Chelsea vs Fulham Premier League Sat 2nd May 15:00

Saturday 2nd May Chelsea v Fulham, 15:00

Chelsea must be flying high after keeping a clean sheet this week against Barca, but equally Hiddink must be wary of avoiding injury / fatigue prior to the return leg on Wednesday. Hiddink has also ruled out winning the Premier League this season so is likely to rest many of the big names

Fulham on the other hand have a lot to play for. They are currently on course for the highest finish in their 130-year history (best to date was ninth place 2003-04) and a potential place in the third qualifying round for next season's Europa League.

Both teams are solid defensively – this season to date Fulham have only conceded 28 goals (fourth best Premier League record) and Chelsea only 20 (best record). Therefore unlikely to be a showpiece, but a lot for Fulham fans to be interested in.

Premier League Middlesbrough vs Man United Sat 2nd May 12.45

Middlesbrough vs Man United 12.45

Boro fans will be cheered by the knowledge that they beat Liverpool at the Riverside last month and drew with Arsenal before Christmas. Boro will also be relieved that 2 stalwarts of the Manchester United defence – Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville - are almost certain to be out. Gareth Southgate has also called on the fans to get behind the team and help them maintain the Riverside’s status as an unpenetrable fortress in 2009.

However despite the news about Ferdinand and Neville and lthough it is true that the Red Devils have played about 1000 matches this season and will almost certainly look to rest some of the big names ready for Tuesday’s Champions’ League semi final against Arsenal, even a second tier Manchester United is unbelievably formidable and will probably be too much for Boro.

Wigan v Bolton Premiership news Sat 2nd May 15:00

This weekend sees another local Derby for the Latics, who are entertaining Bolton at home. Steve Bruce will be hoping that Wigan can overturn their recent poor form of three consecutive defeats, which have effectively ended their hopes of playing in Europe next season, and finish strongly for the fans. If on-loan strike Mido is fit to play, this will substantially help Wigan’s chances.

The Trotters' results this season against their North West neighbours have also been disappointing, with only five points won from 10 meetings. However as victory this weekend will take Bolton to 41 points and could secure their Premier League status for another year (if other results go their way), Megson should have no problems motivating his men. Megson will also be expecting to have Ricardo Gardner, Danny Shittu and Andy O'Brien available again, which will help his cause enormously.

Tottenham v West Brom Premier League Review Sat 2nd May 15:00

As one of the Tottenham faithful who watched Spurs in freezing temperatures capitulate to West Brom 2:0 in the reverse fixture just after Christmas, I am hopeful that as well as the weather looking much more favourable, Spurs’ impressive run of form at home will continue this weekend (and that conceding 5 goals in the second half against Man U last weekend will be just a distant memory).

West Brom have not managed to score, let alone win, in London this season, but will be optimistic that they can bring their form in the North East to the capital after defeating Sunderland 3:0 last weekend. West Brom, lying in last place in the Premiership, of course have everything to play for this weekend, particularly as the 2 teams above them are playing top 4 opposition and are unlikely to collect full points. However despite the importance of the match and the spirit of the squad and fans, their chances of victory at White Hart Lane are reduced by the fact that Tony Mowbray is without two of his key performers - James Morrison and Abdoulaye Meite are both injured.

Spurs’ leading scorer Darren Bent is also out, but with Keane, Pavlyuchenko and Defoe all fit and available, Redknapp will be able to field a strong attack. Fingers crossed this will be enough to beat West Brom and earn Spurs a sixth successive home victory.

Stoke v West Ham Premiership 2nd May 15:00

If Stoke win this fixture and Newcastle and Boro both lose, Stoke’s premiership future next season is assured. Stoke therefore have a lot to play for and their record at the Britannia Stadium is excellent (currently unbeaten in last 7 home games). The Potters will be hoping that James Beattie will pass a last minute fitness test to maximise their chances of passing the magical 40 point threshold.

The Hammers too will be looking for full points this weekend as they are one of the teams chasing hard for European football next year. They will be hoping that Fulham will drop points against Chelsea and therefore a victory over the Potters will put them back in seventh place. Scott Parker is still out although Kieran Dyer is available to start.

Premier League Portsmouth v Arsenal 2nd May 15:00

Portsmouth have never beaten Arsenal in the Premiership; however this will not prevent Paul Hart from wishing to capitalise on their current run of form and claim the 3 points to make top flight football next season even more secure. Although the influential Kranjcar is out for the rest of the season with a bad ankle, Kaboul is just returning to fitness and is a strong candidate to start for Portsmouth. Formal Arsenal player Pennant is also likely to play. Looking at the names on Arsenal’s squad list, Hart will however be hoping that Arsenal will be resting some of their top names ready for Tuesday’s big European match.

