Weekend Football Focus

Liverpool v Arsenal
12.30pm Saturday, Anfield - live on Sky Sports 2
Away ticket info: Sold out
Last season: 2 (Riise, Heskey) 2 (Pires, Bergkamp).
Referee: Graham Barber (Tring)
Facts: Arsenal, who are unbeaten in nine away league games, have scored penalties in each of their last two Premiership games. Liverpool, for whom Michael Owen has scored seven in five, have gone four games since keeping a clean sheet
Stand out bet: Michael Owen to score the first goal: 9-2 (Stan James, Bet365, Hills)
Arsenal's hooligan-turned-role model Martin Keown is likely to return to bench duty but Michael Owen won't be expecting an easy ride from his replacement Sol Campbell. Campbell and Keown must make the most of the next few games because the FA might just be advising them to take a few weeks holiday following recent indiscretions. This could be another fiery affair - referees have had their work cut out keeping order at Anfield and Highbury in recent seasons - but Arsenal need all the points they can get before the FA get to work.
Verdict: GOOD JOB, GUNNERS

Fulham v Leicester
3pm Saturday, Loftus Road
Tickets: £23-£33 (£12-£26 concs). Tel: 0870 442 1234
Referee: Chris Foy (St Helens)
Facts: Fulham last recorded a home victory over Leicester in April 1979 when two Gordon Davies goals and one from Les Strong gave them a 3-0 win at Craven Cottage. Leicester have gone six away games without a victory
Stand out bet: Steed Malbranque to score the first goal: 10-1 (Corals)
There were many who expected Chris Coleman to be among the early fallers in the managers' sack race but the young Welshman is as safe as houses at Fulham while his team continue to perform for him as they have done in the opening weeks of the season. Last weekend's 2-0 win at Blackburn was a perfect example, with the effervescent Steed Malbranque apparently running the show up at Ewood Park. It has been a much more predictable early season for tomorrow's opponents Leicester, however. Managed by former Fulham favourite Micky Adams, the Foxes are 16th in the Premiership table and it could take a supreme effort to go much higher.
Verdict: COLEMAN'S MUSTARD

Portsmouth v Charlton
3pm Saturday, Fratton Park
Away ticket info: Sold out
Referee: Graham Poll (Tring)
Facts: Portsmouth striker Teddy Sheringham hasn't scored against Charlton since hitting a hat-trick for Millwall at The Den in the old Division Two in April 1991. Both John Robinson and John Salako scored in a 2-0 win when Charlton last visited Fratton Park in 1999. Pompey have not had a home draw in their last 14 matches
Stand out bet: Final score to be 2-2: 14-1 (Ladbrokes, Stan James, Tote)
This is an intriguing little match, not least because both managers have been mentioned as likely candidates for the managerial post currently available in north London. There is no doubt that Harry Redknapp is doing a smashing job down at Portsmouth so it's difficult to see the club's forceful chairman, Milan Mandaric, letting his man just walk away if anyone came knocking. It's much the same with Alan Curbishley at Charlton although he may feel he has served his time at The Valley and deserves the opportunity to move on to a bigger club. Tomorrow's match looks a desperately close affair.
Verdict: POINT APIECE

Tottenham v Everton
3pm Saturday, White Hart Lane
Tickets: £29-£46 (£15-£17 concs). Tel: 0870 420 5000
Last season: 4 (Poyet, Keane 3) 3 (McBride, Watson, Radzinski).
Referee: Dermot Gallagher (Banbury)
Facts: Spurs have lost five of their last six home Premiership matches. Everton have gone five away games without a win. Apart from Freddie Kanoute, Mauricio Taricco is the only other Tottenham player to score a Premiership goal this season
Stand out bet: Kanoute to score the first goal: 11-2 (Paddy Power)
The Spurs ship somehow managed to stay afloat at Manchester City last Sunday but a captain is needed on the bridge sooner rather than later. You pay your money and take your choice of the names being bandied around to succeed Glenn Hoddle but all the time Spurs remain down in the lower reaches of the Premiership. Before the start of the season, and in view of the money the club had spent on strengthening the playing squad, a top-six place was being predicted by Spurs optimists. They may have to review that assessment now but there's still time to enjoy a reasonably successful season - if they find the right man.
Verdict: NO MANAGER, NO POINTS

Middlesbrough v Chelsea
2pm Sunday, Riverside Stadium - live on pay-per-view
Away ticket info: Sold out
Last season: 1 (Geremi) 1 (Terry).
Referee: Mark Halsey (Bolton)
Facts: Malcolm Christie, who scored 13 goals for Derby and Middlesbrough last season, has netted in each of his last two games. When Chelsea played at the Riverside last season, Cameroon midfielder Geremi scored Boro's goal in a 1-1 draw, but on Sunday he will be getting changed in the visitors' dressing room
Stand out bet: Joe Cole to score the first goal: 20-1 (Hills, Skybet)
Wednesday night's home defeat by Besiktas may have been just a hiccup in Chelsea's development but another defeat at Middlesbrough on Sunday would no doubt give Claudio Ranieri a chronic case of indigestion. The Italian has been around the block a few times and will know that one defeat is acceptable, two is tolerable, three he's vulnerable, four and he's culpable. The Chelsea players will also be aware that neutrals all over the country were chuckling into their cocoa on Wednesday night when they heard the Kings Road aristocrats had tripped over their own red carpet.
Verdict: CHELSEA SHOW THEIR METTLE

Nationwide Division 1

Crewe v Watford
3pm Saturday, Gresty Road
Away ticket info: £16.50 (£8.50-£11 concs), available at the turnstiles
Referee: Frazer Stretton (Nottingham)
Facts: Scott Fitzgerald has now scored two in two games for Watford, who have lost all five away matches this season. Crewe have been beaten in all three matches and have failed to score in the absence of manager Dario Gradi, who recently had heart surgery
Stand out bet: Crewe (half-time), Crewe (full-time): 9-4 (Stan James)
Elton John may have rediscovered his love of football, or at least Rupert Murdoch's shilling, but he clearly holds no candle in the wind for Watford. The camp and cuddly pop star was reported to be coming to the aid of the financially-troubled Hornets, but has instead decided to devote his time to his antique furniture. With just one win in nine league games this season Watford could certainly do with a hand-out, but are unlikely to receive much charity at Crewe.
Verdict: SUN GOES DOWN ON WATFORD

Crystal Palace v Cardiff
3pm Saturday, Selhurst Park
Tickets: £19-£25 (£5-£15 concs). Tel: 08712 0000 71
Referee: Clive Penton (Woodingdean, Sussex)
Facts: Cardiff strikers Rob Earnshaw and Peter Thorne have 18 goals between them this season but neither was on the mark in Tuesday's 0-0 draw against Wigan. Palace, who have gone seven league games without a win, are unbeaten at home against Cardiff since 1976
Stand out bet: Away win for Cardiff: 9-4 (Skybet)
Palace are listing badly at the moment and if Steve Kember doesn't turn things around quickly then he could find his chairman asking awkward questions. Simon Jordan is not the most patient of men and is unlikely to tolerate protracted failure. Cardiff are having no problem prospering in the First Division and, with Robert Earnshaw scoring goals for fun, should beat Palace.
Verdict: WELSH WOE FOR PALACE