Weekend football focus

Manchester United v Chelsea
12.30pm Saturday, Old Trafford - live on Sky Sports 1
Away ticket info: Sold out
Last season: 0-3 (Melchiot, Hasselbaink, Gudjohnsen)
Facts: United have gone 17 home games without defeat and Paul Scholes has scored in each of their last four outings. Referee Uriah Rennie has given only two red cards in 11 Premiership matches this season
Recommended pub: Quality Hotel (Trafford Park, Waters Reach)
It's difficult to see anyone catching Arsenal in their present mood but Chelsea can move alongside tomorrow's rivals, second-placed Manchester United, if they can somehow contrive a victory at Old Trafford. It seems that Sir Alex Ferguson wasn't too impressed with Ruud van Nistelrooy's comments that gambling was popular among the United players although, quite frankly, it would have been more of a shock if it wasn't. Loads of money plus plenty of free time often equals serious betting - as Chelsea's Eidur Gudjohnsen (above) can testify - and that's the way it's been in football for a good few years.
Verdict: A HUNCH FOR CHELSEA

Arsenal v West Ham
2pm Sunday, Highbury - live on pay-per-view TV
Tickets: Sold out
Last season: 2 (Ljungberg, Kanu) 0
Facts: West Ham have lost their last four games at Highbury. Jermain Defoe has scored in West Ham's last three matches; Thierry Henry has been on target in four successive Premiership games for Arsenal.
Recommended pub: Drayton Park (66 Drayton Park)
You look at the way Arsenal are playing and the fact West Ham are 32 points behind them and you may wonder if it's worth the Hammers turning up. Glenn Roeder's team, perilous though their position undoubtedly is, will also include some more than useful players and have only lost one of their last seven matches. The last week can't have been easy for the Bowyer family but it is to be hoped that Lee will keep his head down and let his football do the talking. If he does, there aren't many better English midfielders in the Premiership.
Verdict: HOORAY HENRY

Aston Villa v Tottenham
3pm Saturday, Villa Park
Away ticket info: Sold out
Last season: 1 (Angel) 1 (Ferdinand)
Facts : Spurs have not won at Villa Park for 16 years. Villa's 1-0 defeat earlier this season at White Hart Lane was their first in seven meetings
Recommended pub: Cap N'Gown (Witton Road)
So Tim Sherwood is thinking about suing Tottenham on the grounds of discrimination. Not being party to finer nuances of Sherwood's relationship with Glenn Hoddle, it's not easy to make a judgement but what's next in this crazy world of litigation? "Can't drop me gaffer, I'll phone my lawyer." Spurs have taken a fair bit of flak recently for what is reported as internecine squabbling but there was no sign of a lack of spirit in their 4-3 win over Everton, especially from Robbie Keane, an Irishman who has a twinkle in his toes, as well as his eye.
Verdict: KEANE THE HERO AGAIN

Charlton v Bolton
3pm Saturday, The Valley
Tickets: £20 (£10-£15 concs). Tel. 020 8333 4010
Last season: 1 (Johansson) 2 (Djorkaeff 2)
Facts: Bolton have lost only one of their last four matches at Charlton. Charlton have gone eight home games without defeat
Recommended pub : The Bugle Horn (The Village)
There is no chance of Bolton complaining about the pitch at The Valley tomorrow. It is true that Stamford Bridge did resemble Jaywick with the tide out last weekend but ordering a replay would be a dangerous precedent. You can imagine some of the protests: "We can't play on this, it's too muddy and we haven't brought our wellies", or "we thought it was going to be sandy so we've only got our flip-flops". Bolton, while in desperate need of points to ease their worries, are still standing firm over the possible transfer of Michael Ricketts to Tottenham.
Verdict: CHARLTON PITCH IN TO WIN

Fulham v Middlesbrough
4.05pm Sunday, Loftus Road - live on Sky Sports 1
Tickets: £23-£30 (£11-£23 concs). Tel. 0870 442 1234
Last season: 2 (Saha, Marlet) 1 (Cooper)
Facts: Mark Halsey referees Middlesbrough again in London after being at the centre of attention in the Dean Windass-Carlo Cudicini incident at Stamford Bridge.
Recommended pub: O'Donoghues (Goldhawk Road)
Image over substance seems to be the name of the game these days, what with Facundo Sava wearing his silly masks and Tony Blair all decked out in what looked like a plum-coloured jump suit. He looked like he was auditioning for a part in Star Trek - beam me up, Alastair! The reality for Fulham, though, is that they need a few wins, just to ease the nerves and they won't have a better chance than Sunday's home match against Middlesbrough, because Steve McClaren's men, with only one Premiership win away from the Riverside, haven't been travelling too well so far this season.
Verdict: FULHAM FASHION A DRAW

NATIONWIDE DIVISION 1

Crystal Palace v Burnley
3pm Saturday, Selhurst Park
Tickets: £19-£25 (£5-£15 concs). Tel: 020 8771 8841
Last season: 1 (Morrison) 2 (I Moore 2)
Facts: Burnley have gone eight away games without a win but are unbeaten at Palace since May 1983
Recommended pub: Clifton Arms (Clifton Road)
A month ago this sentence would have sounded wildly improbable but... Crystal Palace have a good chance of reaching the play-offs. Trevor Francis's side have won four of their last six league games and, with first-choice strikers Dougie Freedman and Andrew Johnson to return from injury, should finish strongly. Burnley are unbeaten in five games themselves, a good run which should end at Selhurst Park.
Verdict: EAGLES SOAR EVER HIGHER

Grimsby v Millwall
3pm Saturday, Blundell Park
Away ticket info: £15 (£9 concs), available to members only. Tel: 020 7231 9999
Last season: 2 (Rowan, Boulding) 2 (Sadlier, Claridge)
Facts: Millwall are unbeaten for three games but Grimsby have kept only one clean sheet in 15
Recommended pub: The Leaking Boot (Grimsby Road)
Grimsby are auctioning limited-edition bed linen in a desperate attempt to raise some money and Millwall fans are advised to pack their pillows for a game that could easily send spectators to sleep. Mark McGhee's side will be happy with a point from a long trip after an eventful week, while the Mariners rarely entertain. The local fish and chips will be the best thing on the menu.
Verdict: BORE DRAW