Beardos backing the Gunners to beat Leeds at Elland Road, so thats good news for Terry Venables! Check out the rest of his predictions – and see how he fairs on Monday.
PREMIERSHIP: LEEDS UNITED V ARSENAL
High noon at Elland Road as the rampant Gunners go searching for more records following their impressive Champions League display in thumping PSV Eindhoven 4-0 in midweek. Already five points ahead of Saturdays hosts Arsenal are seeking to extend their awesome Premier League away record of 22 games unbeaten.
And if they do not lose to Leeds the London club will equal Manchester Uniteds record of 29 games without defeat, something that will please Arsene Wenger as much as it will tick off Sir Alex. If Arsenal score at Elland Road, does the Pope have a balcony, they would also break the all-time league record, currently shared with Chesterfield, 46, of netting in consecutive league games.
Terry Venables side may just provide the kind of reality check Arsenal need after their European heroics but it may also have the opposite affect. The Gunners are on fire, at present, collectively and individually and when Patrick Vieira says 'we feel really strong at the moment and we feel we can beat anybody you have to believe him.
Leeds have only conceded one league goal at Elland Road so it will be an interesting afternoon as the home defence comes to terms with Henry and Wiltord, the top Premiership marksmen at the moment, though the Leeds skipper will play through the pain barrier.
Earlier this week Dominic Matteo told givemefootball: "I am not able to train at present and can only play games, so that is very frustrating. Unfortunately that is the way it has to be but at the moment it is going well and should be fine soon."
While Alan Smith is doubtful Harry Kewell could be back and Pascal Cygan, who replaced hamstring victim Martin Keown, after just ten minutes against PSV, stands by for his full debut.
The only other 'problem' for Wenger is whether to stick with Dennis Bergkamp, up front, or recall Kanu, some problem. Boost for Leeds, Arsenal have failed to win in their last two visits to Elland Road.
BEARDOS VERDICT: I have to go with form and Arsenal are so impressive at present so I go for the Gunners to fire themselves to a narrow victory and more records. Bookies bet: 11-5 Leeds; 1/1 Arsenal and 11/5 the draw.
FIRST DIVISION: WALSALL V SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Wednesday go into this fixture on the back of four consecutive draws, and an unbeaten run of seven games, but the run can be viewed from two perspectives. The two teams have a similar record and are well matched but a defence that has conceded 13 goals in ten games, Wednesday, versus a team that has hit 12 in the same number suggests that this one will not be a score draw.
Walsall boss Colin Lee knows how hard it will be against Wednesday and their star striker Shefki Kuqi, who Lee tried to buy when he was at Wolves. He says: "I have watched Wednesday and they are a good football team, especially with Kuqi up front."
Jorge Leitao is back in scoring form and when he is on form Walsall tend to do well whereas Terry Yoraths team, whilst being hard to beat, have only won one of their league games to date though they have drawn six times.
Indeed the Wednesday boss lambasted his team after the 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace, saying: "It was the worst performance of the season."
In the continued absence of Matt Carbon, Ian Roper will play alongside Danny Hay and skipper martin OConnor will play despite a groin problem.
BEARDOS VERDICT: This is a hard one to call but I am going for a narrow home win, perhaps 2-1. Bookies bet: Walsall 6/5; Wednesday 9/5 and 9/4 the draw. I think a home win is fairly priced.
SECOND DIVISION: CARDIFF V CREWE
What a cracker to set before the fans of the teams that are sitting first and fifth in the table. Crewe, after and indifferent start, are unbeaten in nine games and Cardiff, with Rob Earnshaw back to his scoring best, sit on top of the table after the strikers brace earned a 2-2 draw at Plymouth in midweek.
Crewe have their own in-form striker in Rob Hulse. Last season all the talk was of Dean Ashton but this campaign the England Under 19 star has struggled whereas Hulse has been in top form.
Lenny Lawrence has called for a bit of common sense, despite his team's position at the top of the league. He says: "I am not getting carried away with the table."
Crewe will be without David Vaughan for this game in his homeland. The Welsh Under 21 international missed the win over Tranmere with a knee injury and rest is the diagnosis at present, though surgery, some way down the road, will not be ruled out.
BEARDOS VERDICT: I am going for the away win, slightly ahead of a draw. Bookies bet: Cardiff 5/6; Crewe 11/4 and 9/4 the draw.
THIRD DIVISION: ROCHDALE v MACCLESFIELD
Rochdale slipped up at Kidderminster last Saturday and the 0-0 draw allowed Hartlepool to leapfrog them into top spot, with Torquay splitting the two but Paul Simpson will have read the riot act this week and Macclesfield might well be on the receiving end.
He says: "It will be a tough game because they have had some very good results away from home while we have to try and start a good home run. We are pleased, so far, but it could be better."
Dale have hit 17 goals so far in the league but the defence is always likely to allow the opposition a chance or several, having conceded 12. Macclesfield have a similar problem, in reverse. The Silkmen have managed 12 league goals but have lost six and let in 15.
The statistics alone suggest a draw but home advantage, plus the goal threat of the player manager, show that Rochdale should just have the edge, especially if David Moss, as he hinted this week 'gives the youngsters, who have already been on the bench, their chance.'
BEARDOS VERDICT: A home win. Bookies bet: Rochdale 4/7; Macclesfield 9/2 and 12/5 the draw.
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