Weekend Football Focus

Ken Dyer|Matt Hughes|Paul Fielder|Evening Standard

14 April 2012

Aston Villa v Bolton
3pm Saturday, Villa Park
Last season: 1 (Angel) 1 (Nolan)
Referee: Uriah Rennie (Sheffield)
Facts: Villa's Juan Pablo Angel, Darius Vassell and Carlton Cole have scored only 13 Premiership goals between them this season.
Bolton's serial spitter El Hadji Diouf looks like he is up before the beak after allegedly expectorating all over the fans at Middlesbrough last November. Big Sam Allardyce, when asked what his striker has to do to stay at The Reebok, got it spot-on. "First he has to behave himself," he said.
Verdict: SAM DROOLS WITH GLEE

Blackburn v Man City
3pm Saturday, Ewood Park
Last season: 2 (Sinclair og, Amoruso) 3 (Tarnat, Barton, Anelka)
Referee: Chris Foy (St Helens)
Facts: Blackburn, with 77 cumulative points, have the worst disciplinary record in the Premiership.
OJ Simpson has nothing on Andy Todd after the Blackburn defender escaped punishment after Arsenal's Robin van Persie was foolish enough to headbutt his flailing elbow. And Robbie Savage was at it the other night when Mark Hughes's team met Crystal Palace. Savage was booked but failed to appear in the second half. It was rumoured he had a groin injury but that could be bxxxxcks.
Verdict: CITY WORTH A DRAW

Chelsea v Fulham
12.45pm Saturday, Stamford Bridge - live on Sky Sports 1
Tickets: Sold out
Last season: 2 (Gudjohnsen, Duff) 1 (Pembridge)
Referee: Alan Wiley (Burntwood)
Facts: Fulham haven't scored a first-half goal in the league since Andy Cole's strike at Anfield on 5 February.
This should have been the afternoon when Chelsea clinched the title. It would have been so neat and tidy, 50 years to the day since Ted Drake' side finished as champions. Providing Jose Mourinho's side do the business against their west London rivals tomorrow, it could happen almost by default on Monday, if the Gunners fail to beat Tottenham.
Verdict: SO NEAR

C Palace v Liverpool
3pm Saturday, Selhurst Pk
Tickets: Sold out
Referee: Dermot Gallagher (Banbury)
Facts: Luis Garcia has scored six goals in his last nine games for the Reds. Palace are winless in six matches.
Blackburn's Mark Hughes, whose side hammered a nail in Palace's relegation coffin in midweek, believes the South London team can still escape the drop because they never gave up. But it's unlikely that the other relegation candidates will throw in the towel either. If you have to play Liverpool, though, this may be the time, just before a European week.
Verdict: PRECIOUS POINT

Everton v B'ham
12.30pm Saturday, Goodison Park
Last season: 1 (Rooney) 0
Ref: Rob Styles (Waterlooville)
Facts: Birmingham haven't won at Goodison Park since 1957. Everton have won all five Premiership games in which Duncan Ferguson has scored this season.
Everton underlined their absolute determination to hang onto that fourth spot with their win over a Manchester United side who are losing matches as well as discipline in the final weeks of the season. It would be a major surprise if they slip up tomorrow against a Birmingham side who lost to Manchester City limply in midweek.
Verdict: EVERTON PLOUGH ON

Man Utd v Newcastle
4.05pm Sunday, Old Trafford - live on Sky Sports 1
Last season: 0-0
Referee: Neale Barry (Lincolnshire)
Facts: Newcastle, who have lost their last four games, haven't won a league match at Old Trafford since 1972. Sir Alex Ferguson's side have not scored in three Premiership games.
Celebrity Fight Club comes to Old Trafford on Sunday with the gung-ho geordies up against the mad-for-it Mancs. Gary Neville proved that, true to his word, he hates Scousers by being sent off for kicking the ball at an Everton fan this week so will be hors d'combat. Newcastle showed a distinct lack of fighting spirit in the FA Cup semi-final in Cardiff and may capitulate again.
Verdict: UNITED BATTER 'EM

Middlesbrough v West Brom
3pm Saturday, Riverside Stadium
Referee: Howard Webb (Rotherham)
Facts: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (11) is the only Boro player who has scored more than five league goals. West Brom's last away win against Middlesbrough came in 1952.
A useful point at Tottenham on Wednesday night keeps West Brom's hopes high and now they face another away day chez Middlesbrough. Steve McClaren's side's UEFA Cup run was definitely a nice bonus but it puts a strain on your resources.
Verdict: WEST BROM WIN

Norwich v Charlton
3pm Saturday, Carrow Road
Away ticket info: Sold out
Ref: Martin Atkinson (West Yorks)
Facts: Charlton kept a clean sheet on Wednesday with Talal El Karkouri back. In the three games he missed through suspension, they let in eight.
Charlton's goalless draw at Aston Villa will have made Alan Curbishley relatively happy because, up to then, his team had conceded 12 goals in four games. It would be just like Charlton, though, to click back into gear and do Norwich's admirable bid to stay in the top flight no good at all.
Verdict: HONOURS EVEN

