Weekend Football Focus

Matt Hughes|Raoul Simons|Paul Fielder|Evening Standard

14 April 2012

Bolton v Liverpool
3pm Saturday, Reebok Stadium
Last season: 2 (Gardner, Campo) 3 (Baros 2, Heskey).
Referee: Alan Wiley (Burntwood)
Facts: Liverpool have lost one of their four Premiership away games against Bolton. Kevin Nolan has scored four in his past five matches and nine in total this season
Standout bet: Liverpool to lead at half-time and fail to win: 10-1 (Paddy Power)
Liverpool defender Stephane Henchoz this week made the bold claim that, player for player, Liverpool are "no worse" than Manchester United. The 29-year-old then completed his interview with LFC magazine and bumped into Lord Lucan at the cheese counter of his local Tesco. Player for player, Gerard Houllier's side are just about better than Bolton, but the clubs are only separated by two points in the table.
Verdict: BORE DRAW

Everton v Manchester United
3pm Saturday, Goodison Park
Last season: 1 (Campbell) 2 (Beckham, Van Nistelrooy)
Referee: Neale Barry (Scunthorpe)
Facts: Everton's last home victory over Manchester United came in 1995. Ryan Giggs has not scored a Premiership goal since his last visit to Merseyside in November
Standout bet: Manchester United to win by one goal: 11-4 (Paddy Power)
Everton have lost 13 of the past 14 meetings with Manchester United and it looks like more penury tomorrow. Sir Alex Ferguson may be poised to lose his kingdom for a horse but he can still call on some trusty steeds.
Verdict: FERGIE'S THOROUGHBREDS ROMP HOME

Middlesbrough v Blackburn
3pm Saturday, Riverside Stadium
Last season: 1 (Job) 0.
Referee: Rob Styles (Portsmouth)
Facts: Blackburn have gone five games without keeping a clean sheet and Brett Emerton hasn't scored in his past 10 games. Middlesbrough are unbeaten in four home matches
Standout bet: Boro to score in both halves: 9-5 (Paddy Power)
Apart from the Evening Standard Award for the country's most polluted industrial eyesore, Middlesbrough have never won anything, so the smog monsters are understandably excited by the prospect of the Carling Cup Final - which is more than can be said for the rest of the country, who will probably choose to watch it on Ceefax. Boro's league form has also picked up of late and they should beat a beleaguered Blackburn.
Verdict: SILVER LINING AMONGST BORO CLOUDS

Newcastle v Leicester
3pm Saturday, St James' Park
Referee: Steve Dunn (Bristol)
Facts: Leicester are 11 games without a win and have conceded 15 goals in four matches
Standout bet: Newcastle minus one on handicap: 11-10 (Blue Square, Paddy Power)
Leicester's survival hopes are as realistic as the possibility of John Lydon teaching etiquette, but at least they're not sulking about their plight: Micky Adams's side are determined to go down fighting. All is not well at Newcastle with fans grumbling about the lack of signings during the transfer window, but a comfortable home win should cheer the faithful.
Verdict: JOY ON THE TYNE

Southampton v Fulham
3pm Saturday, St Mary's
Away ticket info: £24 (£12-£18 concs). Tel: 0870 442 1234
Last season: 4 (Beattie 3, Ormerod) 2 (Clark, Malbranque).
Referee: Chris Foy (St Helens)
Facts: Fulham haven't won a league game at Southampton since 1935
Standout bet: Kevin Phillips to score the first goal: 11-2 (Paddy Power, William Hill)
Glenn Hoddle's return to the South Coast would be as welcome as a dose of bird flu. However, we don't know the strength of the rumours because chairman Rupert Lowe has taken a vow of silence on the subject. He would do well to find someone of Chris Coleman's ability - last week's victory over Spurs put Fulham back in the race for fourth.
Verdict: RUPERT CAN'T BEAR IT

Aston Villa v Leeds United
3pm Saturday, Villa Park
Last season: 0-0.
Referee: Andy D'Urso (Billericay)
Facts: Leeds are unbeaten at Villa Park since April 2000 but have gone eight games since a victory. Leeds have failed to win in each of the last eight games in which Alan Smith, who hasn't netted since November, has scored
Standout bet: Home win for Villa: 8-13 (Bet365)
David O'Leary is a best-selling author but not even someone of his undoubted literary talent could have penned the sorry story of Leeds United. O'Leary's first book, Leeds United On Trial - which, despite its misleading title, in no way suggested the football club were on trial - played a huge part in this tragic tale and he now has the opportunity to kick his former employers while they are down. Leeds have lost their last six games and, even with Mark Viduka returning to the side, seem destined to make it a not-so-magnificent seven.
Verdict: LEEDS DOWN AND OUT

