Newcastle United v. Everton
Saturday, 10 a.m. (ET), Sportsnet
After the midweek F.A. Cup loss to Reading, Everton has little to play for the rest of the way except to ensure Premier League safety for next season, but faces a stern test to pick up another three points this weekend. The Toffees haven't won in their last eight trips to Newcastle's St. James' Park, where the home side are notoriously tough to beat down.
Still, Everton will likely point to the rich vein of form currently being enjoyed by striker Jermaine Beckford, who has four goals in his last five league games, as a sign that it can get the requisite result up north, but with influential midfield duo Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini missing, it looks like a tall order, especially for a team that has not registered back-to-back league successes since Oct.
Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Everton
ODDS
Newcastle win: 8/5
Everton win: 7/4
Draw: 11/5
Juventus v. AC Milan
Saturday, 2:45 p.m. (ET), The Score
What is usually one of the crown jewels in the Serie A calendar looks anything but this season. Juventus currently trails the league leader by a whopping 17 points, and given its inconsistent play of late, even hauling itself back into contention for a Champions League spot looks like a long shot at present.
The Old Lady is unlikely to be getting any helping hand from the Rossoneri this weekend though, with Milan needing all three points to keep hard-charging neighbour and rival Internazionale from smelling blood from five points back in second.
Still, despite Juve's downturn in fortunes, Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has no doubt his former side will make the spectacle a dramatic one.
"They've had bad luck this season, but they are still a club with a winning outlook, and Milan against Juve, with all the history, is still about more than just three points," he told the Gazzetto dello Sport.
Prediction: AC Milan 2-0 Juventus
ODDS
Juventus win: 2/1
Milan win: 6/4
Draw: 2/1
Liverpool v. Manchester United
Sunday, 8:30 a.m. (ET), Setanta Sports
With all due respect to the other fixtures on offer, the Anfield clash of two of the bitterest rivals in world football is easily the most eagerly anticipated matchup of the weekend.
Following Man U's 2-1 loss to Chelsea last Tuesday, neutrals - and Arsenal fans - will be wanting to see if the slipup turns into a full-blown slide, with the Gunners, assuming they pick up three points at home to Sunderland - no sure thing after last weekend's Carling Cup final - eager to close in on the summit.
For Liverpool fans, still biting their nails over the possibility that United could clinch a 19th league title this season and break out of the two-way tie between the clubs, the match represents the Reds' last chance to trip up their great rivals. It could also see Andy Carroll, the club's 35-million-pound record signing, make his long-awaited debut, with manager Kenny Dalglish likely eager to pitch the England forward against a makeshift United defence, missing Rio Ferdinand through injury and Nemanja Vidic through suspension.
Still, Dalglish has won just four times in 23 career meetings against Ferguson's team, so the omens are not good, but one things for sure, with only one match in their last 21 meetings finishing as a draw, somebody will almost certainly be celebrating come final whistle.
Prediction: United 2-1 Liverpool
ODDS
Liverpool win: 15/8
United win: 6/4
Draw: 11/5
All odds provided by British bookmaker William Hill.
