Manchester United will be looking to take the points from this encounter after just picking up 1 point out of the last 2 matches. The performance of the Red devils was not at all impressive to say the least versus Benfica, but still managed to get a 1-0 midweek. This fixture is traditionally a goal fest and one of the most exciting fixtures in the premiership which always has goals in it. Glen Roeder will be looking to make some changes after they lost versus Liverpool and then managed to scrap a draw with a lucky offside goal against Everton.

Manchester Untied has been struck with the Metatarsal again, and this time it is Sweeper/Defender Mikael Silvestre who is out for a minimum of 6 weeks. Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney have suffered that injury this year. This injury will not affect United as much since they have able replacements in the form of Gabriel Heinze and Patrice Evra. Ryan Giggs is still out injured with a hamstring pull. For Newcastle, Titus Bramble and Babayaro are both facing suspension. Guiseppe Rossi will ofcourse not be able to take part in the fixture according to the Premier league rules on loaned players. The injury worries don’t end here for Newcastle after their keeper being ruled out for a month, it is now Solano and Dyer both out for long term injuries.

This match is fairly easy to predict if things turn of right, I expect Manchester United to simply ‘thrash’ a week Newcastle side. A win by a two goal margin is inevitable according to me. So putting your money on Manchester United for Asian Handicap (-1.5,-2.0) @ 2.22 is a decent bet. Over 2.5 goals in the match @ 1.85 is also a nice bet provided both teams attack well. Christiano Ronaldo has been in great form and probably the best United player this season after Ryan Giggs, so i expect him to score. Ronaldo scoring anytime in the match is at 2.62 which is where my money is! Look out for a possible 4-1 or 5-1 scoreline.

Stuart Pearce’s young side travel to Goodison Park on Saturday looking for their second consecutive Premier league victory, a feat they havent been able to achieve for 35 games now. The win against West Ham has lifted the pressure which was building around Stuart Pearce and “Psycho” would love to get City’s first away points of the season at Goodison. Alongwith the usual suspects, “Beannie, the Horse” will also travel to Goodison with Pearce. The toy-horse given to Pearce by his daughter proved to be the “lucky mascot” in their win against West Ham. Beannie will be seen on  the sidelines again this week.

Ousmane Dabo is available for selection again following his 3 match ban for a direct red card. Hatem Trabelsi is still struggling with a groin problem. Thatcher, Vassell and Isaksson are definitely out. Ishmael Miller was very impressive against the Hammers and he will play agin on the left hand side of midfield relegating City’s new recruit DaMarcus Beasely to the bench. Star striker Samaras scored two delectable goals in the past week and the onus will again be on him to bulge the Everton net. Dickov and Corradi will partner him in attack.

Moyes’ side is riding high thanks to the goal-poaching abilities of Andy Johnson. Moyes will be pretty confident going into this home game. Moyes has been pretty reluctant to play Beattie alongside Johnson up-front. This home game against lower rank City may give him the opportunity to play the two England internationals upfront. Gary Naysmith, Alan Stubbs and Alessandro Pistone are all nursing injuries and will miss the game. Tony Hibbert is suspended for this one following his red card at St.James’ Park last week.

My Verdict: Everton are a bit thin at the back. I dont expect them to keep a clean sheet. On the other hand, City have been dismal away from home. 1-1 will be a safe bet with Johnson and Corradi to score !

Real Madrid will take on Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday with both sides desperate to get a win under their belt after their disappointing performances in Week 1 of the Champions league proper. Real Madrid lost 2-0 to a spirited Lyon side, while Dynamo were thrashed 4-1 by Steaua Bucharest.

The surprise in the Real Madrid line-up is Brazilian striker Ronaldo, who will make his comeback after 2 long months from recovering from his knee surgery. He will replace the former Manchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy who has been given leave to attend the birth of his first child. Ronaldo has not yet played under the new Real Madrid coach Capello and it will be interesting to see how he plays. Cicinho is out for a more than 7months with ruptured knee ligaments from playing against Real Betis last weekend. Michel Salgado will take his place at the Right back position. Roberto Carlos looked like he would not take part in this encounter after he was stretchered off against Betis but is declared fit. David Beckham is likely to miss out again with Jose Antonio Reyes in sparkling form at his new club. Dynamo Kiev will be take the field without Rebrov their key striker due to a hip injury. Midfielder Rotan is also out with a injury he faced last week in the Ukrainian domestic competition.

Real Madrid look favorites to win this match by a minimum of two goal margin. So a bet of Asian Handicap on Madrid (-1.5, -2.0) at 2.05 gives you a decent chance. Also Real Madrid to win both halves is at 2.25. I am although putting my money on the Asian Handicap where Real will have to win by 2 clear goals for me to win my money. Ronaldo to score on his comeback @ 1.90 is a risky bet but if he starts you wouldn’t put your money against it!