Tottenham v Portsmouth
3pm Saturday, White Hart Lane
Tickets: £29-£46 (£15-£17 concs). Tel: 0870 420 5000
Referee: Peter Walton (Winwick)
Facts: The last time Spurs threw away a three-goal lead (against Manchester United in 2001) they went on a four-match winning streak. Portsmouth won 1-0 on their last visit to White Hart Lane in April 1988
Standout bet: Jermain Defoe to score the first goal: 11-2 (William Hill)
Two days after the greatest sporting collapse since Devon Loch and the jokes have already started. Focus hears that David Pleat is considering buying a new house - a three up, four down. While awaiting the conveyancing, he is set to interview Home Secretary David Blunkett about the club's managerial vacancy - because Spurs need someone who can hold a lead. Win, lose, draw or forfeit against Pompey, the laughing over the City debacle will not stop
Verdict: SPURS CRACK UP

Wolves v Arsenal
3pm Saturday, Molineux
Away ticket info Sold out
Referee: Phil Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent)
Facts: Wolves haven't lost a home Premiership game since September. Mark Kennedy, who famously scored for Millwall against Arsenal in an FA Cup tie in 1995, has found the net just once in 21 appearances this season. The Gunners haven't lost at Molineux since 1978
Standout bet: More than two goals in the game: 4-6 (Stan James)
Displays of emotion can do wonders for a footballer's career. Just ask Paul Gascoigne. Maybe not, but at least you get a good book deal. Arsenal's Jose Reyes was in tears when he left Spain and again after an own goal against Middlesbrough. Let's hope he can pull himself together to vanquish the Wolves.
Verdict: REY OF SUNSHINE

Chelsea v Charlton
4.05pm Sunday, Stamford Bridge - live on Sky Sports 1
Tickets: Home: Corporate only. Tel: 020 7385 7809. Away: £31 (£15-£23 concs). Tel: 020 8333 4010
Last season: 4 (Hasselbaink, Gallas, Gudjohnsen, Le Saux) 1 (Euell)
Referee: Steve Bennett (Orpington)
Facts: Chelsea play their fourth live TV game in a row and have four more following this one. Charlton are unbeaten in their four London derbies this season, winning three and drawing one
Standout bet: Charlton win: 8-1 (Bet365, Chandler, P Power, Stanley, Tote)
Charlton don't usually have a bad word to say about anyone - except Chelsea. Last season they were furious about having to play this fixture in a sandpit and relations hardly improved when Roman Abramovich nicked their best player. It will be a case of 'no see' Parker tomorrow as the midfielder isn't allowed to play, but Alan Curbishley will have his troops fired up.
Verdict: SCOTT'S MISSED

Man City v Birmingham
2pm Sunday, City of Manchester Stadium - live pay-per-view game
Last season: 1 (Fowler) 0.
Referee: Paul Durkin (Portland)
Facts: City, who have lost just one of their last five matches, have won their last five home games against Birmingham. Steve Bruce's side are unbeaten since losing 4-1 to Tottenham in January
Standout bet: City win: 5-4 (Coral, Paddy Power, Super Soccer)
Kevin Keegan's sides have always been schizophrenic, going from wonderful to woeful and back again in the time it takes to say "I quit". After Wednesday's magnificent comeback at Spurs, what will City's bemused fans get against Birmingham. What price a heavy defeat and a Keegan resignation?
Verdict: ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN

Nationwide League

Bradford v West Ham
3pm Saturday, Valley Parade
Away ticket info: £17-£18 (£7-£12 concs). Tel: 0870 112 2700
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
Facts: Tomas Repka's own goal against Rotherham was the fourth by a West Ham player this season, after gaffes by Brian Deane, Hayden Mullins and Wayne Quinn. Bradford have lost their last three home games, including an FA Cup defeat against Luton
Standout bet: Away win for West Ham: 10-11 (Premierbet)
If West Ham are Chelsea's feeder club then there can be no doubt where the Hammers look for their own supply of talent. First stop Milton Keynes! Alan Pardew's vikingesque pillaging of Franchise FC has raised hopes that West Ham can win automatic promotion and with successful shopping like that he should go on Supermarket Sweep. The Hammers should certainly beat a Bradford team likely to leave Division One by the other door and the Bantams look ripe for a roasting.
Verdict: PARDEW POACHES MORE POINTS