However Andrey Arshavin, who is cup-tied and ineligible for the Champions’ League semi final, will almost certainly start and after scoring 4 times against Liverpool 2 weeks ago his ability can not be under rated. By winning 3 points at Fratton Park Wenger’s men well guarantee a fourth place finish so Wenger will be looking to win this match convincingly.

Groin strain is however sweeping through the Emirates and Arsenal will be without leading scorer Robin van Persie, striker Eduardo and defender Mikael Silvestre for the match.

Manchester United 1 Arsenal 0 Semi Final Champions League 2009

Champions League Result - Semi-Final 1st Leg
MAN UTD 1 ARSENAL 0

A convincing home performance by European champions Manchester United gave them a 1-0 lead to take into the 2nd leg of the Champions League against English Premier League rivals Arsenal.

In the first half Man Utd dominated and scored with John O’Shea, where Arsenal were caught flat footed chasing the ball and not closing down man for man. Almunia was tested numerous times and pulled off some good saves, Man U would have hoped to have made it 2-0 in the first half so at this stage you’d imagine that Wenger would have been philosophical about the 1-0 deficit.

In the second half it was more one way traffic. Christiano Ronaldo smacked the crossbar with a long range shot that dipped viciously towards the Arsenal goal. Manchester United bossed the midfield possession with neat passing between Scholes, Carrick and Giggs driving on the other big game players.

Nicholas Bendtner had a great opportunity to equalise towards the end of the match and Arsenal tried to put the home team under pressure in the final few minutes but Manchester United were just too strong for them.

So will a 1-0 lead be enough for the champions to take to the Emirates next week in order to progress to the Champions League final? I think so, as Man U seem to be peaking again just at the climax of this exciting season. If they don't Fergie will definitely look back at this match and think they should have capitalised on the form they showed with more goals...

Man U vs Arsenal Champions League News

Although previous encounters between Manchester United and Arsenal have been very heated affairs, both on the pitch between players and off the pitch with a war of words between Fergie and Wenger, the build up to this tie has been characterised by the mutual admiration from both managers towards the opposing team. The Scotsman has described the tie as the “perfect semi-final . .. full of terrific footballers” and in particular has heaped praise upon Cesc Fabregas. In return Wenger has paid homage to the 18 year top flight career of Ryan Giggs.

There is however no doubting the desire of both managers to win this tie. Manchester United could and want to be the first European champions to successfully defend their title and Wenger is only too aware that the one big gap in Arsenal’s trophy cabinet and indeed in Wenger’s glittering career is Europe's most prestigious club competition. Wenger came close to winning in 2006, losing to Barcelona in the final and is determined to go one better this time around and admits he will be giving his all in pursuit of this honour. "I had the luck to stay at the same club for 12 years and I also know how much it means to the club and the players. I am just focused to give every bit of energy I have to the team.". Wenger has also made it clear that his strategy will not be to play a defensive game away with the hope of overturning the red devils during the return leg at the Emirates. "The modern rules in Europe encourage the home team to be cautious and the away team to be audacious," he said. "That's why I believe to score an away goal will be very important for us.”

Ferguson shares Wenger’s view that both teams will be playing an attacking exciting game for both legs. "It won't be decided on Wednesday," says Ferguson. "I feel sure of that. I think that there is a lot of football left at the Emirates.

As well as the similarities between the two managers’ approaches and respect for the opposing team, both Manchester United and Arsenal are finishing strongly to the season and appear to have the mental strength necessary to succeed at the top level. Arsenal have kept their nerve despite a very average start to the season and are currently undefeated in 20 league games. Manchester United came back from 2:0 down on Saturday to thrash Spurs 5:2.

Looks like an exciting night of football tonight. Hopefully at least a goal apiece with no red cards or pizza throwing in sight!!

Barcelona vs Chelsea Champions League News

This evening is the first leg in what promises to be an epic clash between two of the biggest teams in European football, when the Catalan giants Barcelona FC host Chelsea at the Nou Camp in the semi-final of the Champions’ League.

