Weekend football focus

Ken Dyer|Matt Hughes|Paul Fielder|Evening Standard

14 April 2012

Birmingham v Everton
5.15pm tomorrow, St Andrew's - live on Prem Plus
Last season: 3 (D Johnson, Lazaridis, Forssell) 0
Referee: TBA
Facts: Birmingham have played 303 minutes of football without scoring at St Andrew's. Everton last won away against Birmingham in 1986
Bet: 0-0 draw - 17-2 (Bet365, Paddy Power, VC Bet)
You can guarantee that someone will be singing the Blues when these two sides meet and on the face of it you have to fancy Everton to come away with their full quota from this one. Birmingham did score their first goal for 379 minutes when Darren Anderton found the net for the winner against an injury-ravaged Liverpool, but the club from the other end of Stanley Park may be a tougher proposition.
Verdict: MAGIC FOR MOYES

Bolton v Aston Villa
3pm tomorrow, Reebok Stadium
Last season: 2 (Pedersen, Davies) 2 (Crouch, Hendrie).
Referee: Andy D'Urso (Billericay)
Facts: Savo Milosevic scored the only goal of the game when Villa last won at Bolton in 1997. Bolton have failed to score in only one of their 14 matches this season
Bet: Henrik Pedersen to score the first goal - 7-1 (Bet365)
Both these clubs are justifiably feeling feisty at the moment and tomorrow's match at the Reebok promises to be a close affair. Bolton looked to be heading for victory at Middlesbrough last weekend before their excellent keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen was sent off but, as is the case with Sam Allardyce's side in recent times, they held on for a draw, courtesy of Henrik Pedersen's sixth Premiership goal of the season. Villa, meanwhile, gave short shrift to Portsmouth but are still looking for their first away victory.
Verdict: ALL SQUARE

Charlton v Norwich
3pm tomorrow, The Valley
Tickets: £25 (£15-£20 concs). Tel: 020 8333 4010
Referee: Andre Marriner (Birmingham)
Facts: These sides last met at The Valley in 1999, when Richard Rufus scored in Charlton's 1-0 Division One victory. Norwich have drawn all five games against other teams from the bottom half of the table
Bet: Charlton (h-t); Draw (f-t) - 16-1 (Bet365, Stanley)
Alan Curbishley's name came up yet again when the Spurs fiasco was at its messiest but, for the umpteenth time, nothing came of it. There will be a day when Curbishley will eventually leave The Valley, but until then, it seems to be all smoke and mirrors. Charlton, however, earned a welcome three points at the expense of the aforesaid north London crisis club and must now string together another couple of positive results.
Verdict: TWO ON TROT FOR CHARLTON

Fulham v Chelsea
3pm tomorrow, Craven Cottage
Tickets: Sold out. Beamback in bars at Stamford Bridge: £10 (£5 concs).
Last season: 0-1 (Crespo)
Referee: Uriah Rennie (Sheffield)
Facts: Other than two defeats to Arsenal in February, Chelsea have not lost a London derby since their 4-2 defeat at Charlton on Boxing Day last year. Despite his 19 fouls, Luis Boa Morte has yet to receive a card this season
Bet: Chelsea to win to nil - 5-6 (Paddy Power)
Chelsea's midweek cup tie at Newcastle was a tight affair for the most part but, with players of the calibre of Frank Lampard, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Arjen Robben on the bench, you always had to fancy Jose Mourinho's side to come up trumps in the end. Tomorrow they have what should be an entertaining derby against a Fulham side who themselves had to go to extra time before emerging victorious at Nottingham Forest.
Verdict: CHELSEA ROLL ON

Liverpool v Crystal Palace
3pm tomorrow, Anfield
Away ticket info: Sold out
Referee: Phil Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent)
Facts: Neil Mellor, who found the net twice for Liverpool in the Carling Cup on Wednesday, scored just two goals for West Ham during his 21-match loan spell last season. Both goals came against Palace in a 3-0 win at Upton Park
Bet: Liverpool to win 1-0 - 13-2 (Stanley, VC Bet)
Palace may have ended their interest in this season's Carling Cup competition at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, but manager Iain Dowie will not lose a moment's sleep over that. Dowie showed the squad a video of Muhammad Ali's 'Rumble in the Jungle' leading up the Arsenal match - and it worked a treat. As you read this, he's probably on his way to Blockbuster again.
Verdict: ANOTHER TOP POINT FOR PALACE

