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Birmingham v Bolton…hmph…Liverpool v Hull…pfft…Sunderland v Wolves…meh. I’m sorry, I just can’t get overly excited by this weekend’s polished and privileged Premiership action. I need something more raw, more innocent, more gonzo. I need…I need…Blackpool! And Peterborough! Yes! I need Scunthorpe and Doncaster and…and…Plymouth and Nottingham Forest!

Ok, before I break out into song, let’s set this down on paper, I’m talking about the Championship. No players on 100k a week, no European distractions, no autobiographies written by 21 year olds, no Didier Drogba, no Craig Bellamy, no Ashley Cole, no El-Hadji Diouf…just Joey Barton then.

The second tier of English football is one of the richest and most watched in Europe. The playoff final at Wembley may be the richest game in world sport and the division is bursting with quality, young, English talent. And Sola Ameobi. And Michael Chopra. And Neil Warnock. And Ian Holloway. See why I’m galvanised by all this?

West Brom v Crystal Palace

The Baggies are coming off a 5-0 mauling of Middlesbrough and find themselves in their accustomed position when they vacation at this level; top after 8 games, leading scorers and only held by fellow promotion hankerers Newcastle and Sheffield Utd. Roberto Di Matteo’s team have notched 26 goals in their 11 games this season, only shut out by Arsenal in the Carling Cup during the week, and have seen 11 different players hit the back of the net.

More was expected of their upcoming opponents Crystal Palace. Neil Warnock’s side have some of the most promising young players outside the top flight – Victor Moses and Sean Scannell in particular – in addition to a core group of players well accomplished at this level. The Eagles have been terribly inconsistent; victories over Ipswich and Derby have been tempered by deflating reversals, most notably 4-0 at home to Scunthorpe.

Surely West Brom have too much, flair, firepower and momentum to be unseated by the Londoners. Palace will surprise a few top teams this season but not on Saturday. 2-0 to West Brom.

QPR v Barnsley

Most of the attention will be on disgraced former F1 mogul Flavio Briatore, the QPR Chairman currently under review by the Football League. On the field, Rangers, at home, will be favourites having not lost in 9 straight home league games and have a 19-game unbeaten record against Barnsley at Loftus Road.

Barnsley have resurrected their season after appointing Mark Robins and knocked Burnley out of the Carling Cup in their most recent fixture. Robins was quick to snap up 3 new defenders in the last week, including Slovenian International Suad Filekovic but their immediate concerns may lay at the other end of the field; just 6 goals in 8 games, including 5 goalless outings, while QPR have one of the meanest defences in the division with just 5 goals conceded in 7 games.

Jim Magilton’s side should record their first home win this weekend. The Tykes are a tougher proposition than they were a couple of weeks ago but QPR have more in the attacking third and should be able to make possession pay. 1-0 QPR.

Ipswich v Newcastle

Two former Premiership teams and preseason promotion contenders collide at Portman road. Chris Hughton has lead the Magpies to 2nd in the table and has stabilised a club that appeared to be in disarray over the summer; 5 clean sheets and the league’s best defensive record have helped restore confidence to a group that, lest we forget, are stamped with Premiership experience and quality.
Ipswich, on the other hand, are close to dipping into disorder; another defeat would ensure their worst ever start to a Football League season. The Tractor boys have still yet to win this year, have conceded 20 goals in their 10 games in all competitions and trail Newcastle, and therefore an automatic promotion place, by 15 points already.
Both teams were formerly, famously, managed by Sir Bobby Robson, indeed he was the Geordie manager the last time these two teams met; a 2-2 draw in the Premiership 7 years ago. Another draw wouldn’t be ideal for either side but could be the most likely outcome on Saturday. 1-1 at Portman Road.

Nota Bene. If you do still crave some Premiership picks, then here you go: Wins for Sunderland, Chelsea, Spurs, Man Utd, Everton and Liverpool, draws at St. Andrews, Craven Cottage and Ewood Park.
And England to lose the Cricket.

