Ed Chamberlin tips up the Carling Cup Final and reveals why he's backing Liverpool in the Premier League.
Silverware and crucial points up for stake in jam-packed weekend
It's going to be a brilliant weekend of sport with the Carling Cup Final, the return of the Premier League, England v France in the Six Nations, Racing Post Chase Day at Kempton and lots more.
A first Wembley final for Birmingham in 55 years, a first final appearance for Arsenal in any Cup competition in four years and the chance to win a first trophy for nearly six long years.
It will be 2018 days on Sunday since Patrick Vieira lifted the FA Cup and Arsenal have suffered their longest run without a trophy since 1979-1986.
The form book points firmly to Arsenal as they have won 11 of the last 16 meetings with Birmingham and done the league double over them already this season.
Ironically, Birmingham's last win over Arsenal in the last 19 meetings (28 years) came at St Andrews on the final day of the 2005 season, six days before Arsenal won their last trophy.
The injuries to Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas on Wednesday night are a concern but Arsenal should still be too good. However, all the pressure is on them to end their trophy drought. Will they hold their nerve? I won't be paying 4/11 to find out.
Sky Bet: 4/11 Arsenal, 7/2 Draw, 8/1 Birmingham (90 minutes)
It's the key 10 days for Manchester United's season.
They just about passed the first test with a draw in Marseille on Wednesday night and next week face crucial trips to Stamford Bridge and Anfield. Before those big matches United (1/2) go to Wigan (6/1) on Saturday in what is always almost a home match for the away team as they take so many fans to the DW.
United have a 100 percent record against Wigan - 12 wins out of 12 in all competitions and have scored 12 goals in the last three games, without conceding. Man Utd have won all five games at the DW Stadium, scoring 14 goals, and are very hard to oppose even at 1/2.
Incredibly Aston Villa (4/5) and Blackburn (7/2) meet for a NINTH time on Saturday since the start of last season. They must be sick of the sight of each other. Blackburn have won the last three Premier League games but overall Villa have had the better of things having knocked Rovers out of both domestic cups this season and won seven of the last 10 meetings in all competitions. Villa have won five of the last six meetings at Villa Park in all competitions, scoring 18 goals in the process.
For my attempt to make it nine winning 'bets of the week' from 11 selections I'm going to Upton Park on Sunday.
I like the look of Liverpool under Kenny Dalglish away from home - they have won 3-0 at Wolves and 1-0 at Chelsea - and fancy them to pick off West Ham, who struggle on their own patch having lost the last two home games and only beaten Spurs, Wigan and Wolves at Upton Park this season.
Liverpool also have a great record against West Ham, having won the last four meetings, scoring three goals in each, and won on five of the last six visits to Upton Park. Therefore Liverpool are my 'bet of the week' to win at West Ham again at evens with Sky Bet.
Sky Bet's title odds: 4/7 Man Utd, 13/8 Arsenal, 22/1 Chelsea, 25/1 Man City, 100/1 Tottenham, 500/1 Liverpool
It's been a miserable few weeks for the sport with frost and flooding abandoning so many fixtures, the horrendous scenes in the paddock at Newbury and last weekend Pride Of Dulcote became the latest high-profile fatality.
Hopefully in less than three weeks time the Cheltenham Festival is going to lift everyone's spirits.
I was delighted to hear Paul Nicholls so bullish about Ghizao's Arkle chance in Monday's stable tour on
skysports.com. Medermit has emerged as a big danger but there's little depth in the race and I remain confident.
Wednesday's RSA Chase was looking in a similar state until a couple of weeks ago but no some serious threats to Time For Rupert have emerged. Aiteen Thirtythree, Jessie's Dream and Wymott now look big dangers. I'll be interviewing Time For Rupert's trainer for my "Big Interview" feature later this week and look forward to hearing his thoughts.
This week's victim was Big Bucks' owner Andy Stewart, who was fascinating about his star horse, hopes of sponsoring with Spinal Research on the Festival's first day and his failed bid to buy the Tote.
Ante-post portfolio
Pandorama to win the Gold Cup @ 14/1
Ghizao to win the the Arkle @ 5/1
Spirit Son to win the Supreme Novices @ 16/1
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