Weekend Preview

Another bumper weekend of football coming up – click here for all the fixtures across the divisions.

Arsenal – Aston Villa is the pick in the Premiership, while Man Utd (v Stoke) Chelsea (v West Brom) and Liverpool (v Bolton) will competing to see who scores the most. Spurs face a tough test against Fulham’s mean defence, and Blackburn and Sunderland replay their midweek Carling Cup tie – Roy Keane will be desperate for a turnaround. Completing the Saturday games, Wigan visit Newcastle, and Zola is is dire need of a win with West Ham taking on Portsmouth at the Boleyn Stadium.

The weekend is rounded off with Everton Middlesbrough and Hull against Man City on Sunday, both of which are live on Sky (with the Liverpool game (12.45) and Chelsea (17.30) on Saturday)).

Moving through the divisions, in the Championship Reading and Wolves face tough away days at Sheff Utd and Southampton respectively, whereas Birmingham host Charlon, who, without showing much fight, are fighting for their lives.

Apparently they cannot afford to sack Pardew as it would cost them too much money (and obviously he refuses to quit) – a sad state of affairs.

Newly managerless Swindon take on Leicester in League One, a baptism of fire for whoever takes the reigns. Crewe face Leyton Orient in a basement battle, and a Yorkshire derby sees Leeds play Huddersfield.

Rounding off the leagues, the pick of the fixtures in League Two is 2nd v 3rd with Wycombe hosting Bradford. League Two (in one small way mirroring the Premiership) is incredibly close, with anyone down to 7th place capable of occupying top spot and only 15 points separating first place and twentieth. It will be interesting to see what the table looks like after the weekend.