Your 3 minute guide to the trivial, dainty, little plaything that is the Carling Cup. Come on, it’s not like any kid grew up dreaming of scoring the winner on a cold Tuesday in February is it? Third round ties on Tuesday and Wednesday evening.

The last five Carling Cup Winners: Chelsea, Man Utd, Chelsea, Tottenham, Man Utd.

Reasons to watch the Carling Cup this week: There’s very little else on.

The successful scorers for United in last year’s shoot out: Giggs, Tevez, Ronaldo and Anderson.

Reasons to watch the Carling Cup this week: There were 52 goals scored in the 16 third round ties in 2008/09 and half of them went to extra time.

Teams Burnley beat in the competition last season: Bury, Oldham, Fulham, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs.

Reasons to watch the Carling Cup this week: The Premiership can get soooo serious.

Premiership teams that lost in the third round 12 months ago: Fulham, Portsmouth, Everton, West Ham, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Newcastle.

Reasons to watch the Carling Cup this week: Just watch it already!

Arsenal v West Brom

Hard to tell who will feature for the Gunner’s but they will probably have a combined age of 30. Wilshere, Ramsey and the other school boys will look great, West Brom will play some delightful stuff but, ultimately, still get stuffed 3-0.

Leeds v Liverpool

Leeds lead League 1 (say that three times fast), beat Championship outfit Watford in the last round and have won every home game to date this season. Liverpool have lost to the eventual losing finalists in each of the last three years but won’t lose this one. A hard fought 2-1 victory for Benitez’ men.

Preston v Tottenham

Made the playoffs last term under the charge of Alan Irvine, a David Moyes disciple, and sit in 4th spot right now. Front pairing Jon Parkin and Neil Mellor (3 goals apiece so far) could give a depleted Spurs defence fits. Tottenham, finalists the last two seasons, thrashed Doncaster 5-1 in the last round but have still yet to keep a clean sheet this season. I’d like to see some upsets and Deepdale could be home to one of them. 2-1 Preston.

I’m usually a pretty even, relaxed kinda guy. Not much gets me too worked up but over the last few days I’ve become irritable, aggressive, tense. Something’s different. The wind is picking up, the air is cooling, the sky is ashening…there’s a storm brewing. It’s fight time.

You want action? Controversy? Combat? You got it this weekend.

Man Utd v Man City

There is a sizzling big-fight atmosphere surrounding this match. An already combustible derby game has been intensified by strong start from Mark Hughes’ team, the trading of below the belt barbs since pre-season and the transfer of Carlos Tevez. Unfortunately for City, former red Tevez is likely to miss the game, as will other forwards Robinho, Santa Cruz and the in-form but suspended Emmanuel Adebayor.

The deficiency of attacking options may leave Craig Bellamy as the lone outlet – Steven Ireland is also struggling for fitness – but, if City can hold back the United threat, then a pacy counterpunch of Wright-Phillips, Petrov and Bellamy could cause the home team problems. Unsurprisingly, considering the recent rise of the blue half of Manchester, United have dominated the latest contests, only losing once at Old Trafford in 12 games. Since that defeat, in February 2008 when Sven and Thaksin were masterminding the opposition, United have won 23 and lost just one of their 26 home games.

It would be a misnomer to suggest a defeat would define Manchester City’s title challenge or their ambition. City are missing key personnel, lack the experience or stability of United and travel to one of the most imposing stadiums in English football. But what if they win? They won’t. 2-0 United as City take a standing eight count.

Chelsea v Tottenham

The other stirring Sunday encounter features a pair of other rivals, also residing in the refined air near the summit of the table.

Spurs have already played two member of the established big-four; beating Liverpool on the opening day before being knocked against the ropes by United last weekend. Chelsea have successfully ducked and weaved their way through a fairly soft schedule but have proven to be resolute, winning three of their five games after conceding first, while the axis of Terry, Lampard and Drogba has been very effective to this point.

