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Sometimes even the most definitive of results fail to answer the important questions. The death of Robert Enke, the German International goalkeeper that committed suicide on Tuesday, has posed more questions amongst the footballing community than it answered. The temptation here would be to trivialise the passing of a man in order to make the following set of fixtures related and tie up this weeks column in a neat and complete literary manner; I’ll pass thanks.

As a society, we are fairly ignorant to the dangers of depression, as suffered by Enke. The common consideration is that depression is a commonplace and short-term complaint that riddles all our lives when things aren’t going our way, or a soft, modern mask to hide behind when we’re demotivated. There may be some truth in that. People will always view there personal issues as the grandest, most severe of disorders. And why wouldn’t they? We are all trapped in our own realm of perspective and understanding. Indeed, in Darwinist terms, a selfish, narcissistic and conceited view of ourselves has probably got us this far as a species but now, in the contemporary world that is over-stocked with erudite media on just about every subject, it appears that this insularity is more of a fallibility of humanity than a strength.

Clinical depression, a medical moniker that depicts a life devoid of joy in every sense and can incorporate such disorders as insomnia and psychosis, is a less accepted term. In the United States, 3.4% of people diagnosed with clinical depression commit suicide.

It can be difficult for us to believe that a professional footballer, a man with fame and fortune and the prospect of playing in a World Cup in a few months – a dream of any football fan – could want to end his own life. What problems does he have? Seriously? The worst day in his life must be better than the best of mine right? Well, that’s not how the brain works. Our problems are all relative to our own experiences – my best day probably felt about as fantastic as yours, my worst just as painful – and, when under the influence of the constant cloud of depression, hope, the bastion of human emotions, can seem forever lost, irrespective of the comforts of everyday life.

Few people in this country may have heard of Robert Enke before his death. Few might remember more than the fact that he jumped in front of a train but, just as with the revelations from Andre Agassi over the past weeks, his loss reveals a much mismanaged and obscured danger within sport and society at large

Robert Enke (1977 -2009) played for, amongst others, Barcelona, Benfica, Fenerbahce and Hannover 96. He was capped 8 times for his country and was part of the German side that lost in the EURO 2008 Final.

Germany’s friendly against Chile this weekend has been cancelled but the weekend is stocked with other sporting highlights:

Football: England v Brazil

The real theatre takes place thousands of miles from Qatar, where a depleted England side face the eternal Champions-in-waiting Brazil. In Greece, Portugal, Russia and Ireland, 8 teams begin to vie for 4 remaining European qualifying spots at next summer’s World Cup with the culmination of almost 18 months of games coming in Ukraine, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Slovenia and France on Wednesday night.

As for the Three Lions, Frank Lampard is the latest member of the original squad to pull out, joining regulars Ferdinand, Gerrard, Ashley Cole, Emile Heskey and David Beckham on the sidelines. Brazil, the favourites for the horizon’s largest spectacle, have seen a couple of withdrawals themselves but still boast as formidable an attacking team as there is in world football. Kaka, Robinho, Luis Fabiano….ring any bells? No Pato but Hulk, the formidable Porto forward, is in line for his first cap.

If there were any doubts as to the value of friendlies, a match-up against arguably the world’s best in foreign climes can only be a positive experience, especially in light of the confidence-building victory over Argentina in Geneva ahead of the 2006 tournament. My money’s on Brazil this time, when it matters not. 2-1.

Rugby Union: England v Argentina

England host the Pumas, twice winners in their last three trips to Twickenham and 3^rd place finishers at the 2007 World Cup, in their penultimate International – they face the Kiwis next weekend – before the start of the 2010 Six nations in February. England, directed by Martin Johnson, have not won the Northern Hemisphere’s premier tournament since 2003 – their longest drought since winning the competition in 1991 after a barren run during the 1980’s – and have looked every part their no. 8 World Ranking in recent fixtures.

Against Australia, a strong defensive performance and stand-out games from Lewis Moody and the returning Jonny Wilkinson couldn’t conceal the lack of ingenuity and creativity from the former World Champions.

The response? Four changes: The marauding no. 8 James Haskell, 35-year old Duncan Bell, Dylan Hartley and Paul Hodgson come in to the side. England’s scrum, without several of it’s integral players, will face a tough challenge against one of the World’s best. They might lose that battle but they win the war, 24-17.

Boxing: Manny Pacquiao v Miguel Cotto

With the fabulous Floyd Mayweather still a large and looming prospect in the pound-for-pound argument, the winner of the winter’s marquee fight will still have to wait for a celebrated confirmation of their ’undisputed’ status. Cotto, the Puerto Rican underdog with his WBO Welterweight title on the line, would struggle to convince in the role of pound-for-pound king; victories over the dangerous Joshua Clottey, the speedy Michael Jennings and modern masters Zab Judah and Shane Mosley, all at Welterweight, have revealed his chin, drive, endurance and persistent power. However, his sole defeat, at the hands of the since disgraced Antonio Margarito, along with his gruelling points win over Clottey, have raised doubts about his pace, consistency and elite status.

