Weekend football focus

Portsmouth v Blackburn
3pm Saturday, Fratton Park
Last season: 1 (De Zeeuw) 2 (Neill, Cole)
Referee: Andy D'Urso (Billericay)
Facts: Portsmouth have won just one of their past seven Premiership matches and lost three out of five at home. Blackburn have lost just two of their past 12 league matches.
Joe Jordan's assertion that "the whole of Nigeria" will be watching Aiyegbeni Yakubu continue to play for Portsmouth might be a shade over the top, but there is no doubt that the big striker is a popular figure, both in Africa and down on the south coast. Whether Portsmouth can hang onto their star is open to debate, but owner Milan Mandaric's valuation of £12million for the player could well dissuade possible buyers.
Verdict: POINT APIECE

Tottenham v Chelsea
3pm Saturday, White Hart Lane
Tickets: Sold out
Last season: 0-1 (Hasselbaink)
Referee: Graham Poll (Tring)
Facts: Spurs have gone 11 games and 28 months since their last home win against London opposition in the Premiership.
This really is a game to stimulate the saliva glands. Jose Mourinho reckoned that boring Spurs had parked the team bus in front of goal at Stamford Bridge, but that parking space will surely be free at White Hart Lane tomorrow when Martin Jol's buoyant side face the best team in the land. The outcome may well hinge on defence, where Chelsea have the edge.
Verdict: CHELSEA VICTORY

Liverpool v Manchester United
12.30pm Saturday, Anfield - live on Sky Sports 1
Last season: 1 (Kewell) 2 (Giggs 2)
Referee: Steve Bennett (Orpington)
Facts: Manchester United would be just one point behind Chelsea if their results had been taken at half-time. Ryan Giggs (101) has delivered the most crosses in the Premiership.
Sir Alex talking to referees? Would Gordon Brown like to be Prime Minister? The day Ferguson stops giving officials an ear-bashing will be the day he packs up. United proved against Chelsea that they are becoming a hard side to break down, but if Liverpool's ace in the pack, Steven Gerrard is in the mood, he could win this game on his own.
Verdict: LIVERPOOL EDGE HOME

COCA-COLA LEAGUE

Nottm F v Millwall
3pm Saturday, City Ground
Away ticket info: £25 (£1-£17 concs). Tel. 020 7231 9999
Last season: 2 (Reid, Johnson) 2 (Livermore, Chadwick)
Referee: Nigel Miller (Co Durham)
Facts: Millwall haven't lost at Nottingham Forest for more than 15 years. Millwall have lost three of their four matches since Darren Ward sustained an ankle injury.
Gary Megson's last days at West Brom were sullied by his deteriorating relationship with the club's directors so he is fighting for his reputation by taking on a new challenge at Nottingham Forest. Megson can hardly do a worse job than his predecessor Joe Kinnear, who not only led them into the relegation zone but showed all the wisdom of Prince Harry in a fancy dress shop by urging fans to forget all about the achievements of Brian Clough. Millwall represent a difficult baptism for Megson but he could earn a point.
Verdict: GOOD START FOR MEGSON

QPR v Stoke City
7.45pm Friday, Loftus Road - live Sky Sports 1
Tickets: Limited availability. Tel. 0870 112 1967 for info
Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire)
Facts: Stoke haven't won at Loftus Road since a 1-0 Division victory in August 1974. QPR have gone eight without a win.
Ian Holloway's walking wounded are beginning to return to full health, which is just as well as their recent form has been decidedly sickly. The Rangers manager struggled to find 16 players for last week's FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest but, with new signings Andrew Davies and Simon Royce added to his squad, he should be scared the indignity of scouring Shepherd's Bush for some substitutes at five minutes to three tomorrow. Ade Akinbiyi gave Arsenal a fright in the FA Cup last week so Rangers could be in for a torrid afternoon.
Verdict: AKINBIYI NO PANIC BUY

Watford v Crewe
3pm Saturday, Vicarage Road
Tickets: £20 (£15 concs). Tel. 0870 111 1881
Last season: 2 (Hyde, Wright og) 1 (Ashton)
Referee: Keith Hill (Hertfordshire)
Facts: Heidur Helguson has scored 14 goals this season - seven of which have been the first of the game.
Anyone who witnessed Watford's superb performance against Liverpool this week will have struggled to explain why Ray Lewington's side have won just one of their last 13 league games. Steven Gerrard admitted that Liverpool were guilty of some complacency against the Championship side and perhaps Watford also struggle to motivate themselves for more mundane challenges. A home game against Crewe is certainly that, but if the Hornets can replicate their Anfield form they should have no problems.
Verdict: CUP KINGS STAR IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP

Wolves v West Ham
3pm Saturday, Molineux
Away ticket info: ALL TICKET. £24 (£13 concs). Tel. 0870 112 2700 (no tickets available on match day).
Referee: Clive Penton (Sussex)
Facts: Wolves have drawn five of their last six league games 1-1. Bobby Zamora hasn't scored since October.
Glenn Hoddle has not achieved a league win in six games at Wolves since taking over last month and may be considering dusting down his Rosary Beads to ask for a spot of Divine Intervention. Alan Pardew is also under pressure as his West Ham side continue to flatter to deceive, but Hoddle would love to be in his position - on course for the play-offs. Wolves have not beaten the Hammers since 1991 and that barren run could well continue.
Verdict: HOD'S PRAYERS UNANSWERED

Port Vale v Brentford
3pm Saturday, Vale Park
Tickets: £16 (£7-£10 concs). Pay at the turnstiles
Last season: 1 (Paynter) 0
Referee: Clive Oliver (Northumberland)
Facts: Port Vale have gone 15 games without a draw. Brentford's last win away to Port Vale was in 1967.
After a difficult Christmas period that was stickier than a whole pile of puddings, Brentford have turned the corner with two straight wins including last week's FA Cup success at Luton. With Hartlepool or Boston awaiting in the next round Martin Allen's side are confident of reaching the last 16, but closing in on the League One play-offs is even more important to their season.
Verdict: BEES ON THE MARCH

L Orient v Grimsby
3pm Saturday, Brisbane Rd
Tickets: £16 (£10 concs). Pay at the turnstiles
Referee: Steve Tanner (S Gloucestershire)
Facts: Grimsby have won two of their 12 away league matches and have won just one of their last six in League Two.
After topping the League Two table well into the autumn, Leyton Orient have had to readjust their sights of late, but appear to be back in contention for a top-six spot. The home form of Martin Ling's side will be the key to their promotion prospects and they should see off Grimsby.
Verdict: NO PROBLEMS FOR ORIENT