Portsmouth v Southampton
Noon Sunday, Fratton Park - live on PremPlus
Last season: 1 (Yakubu) 0
Referee: Steve Dunn (Bristol)
Facts: Since Boxing Day, either Peter Crouch or Kevin Phillips has scored in every Premiership game in which they have started together for Southampton.
Harry Redknapp could still achieve the unenviable record of steering two clubs towards relegation this season, but it's Southampton who are in the greatest danger. The Saints threw away a two-goal lead against Aston Villa last week and appear to be sinking fast. Alain Perrin has made a good start at Portsmouth, though, and Pompey should live to chime their bells in the Premiership next season.
Verdict: SAINTS IN DISTRESS

COCA-COLA LEAGUE

Brighton v West Ham
3pm Saturday, Withdean Stadium
Away ticket info: Sold out
Referee: Andy Penn (West Midlands)
Fact: In eight starts for West Ham, 20-year-old defender Elliott Ward has yet to lose.
Bobby Zamora is always keen to point out he's a big West Ham fan but unfortunately the feeling isn't mutual, with Hammers supporters often mocking his efforts this season. Zamora went some way to redressing the balance with a winner at Stoke on Tuesday and should be full of confidence ahead of tomorrow's trip to his old club. West Ham should continue their play-off push.
Verdict: BZ TOPS

Millwall v Preston
1.30pm Sunday, The Den - live on Sky Sports 1
Tickets: £17-£23 (£10-£13 seniors, £1 under-16s who can pay on the day). Tel. 020 7231 9999
Last season: 0-1 (McKenna)
Ref: Phil Joslin (Notts)
Facts: David Nugent, the striker Preston signed from Bury in January, has scored seven goals in 15 appearances for Billy Davies's team.
Millwall Lionesses were up for the cup this week but their male counterparts have little left to play for. Preston, on the other hand, have made a remarkable run from mid-table to guarantee a play-off place and are in the form to secure an unlikely place in the Premiership.
Verdict: PRESTON PUNISH MILLWALL

Watford v Sheff Utd
3pm Saturday, Vicarage Rd
Tickets: £20-£25 (£15 concs). Pay at the turnstiles
Last season: 0-2 (Lester, Gray)
Referee: Andy D'Urso (Billericay)
Facts: Blades striker Andy Liddell hasn't scored a league goal since 18 December. Watford have gone five games without a home win.
Watford have given themselves a fighting chance of survival with last week's victory at relegated Rotherham, but one can't help thinking it would have been far easier had Ray Lewington stayed in charge. The club are resigned to losing most of their experienced players in the summer and Adrian Boothroyd faces a difficult job even if he keeps them in the Championship.
Verdict: WOE FOR WATFORD

Wigan v QPR
3pm Saturday, JJB Stadium
Away ticket info: £17 (£12 concs). Pay at the turnstiles
Referee: Paul Danson (Leicestershire)
Facts: Rangers are unbeaten in two previous games at Wigan but have gone five since a win. Wigan striker Brett Ormerod has played for three clubs this season.
QPR are limping to the end of the season with more injuries than a casualty ward and Ian Holloway cannot wait for this Championship campaign to end. If Rangers' luck doesn't change then their final match of the season may be switched to five-a-side. Wigan will have little sympathy, though, as they chase a place in the Premiership. With three games to go, Paul Jewell's side are in an automatic promotion spot but are just two points ahead of third-placed Ipswich.
Verdict: RANGERS RUNNING OUT OF PLAYERS

Brentford v Hudd'field
3pm Saturday, Griffin Park
Tickets: £13-£17 (£3-£12 concs). Pay at the turnstiles
Referee: Paul Armstrong (Berkshire)
Facts: Huddersfield striker Andy Booth has scored six in his last 12 appearances. Brentford are unbeaten in four home games.
There is clearly no sibling rivalry at Huddersfield as the centre-back pairing of brothers Nathan, 21, and Tom Clarke, 17, have taken the Terriers to within a few points of the League One play-offs. Brentford should pip them to the top six, but Martin Allen's men may slip up tomorrow.
Verdict: BROTHERS GRIM FOR BRENTFORD

L Orient v Chester
3pm Saturday, Brisbane Road
Tickets: £16 (£10 concs). Pay at the turnstiles
Referee: Kevin Wright (Cambridgeshire)
Facts: Fifth-from-bottom Chester have lost one of their last six matches. Orient defender John Mackie has found the net three times in five games.
Leyton Orient pulled off the result of the season with a 1-0 win at leaders Southend last Friday so they will probably struggle at home to Chester tomorrow. No wonder Martin Ling is pulling his hair out.
Verdict: LING OUT OF LUCK

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