A lot of the Manchester United player will be looking forward to this match, after getting beaten by Benfica last year. Manchester United finished last in the group stages of the Champions league and didn’t even manage to qualify for the UEFA cup. Benfica beat Manchester United 2-1 in the fixture last season and will be looking to repeat the result again on Tuesday. Manchester United are not going into this match with a great deal of confidence behind them after they were beaten 1-0 at home to Arsenal and managed only a 1-1 draw versus newly promoted Reading.

Manchester United do not have any new injury worries, they are already without Ryan Giggs, Mikael Silvestre and Park Ji-Sung. Luis Saha did not manage to make the starting line-up against Reading but will almost certainly start against Benfica. Sir Alex Ferguson has already stated that the part played by Rooney and Ronaldo will be extremely important if the club are to make progress in the Champions league. It looks like Ronaldo will start on the left with Darren Fletcher who has had an impressive start to the new season on the Right. Scholes and Carrick will play in the centre. Benfica will be without key men Rui Costa and Nuno Assis who are both out injured. If Benfinca are to make an impact in this fixture it has to be Nuno Gomes and the Portuguese international, Sambrosa Simao who will have to create most of their chances.

According to me, it will be Manchester United to take all three points even though they are going into the fixture with no wins in the last 2 matches. Manchester United to win the match at the Odds of 2.10 is a good bet in my opinion. Along with that, Wayne Rooney to score anytime in the match is at 2.25.

Porto will take on a spirited Arsenal team at the Emirates stadium on Tuesday. This will be Arsenal’s first match at their new home in front of over 60,000 fans in the Champions league proper. One of the most significant stat of the evening would be Arsene Wenger’s 10 year anniversary as the Arsenal manager. Arsenal have earlier played a qualifying round and won against Dinamo Zagreb but it ofcourse not the same as the UEFA Champions league proper. Porto will be looking to get their first win in Europe this season after they were held to a 0-0 draw versus CSKA. Arsenal have good their form going after the 3 consecutive wins starting with a win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Porto on the other hand have got off to an impressive start in their domestic league.

Thierry Henry made a successful comeback against Sheffield Untied at the weekend and will surely start on Tuesday. Arsene Wenger does not have any new injury worries and is likely to field the same side as he did against Sheffield United. Porto on the other hand have a lot of players missing out on this crucial fixture. Pedro Emanuel, Valente, and Ibson da Silva will all miss out due to injuries. Helder Postiga, the Portugal and former Tottenham Hotspur player will look to make his mark in this big match. Arsenal’s midfield looks strong with Cesc Fabregas and Giberto in the centre with Ljungberg and Rosicky would get into wide positions.

After getting good results and winning their last three matches quite convincingly, I can only see one side taking all 3 points. Arsenal look strong in every area and if they are to maintain their good form of being the UEFA Champions league finalists I would surely expect them to take it comfortably. Porto will look to defend and might frustrate the gunners by keeping them away from the goal but they will eventually score. A good bet would be a Halftime/Full time – Draw/Arsenal @ 4.33. Asian Handicap on Arsenal (-1.5 goals) at 2.33 also seems to be a good bet as i expect the gunners to score a lot of goals.

Money makes the mare go. Russian billionaire Alexander Gaydamak invested his money in the south coast club and his investment has seen the  South Coast club zoom northwards in the Premiership table. Portsmouth are second in the table before going into this game at home against an injury-stricken Bolton side and a home win will see them top the Premiership , a feat remarkable for a small-ish south coast club.

Harry Redknapp has a plethora of talent to choose from. His side is built on a strong defensive back four which is led by the likes of Campbell, Stefanovic and David James in goal. Portsmouth have not conceeded a goal for the last 451 minutes in the Premiership and it would be a herculean task for Bolton to breach their defence. The game might as well see the triumvirate of Manuel Fernandez, Andy Cole and Nico Kranjcar make their Premiership debuts for Pompey. Kanu , LuaLua and Benjani all have been in sparkling goalscoring form and will fight it out for the strikers’ slots. And for a change, Harry Redknapp does not have any real injury worries going into this one.

Sam Allardyce has been stung by the “bung” allegations in the past week. And he would like to silence his critics when his team takes the pitch at Fratton Park. Injury worries a plenty for “Big Sam”. Kevin Davies has a fractured cheekbone and he may partner Anelka upfront albeit only after wearing a protective mask to cover his facial injury. Inspirational skipper Kevin Nolan, Ben Haim, Greek star Stelios Giannakopoulos, former United midfielder Fortune and  Amdy Faye all face a race against time to be fit for this clash at Fratton Park. Gary Speed will anchor the midfield and he will be a very crucial cog in the Bolton wheel if they have to thwart the attacking threat of Pompey.

My Verdict: Last season’s fixture ended in a 1-1 draw. But I can’t see the same happening this time around. With Uriah Rennie officiating this one, a penalty or two can be expected. Portsmouth will be too strong for the Trotters , to nick this one 2-1. I bank on Anelka to open his Bolton account in this one, and dont be surprised if its from the penalty spot !