WEEKEND PREVIEWS

Beardo's back in the hot seat this week after an enforced lay-off due to being on the run from his local bookies. Let's see how he fairs this time out…

A high-noon meeting of two of the three English teams who figure in the last 16 of the Champions League should provide thrills galore for another packed Old Trafford.Ironically the teams are locked on the same number of points, 22, from the same number of games, 13, so the fixture presents and ideal opportunity for the sides to put some distance between them and their rivals.

Although United, the red kind, have lost just once at home in the league Old Trafford is not the fortress it once was and the team is struggling in front of their own supporters who have been saturated with success over the years. United have scored just nine home league goals, only seven other Premiership teams have scored less, all bar Leeds being in the bottom half of the table. That said the team don't concede many either, just three in seven games.

Newcastle will most certainly be up for this one and could provide the stiffest of tests for Fergie's team which hasn't been firing on all cylinders of late but Newcastle don't travel well and have only won once on the road in the league and conceded 12 goals whilst scoring just six.

United will be without Rio Ferdinand and David Beckham plus long-term absentee Roy Keane as well as the suspended Phil Neville. Brother Gary should play of he recovers from a thigh strain. If that is the case then United will field the team that could only draw at West Ham.

Newcastle will be without in-form Hugo Viana after he sustained knee ligament damage against Southampton but Andy O'Brien should start after recovering from knee abrasions. The statistics point to a home banker but I am not so sure. I have a feeling Alan Shearer could come back to haunt 'Fergie'

BEARDO'S VERDICT: I think Newcastle could get at least a draw out of this and maybe even a shock win. Bookies' best: 8/13 home win, 4/1 away win, 9/4 the draw. I think the latter two well worth a go.

FIRST DIVISION: WOLVES v NOTTINGHAM FOREST

What a cracker this could be, two in-form teams with unbeaten runs to defend. Wolves, with their win at Coventry last Saturday, stretched their unbeaten run to eight games while Nottingham Forest are unbeaten in 11 outings. A big blow for Wolves will be the absence of inspirational skipper Paul Ince, who is suspended, although Alex Rae's form should enable his side to cope with Ince's absence. With injuries to Nathan Blake and George Ndah, Dave Jones is trying desperately hard to bring a striker in on loan. The word is that striker could be Les Ferdinand. Forest are looking to field an unchanged side, for the fifth game in a row, although there is a doubt over Jim Brennan who has a thigh strain.

BEARDO'S VERDICT: Although Wolves are not at their best at home and are lightweight in the scoring department I think they might just edge this one, especially if Les Ferdinand arrives in time to play. Bookies' best: 11/10 home win, 11/5 away win, 2-1 the draw.

The two side know each other well after the recent LDV game in which Crewe beat the holders 2-0, but Steve McMahon, who was not a happy bunny that night, will not allow his team to perform below par as they did on their last visit to Gresty Road. Crewe's major injury worry is that defender David Wright will not be fit to play and Effe Sodje, who is the target for one or two clubs, will come into the side in his place. David told givemefootball that despite reports suggesting he will be out for three weeks, he feels 'I could well be back in time to face Bristol City'. He added: "At a push I could have made the Blackpool game but it's not worth rushing back too soon." Meanwhile David Vaughn, who returned for the FA Cup win at Port Vale after a long term knee injury, could feature against The Seasiders. His game against Port Vale was his first since September. Blackpool skipper Ian Hughes is back in contention after missing the last three weeks with a groin injury he picked up in training. On loan Sean Thornton, who was outstanding in the LDV defeat at Crewe, should return to the side after Sunderland refused him permission to play in the FA Cup against Barnsley.

BEARDO'S VERDICT: I think that with Dean Ashton back in scoring form allied to in-form Rob Hulse Crewe will be too good for Blackpool, sorry 'Macca'. Bookies' best: 4/6 home win, 12/5 away win and 10/3 the draw. Home win, me thinks.

THIRD DIVISION: SHREWSBURY v DARLINGTON

Two clubs struggling in the lower reaches of the division and the statistics don't auger well for an exciting game. Both teams are capable of scoring goals but also letting them in. The Shrews have conceded 14 league goals in their eight home games, to date, while Darlington, in eight away games have scored and conceded 12. Those stats suggest a close, high scoring game and if it comes to a 'shoot-out' it could come down to two strikers, one certain to play and one who may. Darlington striker Barry Conlon is hoping to be fit. He has trained all week, despite a groin injury, so he will probably be the main thrust of attack at The Gay Meadow. But midfielder Mark Ford and defender Matt Clarke are both missing through suspension. Goalkeeper Andy Collett is out for a month with cracked ribs so caretaker boss Mick Tait has brought Michael Ingham in from Sunderland, on loan. Shrews boss Kevin Ratcliffe will be delighted to see Freddy Bryngelsson and Darren Moss return. Bryngelsson has shaken off tonsillitis and Moss was suspended for the win over Stafford Rangers. Jamie Tolley also comes back into the side. But 'Rats' biggest worry is whether or not the treatment Ian Woan has been having on his injured knee will enable him to face Darlington. Definite absentees for Town are Chris Murphy, appendicitis, Sam Aiston, calf, and Mick Heathcote, back.

BEARDO'S VERDICT: If Woan is fit I think Shrewsbury will win. Without him I see a score draw. Bookies' best: 5/6 home win, 12/5 away win and 5/2 the draw.