The form book bodes well for the West Londoners; Chelsea, winners of 10 straight league games and holding a 100% record under Carlo Ancelotti, are notoriously strong against their Spurs, particularly at home. Tottenham have not won at the Bridge since 1990 and have failed to win away to any member of the big-four since 1993 but were the last team to beat Chelsea in the Premiership. Again, it’s hard to bet against the home team. Chelsea hit Spurs in the breadbasket and win 1-0.

May weather v Marquez

Las Vegas hosts the return of Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather, last seen masterfully defeating Ricky Hatton 21 months ago, against Juan Manuel Marquez. The pair will fight at a catchweight of 144lbs, likely for the opportunity to battle the winner of the Manny Pacquiao v Miguel Cotto bout in the new year. Mayweather, a smooth, fast and confident technician, is unbeaten and naturally larger than his Mexican challenger but Marquez is as tenacious and enduring a fighter in the game currently and will test Mayweather’s heart and ribs, injured a few months ago and the reason the fight was postponed until this Saturday. Should be a good one. Mayweather on points.

Franklin v Belfort

The beautiful game and the sweet science not quite physical or violent enough? Then tune in to UFC 103 on Saturday night. The main event on the card features Rich ‘Ace’ Franklin – half Jim Carrey look-a-like, half Spartan warrior – facing off against Vitor Belfort – a reborn former phenom back in the UFC after a prolonged absence. Fighting at 195lbs, another catchweight bout, probably suits both men who, between them, have faced just about everybody that matters between 170-205lbs. Both are veterans of exciting, barnstorming fights and this would seem to be a match-of-the-year candidate in the making. Belfort to win by decision.

I think I’ve exhausted my boxing terminology for this year. Good fight, good night folks.

The 2009/10 Champions League is already 44 games old but, with no disrespect to the likes of Rhyl (Wales), Tre Fiori (San Marino), Levadia (Estonia) and Inter Turku (Finland) – champions all – life really begins in the forties for this competition.

The remaining 32 teams will play for the opportunity to earn an awful lot of money and, hopefully more importantly, a place in the final, to be played at the Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid on May 22^nd. Only a 100 games to go until then…

Chelsea v Porto Group D

The London club will look to continue their early-season form as they embark on their European campaign against seasoned opponents, and Portuguese champions, F.C Porto. Winners in 2004 under former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, Porto have sold headliners Lucho Gonzalez (€18 million to Marseille) and Lisandro Lopez (€24 million to Lyon) over the summer but have started the year well and have a strong young nucleus they hope to build around for the future. Look out for Colombian forward Falcao alongside Hulk, Lou Ferrigno lookalike and candidate for least likely Brazilian player ever.

Carlo Ancelotti has been appointed do what Avram Grant almost managed and what Guus Hiddink was controversially denied the opportunity to – win the Champions League. A few of his current squad have lifted the trophy previously, all of them except Belletti having done so with Porto, but the core group of players have only felt the wearing denial of defeat during their tenure with the Blues and every single member of their 2008 Final team and the side that were cruelly denied by Andres Iniesta’s injury time winner in last years Semi-Final are still with the club. Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa will sit out their first games of their suspensions as a result of their belligerent reaction to that defeat last May.

Chelsea have only been beaten once in 4 encounters with Porto in this competition and have amassed an 18-game unbeaten home record dating back 3 ½ years.  No reason to buck the form book here despite Porto’s undoubted pedigree; 3-1 to Chelsea

Besiktas v Man Utd Group B

United were in blistering form in disposing of Spurs at the weekend and will be favourites to win their first group game against Turkish champions Besiktas, in spite of only winning once on their previous four visits to Turkey.

Ferguson’s men were undefeated in 25 European ties before succumbing to an irresistible Barcelona side in Rome and, in the era A.R (After Ronaldo), United are determined to prove that they still belong at the very peak of the club game. Wayne Rooney has been at the heart of all things positive so far while the renewed pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Nemaja Vidic at the heart of the defence should provide stability after a rocky opening to the season.