Millwall v Stoke City
3pm Saturday, The Den
Tickets: £15-£25 (£5-£15 concs). Tel: 020 7231 9999
Last season: 3 (Harris, Roberts, Livermore) 1 (Shtaniuk)
Referee: Lee Cable (Surrey)
Facts: Carl Asaba's brace against Walsall ended a 15-game goal drought. Danny Dichio scored three goals in 38 appearances for West Brom prior to scoring four in two for Millwall
Standout bet: Millwall win: 10-11 (Ladbrokes, Coral, S James, Hills)
Whatever Mrs Dichio has been cooking for Danny's dinner should be made compulsory fare in the Millwall canteen. The usually goal-shy striker has been scoring goals for fun since arriving in London, with four in two games for Millwall and, if he carries on like this, he will be promptly recalled by West Brom. In-form Millwall should take advantage while they have the hotshot and a fourth win in five games is on the cards.
Verdict: MILLWALL MARCH ON

Sheffield Utd v C Palace
3pm Saturday, Bramall Lane
Away ticket info: £10 (£5 concs). Tel: 08712 000 071
Last season: 2 (Windass, Allison) 1 (Riihilahti)
Referee: Nigel Miller (Co Durham)
Facts: Andy Johnson took his tally to 20 with his brace against Wimbledon. Palace have won four away league matches in a row. Sheffield United are unbeaten in their last seven home games
Standout bet: Home win: 5-6 (Stan James, Totalbet)
The curse of the Manager of the Month award is due to strike Iain Dowie at Bramall Lane. Dowie rightly claimed the January prize as Crystal Palace collected 10 points from a possible 12 but the good run could come to an end against Sheffield United. Neil Warnock's side are formidable on their home patch and, having lost their last two games, will be determined to bounce back.
Verdict: DOWIE CURSED

Watford v Sunderland
3pm Saturday, Vicarage Road
Tickets: £20-£25 (£10 concs). Tel: 01923 496010
Referee: Lee Probert (South Gloucestershire)
Facts: Former Watford striker Tommy Smith is yet to score an away league goal for Sunderland
Standout bet: Four goals or more in game: 5-2 (Blue Square)
Paul Devlin described last week's defeat at West Brom as "a kick in the painfuls" and Watford could receive another prod in the love-spuds against Sunderland. Mick McCarthy's side have climbed to fourth by winning six of their last seven, while the Hornets are without a win in their last five matches. The relegation battle starts here.
Verdict: WATFORD WINDED

Bristol City v Brentford
3pm Saturday, Ashton Gate
Away ticket info: £15 (£5-£12 concs). Tel: 0870 900 9229
Last season: 0-0.
Referee: David Pugh (Merseyside)
Facts: Jay Tabb scored his first goal since November with the opener against Port Vale last week. Bristol City have won seven in a row
Standout bet: Bristol City minus one on handicap: 11-10 (Blue Sq)
It's been said you need your head examined to support Brentford and here's proof. A Radio 4 programme concluding that watching football was good for your mental health was recorded at the home defeat to Wrexham, but the researchers can't have been to Griffin Park that often. It's not like the BBC to get things wrong . . .
Verdict: NO JOY FOR BEES

QPR v Notts County
3pm Saturday, Loftus Road
Tickets: £17-£20 (£9-£10 concs). Tel: 0870 112 1967
Last season: 2 (Furlong, Langley) 0
Referee: Brian Curson (Leicester)
Facts: Rangers have lost their last three matches but are unbeaten at home in the league
Standout bet: County plus one on handicap: 11-10 (Stan James)
Like a homesick teenager, Rangers are yearning for the warm bosom of home and after three straight away defeats it's not hard to see why. Ian Holloway's side are a different proposition at Loftus Road and their mini-crisis should come to an emphatic end.
Verdict: RANGERS ENJOY HOME COMFORTS

Leyton Orient v Oxford
3pm Saturday, Brisbane Road
Tickets: £12-£16 (£7-£10 concs). Tel: 0208 926 1010
Last season: 1 (Thorpe) 2 (Scott, Crosby)
Referee: Alan Butler (Nottinghamshire)
Facts: Orient had a player sent off, conceded a penalty and lost 2-1 to a last-minute goal when these teams met on Boxing Day
Standout bet: Draw: 9-4 (Blue Square, Coral)
Orient's play-off hopes were dealt a blow at Cheltenham last week but they should be able to return to winning ways at home tomorrow. Oxford's own promotion campaign is starting to falter and Orient are poised to take advantage.
Verdict: ORIENT BOUNCE BACK

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