Man City v Blackburn
3pm tomorrow, City of Manchester Stadium
Last season: 1 (Anelka) 1 (Flitcroft).
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Northumberland)
Facts: Blackburn have drawn their past three away league games against Manchester City. Nicolas Anelka has been caught offside more times than any other player in the Premiership
Bet: Home win - 10-11 (Bet Direct, Stanley, Stan James)
Manchester City earned themselves a decent point from the Manchester derby last weekend, but need a few more before the excitable Kevin Keegan can relax a little. City do seem to have uncovered a little Irish gem, however, in young Willo Flood. He may look like the last leprechaun but the impish midfielder certainly seems to have a decent future if he carries on improving at his present rate. Blackburn meanwhile, look like they need more than a shovel to dig themselves out of their peat bog. The spark has been missing since new manager Mark Hughes arrived in September. Rovers have won only once - in the week he was installed - since Hughes arrived.
Verdict: CITY ON TOP

Newcastle v Man United
4.05pm Sunday, St James' Park - live on Sky Sports 1
Last season: 1 (Shearer) 2 (Van Nistelrooy, Scholes).
Referee: TBA
Facts: Ruud van Nistelrooy, who returns from suspension on Sunday, has scored on his past three visits to St James' Park. Newcastle striker Patrick Kluivert has gone six games without a goal
Bet: Four goals or more - 9-4 (Blue Square)
Graeme Souness was a model of restraint during the midweek cup-tie against Chelsea, but he lost it yet again a few days earlier when his team lost heavily to Fulham. It was a bit of a novelty at first to see the Newcastle manager firing off his verbal volleys, but now a little anger management is needed. Perhaps the FA could ban him from the touchline permanently and just let him down there as a treat, now and again.
Verdict: SOUNESS IN A MOOD - AGAIN

So'ton v Portsmouth
Noon tomorrow, St Mary's
Last season: 3 (Schemmel og, Pahars, Beattie) 0
Referee: TBA
Facts: Portsmouth have not scored in their past three away matches against Southampton. Midfielder Amdy Faye has not scored in 40 appearances for Harry Redknapp's team.
Bet: Away win for Portsmouth - 2-1 (Bet Direct)
Steve Wigley had to face the music after his side's dreadful display at Watford in midweek but it would have been more appropriate had half-a-dozen of his players attended the post-match press conference to explain their abject performance. Defeat against the old enemy tomorrow could be fatal for Wigley but at least he may be able to welcome back James Beattie. Over at Fratton Park, despite a reasonable start, the clouds seem to be gathering and the relationship between Harry Redknapp and chairman Milan Mandaric looks a trifle strained.
Verdict: WIGLEY WOE

Tottenham v Arsenal
Noon tomorrow, White Hart Lane - live on Sky Sports 2
Tickets: Sold out
Last season: 2 (Redknapp, Keane) 2 (Vieira, Pires)
Referee: Steve Bennett (Orpington)
Facts: The past four league meetings between these rivals at White Hart Lane have finished in score draws. Michael Carrick has found the net just once since scoring for West Ham against Spurs in March 2003
Bet: Spurs win - 9-2 (Bet365, Bet Direct, Premierbet)
Neither of these two clubs are in mint condition as they approach this derby, but form tends to go out the window when this pair lock horns. Spurs, who seem to have shot themselves in the foot so often it's a wonder they have any toes left, will be hoping for some stability under Martin Jol, while Arsene Wenger has seen Chelsea edge ahead in the table so also needs a result.
Verdict: ARSENAL TAKE THE HONOURS

WBA v Middlesbrough
2pm Sunday, The Hawthorns - live on Sky Sports 1
Referee: TBA
Facts: Boro striker Mark Viduka has gone eight games without a goal. Jamie Pollock was among the scorers when Middlesbrough last won at The Hawthorns in April 1995
Bet: Boro to score a penalty - 13-2 (totesport)
Bryan Robson was a legend as a player and there will be many who will see his arrival as manager as the return of the prodigal son. Others will regard Robson's appearance at The Hawthorns with apprehension after his torrid time at Bradford. But the former England midfield star did have a measure of success at Middlesbrough, who provide his first opponents.
Verdict: INAUSPICIOUS START FOR ROBSON