Sir Alex has admitted that the group, which also contains national champions Wolfsburg from Germany and CSKA Moscow from Russia, is far from simple for his team and that the away ties are particularly troubling. Besiktas boast some dangerous attacking talent in Brazilian Bobo (no clown), Turkish striker Nihat and Argentinian playmaker and club captain Matias Delgado and, in their last home fixture against English opposition, beat Liverpool 2-1 (the forgotten precursor of their 8-0 humiliation at Anfield)

United have yet to hit top gear but the Turks have just 1 win in 5 so far this campaign, including a 3-0 defeat to rivals Galatasary on Saturday and the Red Devils can compound their misery by stealing all three points. 2-1 to Man U.

Liverpool v Debrecen, Group E

No team should be underestimated at this level and, no doubt, Rafa Benitez will make his players aware that the Hungarians have nothing to lose on Wednesday night and that Lyon and Fiorentina lurk in the distance. Indeed, Debrecen have dominated their domestic league for the last few years and will be keen to impress on their Champions League debut. No matter. Liverpool have not struggled for goals and will add to their tally, winning 3-0.

Standard Liege v Arsenal, Group H

The Belgians are a team on the rise, pushing Liverpool close in qualifying last year and then defeating Everton in the now defunct UEFA Cup while Arsenal are reeling from successive defeats in Manchester and a series of distracting on-field events. A special thanks to Messrs Adebayor and Eduardo for that.

What would have been a perfect time to host the Gunners has been soured though by injuries to influential players de Camargo, Dalmat and, in particular, £13 million rated captain Steven Defour, a target for numerous English clubs over the past couple of transfer windows. Standard should feature prolific Serbian striker Milan Jovanovic and current Belgian footballer of the year Axel Witsel but will surely be overpowered by Arsenal’s superior ability and experience on this stage. It won’t be a stress-free evening for Arsene Wenger et al but Arsenal should begin their procession through the group stage with a victory. 2-0 Arsenal.

As the nation crawls out from under the intoxicated haze of Wednesday night’s triumph at Wembley, the loud, shiny world of Premiership football is there to greet us.

‘But I’m tired…I don’t feel well…Do we have to?’ There’s no time for excuses folks, the footballing bandwagon waits for no man and the latest fad features two of the most compelling fixtures of the season to date.

Manchester City v Arsenal

Former Arsenal players, Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure, headline this match. The Togo forward has scored in every league game this year and Toure has helped keep the ball out of the City net but, in the form of their previous employers, face their biggest test so far. The International hangover has hit both teams with Andrei Arshavin and Carlos Tevez certainly out and Robinho struggling to participate, leaving the onus very much on  strikers Adebayor for City and Van Persie for Arsenal.

City were one of the strongest home teams last term and have begun the season in auspicious form, but if there were a team that could expose them and break their staunch defensive record, then it may well be the Gunners. Arsenal have played the most fluid football of the opening weeks and were unfortunate to suffer defeat on their previous trip to Manchester, only their second league reversal since last November and first in 14 games away from home.

Expect the Citizens to be solid but Arsenal should control possession and with Fabregas due to return, might just steal a march on one of their high-ranked rivals. 2-1 Arsenal.

Tottenham v Manchester United

While their cross-town and competitive adversaries meet close to home, Manchester United travel to London to take on Spurs and their current winning streak.

United have stumbled in the early going and have looked susceptible, particularly without Rio Ferdinand, but should have the England defender back in contention and have owned Tottenham in Premier League play; Spurs having won just 3 of their 34 encounters and none since 2001. Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe, the league’s joint top scorers and potential England front pairing, face off while Niko Kranjcar will be expected to make his debut.

Neither side appears impenetrable at the back, both may suffer from the lack of continuity as a result of the International break and meetings between these two have tended to equate to goals so…2-2? Sounds about right.