The last 2 times these sides met in Europe (2004-05 and 2006-07 seasons) the Londoners were victorious but the time before that (1999-2000 quarter finals) Barca made a dramaric comeback and beat the Blues 5-1 after extra time despite losing the away match 3-1 in London. Arguably this year Barca are stronger than ever, lying streets ahead of all opposition in La Liga and able to field Messi, the highest scorer in the Champion’s League and described by many as the best player in the world, in their line-up.

The rest of Barca’s squad is also impressive, including Henry and Xavi. Henry of course needs no introduction to fans of English football and Xavi is an excellent player who currently is joint top with Ribery of Bayern Munich in terms of assists in the competition. Chelsea will be disappointed that they are not able to field Ashley Cole (suspended) to mark Messi, but a confident Jose Bosingwa is likely to cover at left back. Chelsea are also likely to play Drogba, who is demonstrating a fine run of form at the moment, including scoring in the last 5 of Chelsea’s Champions’ League matches.

Undoubtedly tonight will be a showcase for some fine displays of attacking football, but if history is anything to go by, there may also be some tempers shown. Drogba received a red card during Barcelona's 2-1 win over Chelsea in the 2004-05 competition. The 2-2 draw between the 2 clubs in October 2006 saw 10 players receiving a yellow card. The managers also have some history when it comes to cards; when Hiddink managed Valencia against Barcelona in 1992, the Dutchman was sent off the pitch for arguing and Guardiola, who was then a Barca player, was sent off for two yellows.

Both teams do however have a lot of respect for each other. Despite confidently proclaiming that Barça “won’t fail” Josep Guardiola believes the tie will be decided in London and acknowledges that “no-one goes to Stamford Bridge thinking they’ll have an easy game.” When asked about how Barça would play against Chelsea, Guardiola said that Barca were up against a very strong team, “They’ve got some very powerful players with a lot of experience ... their players are a lot more powerful than ours and are dangerous in the air.”

Hiddink will however not be under-estimating the Spanish giants, who are often brilliant in their own stadium, aiming to overpower the opposition both with skill and with a high tempo closing down style in the opposition's half, which leaves many teams floundering and unable to recover under this early onslaught. Hiddink’s defence will have to be at their absolute best to resist this. Hiddink is however insisting that Chelsea will not sit back and allow Barcelona to dictate play, "This team has to go for it," says Hiddink."Chelsea are not a team who can sit back and wait for one or two counter-attacks. We must play courageously. It's important to score in Barcelona given it's a two-legged tie, so we can have a big chance at home as well. “

The Catalans are favourites to progress to Rome, but no one at Barcelona is viewing this as an easy tie and no one at Chelsea lacks confidence that they will put up a great challenge. This tie is hard to call but my prediction is 2:0 to Barca, which will set things up nicely for an explosive return leg next week at Stamford Bridge.

Barca’s terrifying trio threaten Chelsea

Ahead of the Champions League semi-final showdown this week, Barcelona’s triple attacking threat of Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o and Thierry Henry have been described as a “world-class” front line by Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink. No wonder – Chelsea fans may want to look away now because the trio’s goalscoring stats this season are incredible.

Between them, Messi, Eto’o and Henry have amassed a terrifying 90 goals in all competitions as Pep Guardiola has unleashed a devastating assault on Spain and the rest of Europe. The figures are all the more compelling when you consider those three have hit 66 of the club’s total of 94 league goals so far and 16 of the Catalans’ 29 strikes in the Champions League. This makes this ‘unplayable’ triumvirate Barca’s best-ever forward line collectively so it’s no wonder they remain favourites to see off England’s finest in the remainder of this year’s competition. It’s shudder-inducing stuff indeed.
Barcelona bashed Bayern Munich in the quarter-final, 5-1 on aggregate, after racing into a 4-0 lead inside just 43 minutes of the first leg. No need to ask which players provided all those four goals either.

The problem Chelsea face, other than ensuring they’re still in the tie after Tuesday’s first leg at the Nou Camp, is that all three players are different in terms of style but all pose a huge goalscoring threat. Messi is the incomparable playmaker, all quick-feet often running from deep and linking the play with deft touches while Henry tends to operate out wide on the left these days but is still as devastating in front of goal as he was at Arsenal. Eto’o often does the dirty work for the other two, always chasing and harassing the opposition but his strength and killer instinct means he is just two goals behind Messi on 32 from 42 games in total this term. Not bad for a player who probably would have left if another club had stumped up Barca’s asking price of £25m-plus last summer.

So, how do Chelsea cope in the semi-final? Well, by not reading the football stats for a start.

Aidan Perkins is a sports journalist who writes regularly for Betfair.