Weekend Football Focus

Fulham v Bolton
3pm Saturday, Loftus Road
Tickets: £28-£35 (£14-£28 concs). Tel: 0870 442 1234
Last season: 4 (Saha, Legwinski 2, Marlet) 1 (Ricketts)
Referee: Andy D'Urso (Billericay)
Facts: Bolton are unbeaten in their past six games and haven't conceded a goal in the Premiership since 25 October. Fulham haven't lost at home to Bolton since 1992
Standout bet: Fulham to win by one goal: 11-4 (Paddy Power)
In the summer, many expected these two to be in football's twilight zone by now. It might still happen, of course, but so far so good for Chris Coleman and Sam Allardyce. The key for both teams is quality: Bolton have Jay-Jay Okocha and Youri Djorkaeff, while Fulham can boast players such as Edwin van der Sar and Steed Malbranque.
Verdict: COLEMAN'S CHIPPER

Leeds v Chelsea
3pm Saturday, Elland Road
Away ticket info: Sold out
Last season: 2 (Gallas og, Milner) 0.
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
Facts: Chelsea have kept seven consecutive clean sheets. James Milner is Leeds's second top scorer with three - two of which were on loan at Swindon
Standout bet: Alan Smith to score the first goal: 11-1 (William Hill)
Certain things remain beyond understanding, such as why anyone would want to use a four-bladed disposable razor, unless they enjoy their cheeks looking like minced beef. How Leeds got themselves into this almighty mess is another mystery, but the Elland Road men in suits will be asking Roman Abramovich whether he has a cousin back home who'd be interested in a bijou cottage in the Dales.
Verdict: CHELSEA STAY IN POLE POSITION

Southampton v Charlton
4.05pm Sunday, St Mary's Stadium - live on Sky Sports 1
Away ticket info: £28 (£14-£21 concs) in advance only. Tel: 020 8333 4010
Last season: 0-0.
Referee: Peter Walton (Winwick)
Facts: Charlton haven't won away to Southampton since 1988. Saints striker Brett Ormerod hasn't scored a home Premiership goal since April
Standout bet: James Beattie to score the first goal: 9-2 (Bet365, Skybet)
My barber Bernie's an avid Charlton supporter but I'm glad I wasn't in his chair when the result against Leeds came through last weekend. "No Bernie, I didn't want a wet shave, put that cut-throat razor down, there's a good chap." Bernie should take heart, though. Alan Curbishley's side are still in good shape despite that shock 1-0 defeat and they seem to be better away from The Valley anyway.
Verdict: CHARLTON A CUT ABOVE SAINTS

Tottenham v Wolves
3pm Saturday, White Hart Lane
Tickets: £29-£46 (£15-£17 concs). Tel: 0870 420 5000
Referee: Uriah Rennie (Sheffield)
Facts: Wolves haven't won at White Hart Lane for 30 years. Spurs have gone five matches since a clean sheet
Standout bet: Spurs to win 3-1: 11-1 (Bet365)
Tottenham fans will have a smile back on their faces following the Carling Cup triumph over Manchester City, but now David Pleat's team must put some Premiership points on the board. In theory, the north Londoners won't have a much better chance than tomorrow, when they are at home to a Wolves pack still licking their wounds following that humiliating defeat by Arsenal's teenies. Spurs' chances will be further enhanced by the return to fitness of Freddie Kanoute.
Verdict: GOOD WEEK FOR SPURS

Leicester v Arsenal
3pm Saturday, Walkers Stadium
Away ticket info: Sold out.
Referee: Rob Styles (Waterlooville)
Facts: Leicester went through November unbeaten in their four games, keeping clean sheets in three. Arsenal last lost away to the Foxes in 1994
Standout bet: Jeremie Aliadiere to score the last goal: 13-2 (Skybet)
Arsenal's future is in safe hands judging by their youngsters' display in the Carling Cup this week. It's the present that matters most to Arsene Wenger, however, and the sight of Patrick Vieira coming through his comeback game unscathed must have been the biggest joy of all. He's likely to be on the bench against tomorrow's opponents, Leicester, who are battling hard to stay out of the bottom three. This will be no walk in the park for Wenger's men, though.
Verdict: ARSENAL KEEP THE PRESSURE ON

Nationwide Division 1

Millwall v Norwich
3pm Saturday, The Den
Tickets: £18-£25 (£5-£15 concs). Tel: 020 7231 9999
Last season: 0-2 (Mackay, Abbey).
Referee: Mick Thorpe (Suffolk)
Fact: Norwich's Darren Huckerby has hit four goals in 14 games on a loan from Manchester City that ends after this match. Millwall are winless in four
Standout bet: Draw (h-t), Norwich (f-t): 9-2 (William Hill, Paddy Power)
We can all be wise after the event, the Millwall manager more so than others. But Dennis Wise must be regretting not bringing in more reinforcements to ease his striker crisis. With four first-team forwards sidelined and the versatile Paul Ifill also out, there will be a heavy burden on loan signing Nick Chadwick, the other Everton wunderkind.
Verdict: DEN'S DEN BOYS SLIP UP

Preston v Crystal Palace
3pm Saturday, Deepdale
Away ticket info: £16 (£8.50-£11 concs). Tel: 08712 0000 71
Last season: 1 (Fuller) 2 (Powell, Kabba)
Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne & Wear)
Facts: Preston, who have gone eight home games without defeat, have failed to score in their past two outings. Palace are unbeaten in four league matches since Kit Symons became caretaker manager
Standout bet: Home win for Preston: 4-5 (Bet365, Paddy Power, Stan James)
A trivia query. By switching Mr Symons from stalwart defender to acting manager, did Crystal Palace become the first league club to change their kit mid-season? Symons' elevation followed Palace's last trip to Lancashire - a 5-0 horror show at Wigan - but with on-loan Rob Edwards now shoring up the defence, a repeat is unlikely.
Verdict: KIT MAKES A POINT