Pacquiao, the most exciting and likeable fighter on the planet, can cement his place as the interim p4p champ with a win, another in a succession of fine results following victories over Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Marquez, Oscar de la Hoya and, most recently, Ricky Hatton. He is quicker, more dynamic and in better form than his opponent, and should survive his latest test this Saturday night. Pacquiao to win on points, probably by 3 or 4 rounds, and set up a fight with Mayweather in May or June next year.

So it’s late. I’m watching High Fidelity. You know, the John Cusack ‘finding yourself’ adaptation of Nick Hornby’s novel that is probably most notable for Jack Black’s devilishly demonic dancing. It’s good. You’ve seen it but probably don’t remember it or read it and smile at the reference.

Anyway, anyway, anyway…the story revolves around, well, music, but more importantly the perspective of the past, future and present, or as we mortals tend to call it, life. The uncertainties, the insecurities, the mistakes and the moments that fill our weeks, months and years are acutely displayed to the extent that it strikes a chord in the viewer. But this isn’t a movie review. No. Well, it kinda is so far but, like most things in my life, it got me thinking about sport. Sad but true. It’s a curse really.

So let’s complete this rather rambling segue; life is only as good as the last few seconds we have had the pleasure or displeasure of experiencing. Fact. When its bad, all the great occasions that have littered our lives are painful reminders of better days. When it’s good, the most regrettable nadirs of our existence are forgotten or even trivialised. One minute we feel like we are worthless, the next, we are rock stars. Oh the fragility of humanity…

So that’s the psychoanalysis, here’s the basic sports translation…what have you done for me lately?

The marriage of the 24/7 media and the corporate nature of modern, professional sports means that the spotlight is so aggressive, so fierce, so blinding that a individual or team can be horrific or heroic all in the space of a single game. Indeed, one bad performance can render the portfolio of prior work virtually worthless – ask the renaissance man himself David Beckham, or current pariah Rio Ferdinand, just don’t ask Michael Owen, he must be pretty sick of it right now.

And the next few days will provide a few more prime examples of the theory that has managers working part-time and lawyers working over-time. Don’t believe me? Read on dear viewer. Come on. If you got past ‘John Cusack’ you can make it to the finish.

In honour of High Fidelity, which is winding to a close, the top 5 sportsmen with something to prove this weekend: David Haye (more to come on that), Joey Porter (It’s an NFL thing), James Hook (starting at full back as the Welsh try to beat New Zealand for the first time in 56 years), Manuel Pellegrino (If Real lose to cross-town rivals Atletico he could be out of a job) and, naturally, Rafa Benitez.

The fixtures:

David Haye v Nikolay Valuev

The former Cruiserweight, current loquacious and aspiring future Heavyweight champion of the world – or ‘David’ – meets the former circus attraction, current WBA Heavyweight title holder and aspiring actor (seriously) – or ‘Goliath’ – in Germany on Saturday night with Haye trying to become the first British heavyweight champ since Lennox Lewis retired in 2003.

Standing in his way, and while doing so probably blocking out the sun, is the 7 foot tall, 22 stone leviathan that makes anyone called ‘big’ John look much more like ‘little’ John. The Russian giant has only ever lost once, a close points defeat to Ruslan Chagaev in 2007, but looked susceptible in beating the 46-year old unretiree Evander Holyfield in Zurich in his last fight.

Haye, a venerable KO specialist, enters the bout as the favourite and has talked a good fight to this point. He has heavy hands but has questionable stamina, can be overaggressive and has been floored a number of times in his career. His opponent – who really should have his name in capitals or something to explain how big he is…VALUEV…there we go – has never been on the floor.

It should be close, it should be brief and there should be a new champion come the final bell. Haye to win by KO in round 4.

Chelsea v Man Utd

United have suffered a dearth of positive results at the home of their main foes over the last couple of years and come into this game 2 points adrift of their Chelsea and with apparent defensive frailties. The Blues have been unstoppable at the Bridge, the class of a seemingly equalized division – not even Portsmouth are as bad as we first thought and the top-4 is as instable as it has been in almost 5 years – and not lost to United at home since 2002. They’ve won every home game to date under Ancelloti while conceding just one goal, in their opening game of the year.

The key to the match? The battle between Didier Drogba and Nemanja Vidic. Vidic has not been the same player since being torched by Fernando Torres at Old Trafford last term, is without mainstay partner Rio Ferdinand and faces arguably the most in-form, dangerous forward in Europe right now.

I like Drogba to win that battle and lead Chelsea to victory. 2-1.

Liverpool v Birmingham

While watching Liverpool’s disheartening and probably disastrous draw in France on Wednesday night, it became clear that Liverpool are three things; A. still a very good team, B. a side devoid of luck and C. the contemporary embodiment of the ‘what have you done for me lately’ culture. Rafa has lead the Reds to 2 Champions League finals (the same as United and one more than Chelsea and Arsenal during the decade), 2^nd place in the Premiership (and only Chelsea and United have won the league during the Spaniard’s tenure) and back into realm of significance of elite world football.

In sport, as in life, a memory is a double edged sword. For now, for this team, a look back at the past should quell the doubters. It wont of course, but it should.November

Liverpool win and, for now, the head-on collision of ‘crisis’ talk in averted. 3-1.

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.