F1, Tennis, Cricket, Rugby Union, NFL

This weekend, as much as football may dominate the back pages, is a high mark in the sporting program with the Monza Grand Prix, US Open finals, 4^th ODI between England and Australia at Lords, the penultimate game of the Tri-Nations between New Zealand and South Africa and the opening week of the new Gridiron season.

‘What does it all mean?’ I hear you cry. Well, here’s my accumulator of tips: Kimi Raikonnen to break his duck at Ferrari’s ‘home’ GP (although the McLaren’s should be very competitive and Seb Vettel won at this track last year), Roger Federer and Serena Williams to win their 6^th and 4^th US Open singles titles respectively (outside bets being the comeback kid Clijsters and the impressive Juan Martin Del Potro), England to finally best the Aussies in the 50 over version of the game, the Kiwis to beat the Boks and keep the Tri-Nations trophy out of their reach and the….(deep breath)…Steelers, Falcons, Bengals, Vikings, Colts, Saints, Cowboys, Eagles, Ravens, Texans, Giants, 49ers, Seahawks, Packers, Patriots and Chargers to be victorious in week 1 of the NFL. Get all that?

Socrates, the classical Greek Philosopher rather than the creative Brazilian midfielder of the 1980’s, once said ‘I am confident that there truly is such a thing as living again, and that the living spring from the dead.’ Such words may have been little solace to England football fans in the wake of their nation’s EURO 2008 qualifying demise at the hands of Croatia two years ago, but the subsequent reincarnation of the team can be consummated by victory this Wednesday evening against the same adversary that caused England’s most recent sporting nadir.

Games between the pair have not been dull; Goalkeeping blunders by Paul Robinson and Scott Carson have effectively ended their International hopes since while Theo Walcott’s hat-trick in Zagreb was reminiscent of Michael Owen’s defining trio against Germany when Sven, England’s first foreign manager, was considered a gifted savant. Just like McClaren’s final game, Wembley only needs to host a draw for England to consider the ‘job done’ but Capello’s charges have won all seven of their qualifying fixtures to date and will be keen to finish with a perfect record in advance of next year’s finals.

The Croats, second in the table, can still catch the English but will be more concerned with retaining a playoff spot as Ukraine lurk menacingly behind them. Their recent tournament record is actually superior to their hosts this week, having qualified for every World Cup in which they have been eligible and finishing third at France 98’. Furthermore, it was only last year that Bilic’s team were considered one of the favourites for the European Championships and they are still ranked no.9 in the World by FIFA.

The Jermain Defoe bandwagon gathers pace but the impish Spurs forward will likely continue from the bench with the front pairing of Emile Heskey, the footballing equivalent of an NBA center and a pivot for the team’s attacking intent, and soon-to-be father Wayne Rooney. Croatia boast Arsenal striker and alleged thespian Eduardo as well as talented veterans Ivica Olic and Danijel Pranjic of Bayern, Darijo Srna of Shakhtar and Josip Simunic of Hoffenheim (the mathematically challenged defender that required three yellow cards to be sent off by Graham Poll in the last World Cup). Neither team is at full strength; England are without defensive stalwart Rio Ferdiand as well as long term absentees Theo Walcott, Joe Cole and Stewart Downing. Croatia counter with the loss of Spurs pair Vedran Corluka through suspension and influential Luka Modric due to injury. Midfielders Niko Kranjcar and Ivan Rakitic, their goalscorer in Saturday’s victory over Belarus, will lend the team’s artistry and drive in Modric’s absence.

England should win. At home, on the cusp of qualification and under the spell of Capello’s wizardry, they should be too strong for Croatia. Wayne Rooney can’t be as profligate as he was against Slovenia and scores as England win 2-1. Hopefully.

What? There’s other fixtures this week? Well, if you say so….

Portugal travel to Hungary in a do-or-die game, Italy host Bulgaria with a chance to effectively secure qualification and Serbia face France with the Serbs in line to make the French get to South Africa the hard way. No, not in the back of a Volkswagen but via the lottery of the playoffs.

