have failed to roar since beating Sunderland in the semi-final. Reading are also in the play-off hunt so it will not be easy for the Lions.
Verdict: MILLWALL GET READING LESSON

Stoke v West Ham
3pm Saturday, Britannia Stadium
Away ticket info: All ticket. £17 (£9-£10 concs). Tel: 0870 112 2700
Referee: Neale Barry (Scunthorpe)
Facts: West Ham had put together a run of 12 away league games without defeat, but have now gone six since an away league win
Standout bet: West Ham to win 1-0: 7-1 (Bet365, Hills, Paddy Power, Stan James)
West Ham fan Gary Teeley has just returned home after being kidnapped in Iraq and was at the match with Coventry last week when the Hammers finally returned to winning ways. The team are still on course for the play-offs and will want to book their place before a difficult trip to Wigan on the last day of the season.
Verdict: HAMMERS HANG IN THERE

Watford v Norwich
3pm Saturday, Vicarage Road
Tickets: All ticket. £20-£25 (£5-£10 concs). Tel: 01923 496 010
Last season: 2 (Nielsen, Helguson) 1 (Cox og)
Referee: Mick Fletcher (Worcestershire)
Facts: Promoted Norwich haven't won at Vicarage Road since 1995. Watford have gone five games without defeat
Standout bet: Home win for Watford: 11-5 (Stan James)
Watford is not the ideal place for a party, but that will not deter Norwich fans from travelling in numbers tomorrow. The promoted Canaries will not relax until they have secured the championship. Watford have nothing to play for and will not stand in their way.
Verdict: NORWICH SCENT THE TITLE

Brentford v Wycombe
3pm Saturday, Griffin Park
Tickets: £14-£18 (£3-£13 concs). Tel: 0870 900 9229
Last season: 1 (Hunt) 0.
Referee: Phil Joslin (Nottinghamshire)
Facts: Relegated Wycombe have never won at Griffin Park. Jay Tabb has scored four times in six matches
Standout bet: Brentford (h-t), Brentford (f-t): 5-4 (Stan James)
Martin Allen has scrapped food at Brentford's training ground but must be putting something into the players' tea. They're unbeaten in six games since Allen took over and can move closer to safety with victory tomorrow.
Verdict: HUNGRY BEES EDGE TO SAFETY

Plymouth v QPR
3pm Saturday, Home Park
Away ticket info: Sold out
Last season: 0-1 (Pacquette).
Referee: Steve Dunn (Bristol)
Facts: Rangers, who haven't lost at Home Park since 1958, have gone four away games without a win. Plymouth have won only one of their past six matches
Standout bet: Game to finish level: 12-5 (Coral)
The Second Division championship may not be the most illustrious trophy in football but that hardly explains the top teams' reluctance to claim the prize. Plymouth, Rangers and Bristol City are limping to the line with all the conviction of geriatrics in a three-legged race, but something must give tomorrow. Plymouth can claim the title with a victory, leaving Rangers to sweat it out on the second automatic promotion spot.
Verdict: BLOW FOR RANGERS

Leyton Orient v Boston
3pm Saturday, Brisbane Road
Tickets: £12-£16 (£7-£10 concs). Tel: 020 8926 1010
Last season: 3 (Purser 3) 2 (Logan, Redfearn)
Referee: Frazer Stretton (Nottingham)
Facts: Defender Stuart Balmer, who played more than 200 games for Charlton, has scored twice in his last four Boston appearances
Standout bet: Score draw: 4-1 (Bet365)
Martin Ling slammed his players as frauds following last week's 3-0 defeat to lowly Rochdale, but such shocking performances have been worryingly real. Orient haven't won for 12 games and can't wait for the season to end.
Verdict: ORIENT RUNNING ON EMPTY

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