Coca-Cola League

Preston v Millwall
3pm tomorrow, Deepdale
Away ticket info: £17 (£6-£11 concs). Millwall fans must go to selling point at the away end with a Lions team card or season ticket
Last season: 1 (Davis) 2 (Ifill, Cahill).
Referee: Brian Curson (Leicestershire)
Fact: Millwall have not scored a first-half away goal in the Championship this season
Standout bet: Away win for Millwall - 2-1 (Premierbet)
With its high stands and large numbers of empty seats, Deepdale is not the most intimidating of grounds, but Scott Dobie will feel like a Christian in the Coliseum when he makes his Millwall debut tomorrow. The Scotland striker turned down a move to Preston before joining Millwall and the locals are sure to let him know what they think of his decision.
Verdict: DOUBLE FOR DOBIE

Queens Park Rangers v Wigan
3pm tomorrow, Loftus Road
Tickets: £19-£26 (£11-£14 concs). Tel: 0870 112 1967
Referee: Andy D'Urso (Essex).
Fact: Leighton Baines, Wigan's England Under-21 leftback, has a column in the Manchester Evening News
Standout bet: Draw - 9-4 (Coral, Ladbrokes, totesport)
It's a hard life being a football fan in Wigan and not just because the staple diet of pie and peas makes it difficult to find anything other than a figure-hugging replica shirt. Rugby league dominates in the town, so even the table-topping football club can attract only a few thousand fans. How Athletic could do with the raucous backing enjoyed by QPR.
Verdict: WIGAN DOWN ON THEIR LUCK

Sheffield United v Watford
3pm tomorrow, Bramall Lane
Away ticket info: £10 (£5 concs). Tel: 0870 111 1881
Last season: 2 (P Jagielka, Lester) 2 (Smith, Helguson).
Ref: Paul Robinson (E Yorkshire)
Facts: Watford have gone five games without defeat at Bramall Lane
Standout bet: Away win for Watford - 3-1 (Bet365, Stan James)
As the self-confessed most-hated manager in football Neil Warnock has made a good living by getting up people's noses, but unfortunately his unpopularity has spread to his own supporters. The Blades have made an indifferent start to this season and the fans are getting restless. Having drawn six of their past eight games, Watford need to start going for the jugular, but a point tomorrow would do very nicely.
Verdict: NO WORRIES FOR WATFORD

West Ham v Brighton
3pm tomorrow, Upton Park
Tickets: £24-£35 (£12-£17.50 concs). Tel: 0870 112 2700
Referee: Paul Armstrong (Berkshire).
Facts: Stuart Slater and Colin Foster scored for West Ham in a 2-1 win when Brighton last visited Upton Park in 1990
Standout bet: West Ham to win 1-0 - 13-2 (BlueSq)
With Teddy Sheringham misplacing his free bus-pass every time he's due to play away - his last away game was in September - West Ham are unlikely to get many points on the road, so home games are the key to their promotion hopes. Fortunately, Brighton also suffer from travel sickness and the Hammers should record their sixth straight home win.
Verdict: HAMMERS ENJOY HOME COMFORTS

FA Cup

Bristol City v Brentford
7.45pm tonight, Ashton Gate
Away ticket info: £12 (£8 concs). Brentford supporters can pay at the gate
Facts: Bristol City are unbeaten in 11 matches. Brentford have gone four away games without a win
Bet: Home win - 10-11 (BetFred, Stanley)
Brentford have already lost 4-1 at Ashton Gate this season, but Martin Allen's collection of cloggers and old warhorses have toughened up since then and should force a replay.
Verdict: BRENTFORD BOSS IT

L Orient v Dagenham & Red
3pm tomorrow, Brisbane Road
Tickets: Home: £16 (£10 concs). Tel: 020 8926 1010; Away: £16 (£10 concs), few remaining from Dagenham's clubhouse
Facts: Opening clips for FA Cup Match Of The Day feature Dagenham's Eastbrook pub, Adams Barbers and the Fresh 'N' Tasty sandwich bar
Bet: Orient (h-t); Orient (f-t) - 6-5 (Paddy Power)
The East End will be out in force at Brisbane Road tomorrow, but this first-round Cup tie will be no lovein. The Daggers triumphed 4-1 in the LDV Vans Trophy last season and in-form Orient will be out for revenge.
Verdict: ORIENT TOO GOOD

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