For the home nations, Scotland need to steal a point from the Dutch at Hampden Park to finish second in the group and will have to do so without maverick scorer James McFadden. Holland have already qualified and have little to play for but boast players of the undoubted calibre of Robben, Sneijder, Huntelaar, Van der Vaart and Van Persie. Not a bad front five that and I havn’t even found space for Dirk Kuyt yet. The Scots could still lose and find their way into the playoffs and, by my reckoning, will have to hope that Macedonia and Norway nullify each other in the cardinal fixture in Group 9 that night. 3-0 to the Dutch.

Northern Ireland, who just continue to pull out results in Group 3, play leaders Slovakia in one of their biggest games in recent memory. A home win and the Irish, incredibly, go top of the group after starting their campaign with only one point from the first three games. In the most congested of assemblies, three points could ensure at least second spot in the final standings and Northern Ireland have already beaten Poland and Slovenia at home this year. Such a result wouldn’t surprise me but a draw may be more likely. Slovakia are a youthful and talented side, headlined by Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel, Lille’s Robert Vittek and, in particular, Napoli’s Marek Hamsik. 1-1 at Windsor Park on Wednesday night.

It’s almost as if the goons at FIFA knew the footballing calendar would spurt out the bothersome distraction of World Cup Qualifying fixtures in light of the raging winds of disciplinary judgements handed out this week to English clubs. One former Milan coach has his hands tied at Stamford Bridge but another has the freedom of Wembley stadium to experiment and prepare.

England v Slovenia

England play Croatia in midweek with a victory securing them a place at the World Cup in South Africa next summer. The fodder for their tactical and personnel research comes in the form of Slovenia, themselves vying for a spot at the big show with Poland their opponents on Wednesday night. Friendlies are notoriously difficult to predict due to their commonly disheartening combination of substitutions and player apathy alleviating any real competitiveness from the fixture. But this isn’t Eriksson or McClaren’s team anymore and under Capello England have been strong at home and have suffered defeat only in France and Spain.

The biggest threat to the national team’s positive preparation will likely come in the form of forward Millivoje Novakovic, a regular scorer since his debut three years ago, Robert Koren, of West Brom ‘fame’ and maybe also Rene Krhin, a young, uncapped playmaker plying his trade for Inter Milan. England are struggling for bodies at centre-half and have a decision to make in goal with David James out of the squad; the opportunity is there for Robert Green to become the side’s no.1 for the foreseeable future.

England should not be to heavily troubled by a side over 40 places below them in the FIFA rankings and beat neighbours and group 3 rivals Slovakia 4-0 back in March. England to cruise to a 2-0 win.

Scotland v Macedonia

In the slightly more meaningful division of the weekend’s games, Scotland host upstarts Macedonia in a crucial group 9 fixture that will probably determine whether they follow the current trend of Scottish football teams (despairingly bad and forced to whine about referees to divert attention from it) or get the chance to get beaten in the playoffs for World Cup in a couple of months. Needless to say, I’m not buying what George Burley is selling.

The Scots have 7 points from 6 games, one more than Norway and behind Macedonia on goal difference with the pair of adversaries due to meet in the final round of games on Wednesday. Scotland play the Dutch at Hampden Park that night. See, not a lot to like there.

In reality it seems Burley’s boys will have to beat Macedonia to have a chance of securing second place but, with goals hard to come by (just 4 so far in their 6 games) and a defeat in the first fixture between the two last year, it’s hard to be overly optimistic. Scotland’s core players, the likes of James McFadden, Darren Fletcher and the returning David Weir, will have to shoulder the responsibility and lift the crowd but in this depreciating pundit’s opinion, a disappointing 1-1 draw barely keeps their hopes slimly swimming above water for a few days.

By they way, has there been a world-class player in the Scottish ranks since the eighties?

Poland v Northern Ireland

Although Ireland are also in action on Saturday, it’s their northern counterparts that take the limelight this weekend. Successive victories over San Marino, Poland and Slovenia this year have propelled Nigel Worthington’s team to second in their group and within touching distance of their first finals since 1986.

Northern Ireland have to travel to Poland this weekend and, with games against Slovakia and the Czech Republic looming, need a good result to have any chance of automatic qualification. The Irish were the better team when they beat Poland at Windsor Park but the Poles are extremely tough at home (unbeaten in a competitive fixture sine 2006, Northern Ireland have only beaten Liechtenstein and San Marino away from Windsor Park in that same period) and will be favourites.

David Healy, so often the hero, can now look to team mates Kyle Lafferty and Martin Paterson for support however it’s the defence that will need to be the key performers if they are to resist a prolific Polish attack (they scored 10 in their last qualifier) and keep the African dream alive. Northern Ireland to be spirited but Poland to edge it 1-0.

The summer is sorrowfully drawing to a  close and once more it does so without a British men’s singles champion at Wimbledon. The two weeks at SW19 are the very essence of the English sporting calendar courtesy of the swarming and patriotic support, the tradition and heritage of the tournament, the meteorological elements and the national paucity of champions.

Simply put, we have not had  a champion to cheer since the open era began, since ‘the good old days’ were just ‘the days’ and since Billie Jean King was straight.

The man most likely to alter this streak of foreign domination is Andy Murray. Even your grandmother knows that. What she might not know is that grass is not the Scotsman’s strongest surface and that the upcoming U.S Open, starting this week in New York, may well hold his best chance of major success.

Murray was a finalist last year, beating Rafa Nadal and Juan Martin del Potro along the way, but was well beaten in the final by the incomparable Roger Federer. This year has been even better for the 22-year old and he has played as well as anybody in 2009, rack-et-ing up 5 titles, a 53-8 record over the year and the highest position for any Brit in the ATP rankings.

Tonight he plays prodigious but inconsistent youngster Ernests Gulbis. The Latvian can be a world-beater on his day but has not beaten Murray in three attempts and comes into the tournament in poor form. Murray wins this one in straight sets for my money but, unfortunately for him and his rather scary looking mother, he will likely have to overcome big serving Ivo Karlovic, dangerous Del Potro and a returning Rafael Nadal to make the final again.

Nadal was unable to defend his Wimbledon crown due to injury and now finds himself in the ignominy of third place in the rankings. The four-time French Open champ was beaten at the event this year and hasn’t won a title since April, including defeats to Del Potro and Djokovic since recovering from tendonitis in both knees. What Nadal didn’t need in his quest to rebound and win the only Slam that has eluded him was an opening round tie against arguably the most fearsome wildcard in the draw in Richard Gasquet. Apologies to Marat Safin here, playing his last Slam before retirement.

Gasquet, himself returning to the big time after missing a few months (although in slightly more bizarre circumstances, something to do with cocaine and a woman…those were the days…) is precociously talented but has disappointed to this point in his career. Rafa should win in 3 or 4 sets and has a soft draw until a potential meeting with Murray in the semis.

The other side of the draw is already under way and defending champion and all-around superhero Roger Federer made quick work of young American Devin Britton. Thanks for coming kid.  In the second round he plays German right-hander Simon Greul and, according to my crystal ball, wins. Comfortably. And quickly.

Further down the road, Federer may have to deal with Novak Djokovic or the man he beat in his most recent epic Wimbledon final, Andy Roddick. A-Rod was the last American to win at Flushing Meadows and will be the home favourite but, sadly for one of the more valiant and likeable characters in the game, that Swiss fella is almost certainly the furthest thing he’ll be able to see on the horizon.

The first week of the tournament should pass with all the main protagonists still on stage but as soon as the main players begin to collide, expect drama worthy of theatre. The final act? Murray has to wait another year as Federer out duels either Del Potro or Nadal – and wins his 6^th straight U.S Open.