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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.

No it’s not a beautiful dream, football is officially back on our screens and in our hearts with the first meeting between the top four in England, the dawn of the new La Liga season, the draw for the Champions League group stage and even the odd fixture in the League Cup to salivate over.

Few fixtures this weekend will be as anticipated as Real Madrid’s ribbon-cutting episode against Deportivo La Coruna. Recession proof Real made Manchester City look frugal over the summer with the exorbitant additions of Ronaldo, Alonso, Kaka and Benzema and will be looking for instant returns on their investments, both in terms of style and substance. The reaction to watching rivals Barca win the treble last year – and with some swagger – has seen a high turnover of personnel and the appointment of a new coach, Manuel Pellegrini. The Chilean will be charged with blending the superstars, managing a few ego’s and developing a defensive resilience that has long been lacking.

As for Depor, as if anyone beyond La Coruna will be paying any attention, they will be looking to build on a 7^th place finish last year and still boast a few veterans of their glory days at the start of the decade.

Anything but a dominant victory for Real will be seen as a disappointment but, while they have been impressive during the preseason, opening day fixtures are notoriously unpredictable and the pressure at the Santiago Bernabeu will be oppressive. Ronaldo scores and Madrid celebrate a 2-1 victory.

Further west, the San Siro will be ablaze with flares and local discord as Internazionale duel A.C Milan. The Derby games finished with a win for each team last term but it was Inter, under Jose Mourinho, that won the Scudetto and are favourites to do so again this season. Their supremacy over their cross-town opponents appeared as wide as Ronaldinho’s waistline a few weeks ago however, as the Brazilian has laid off the carbs and restored his form, so the gap has shrunk and this Saturday’s game is a highly anticipated harbinger for the title race ahead. Inter come into the game on the back of a limp draw at home to newly promoted Bari while Milan, despite a desperate succession of friendly results, performed well in beating upstart Siena last week and in Ronaldinho’s compatriot Alexandre Pato, have one of the most gifted young players on the planet.

Both teams will likely feature former Real Madrid and current Dutch Internationals; Klaas-Jan Huntelaar for the Rossoneri and newly acquired Wesley Sneijder for Inter.

In what should be a good advert for Italian football, returning to a British audience thanks to the moguls of second choice soccer, ESPN, Milan will likely make the early running but Inter have the organisation and tactical awareness to at least salvage a draw. 1-1 in the Derby della Madonnina.

Although the main course and dessert to Saturday’s action are distinctly European, the starter is a full English affair as Arsenal and Manchester United will battle at Old Trafford. The Gunners have been in good form to open up the campaign but will still be haunted by their Champions League defeats to United last season and have been distant onlookers to their adversaries most recent trilogy of Premiership trophies.

In spite of their domestic monopoly, Ferguson’s charges have only recorded one victory over the Londoners in the last six league fixtures and cannot call upon their mercurial former no. 7, a consistent scorer versus Arsenal over the years. New no.7 Michael Owen will not be a direct replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo but, along with Berbatov and Rooney, will need to shoulder some of the goalscoring weight. All three were on target in their last outing against Wigan.

Both teams will likely be without key players even if Cesc Fabregas overcomes his hamstring injury but, although the likes of Rosicky, Walcott and Nasri will limit Wenger’s attacking options, it is the Red Devils that may be more affected as Rio Ferdinand will definitely miss the tie and both Jonny Evans and Wes Brown are battling for fitness.

Arsenal’s scorelines have been slightly flattering to this point and a trip to the Theatre of Dreams will test their resolve, their squad depth and likely their fan’s optimism. United to end the Gunner’s winning streak 1-0.

With the footie season about to kick off the bookies have stepped to the plate and are offering some great deals. Will hill, tote sport and sporting bet have all increased their free bet offers making this a great time to have a pre-season cheeky punt on the 2009/2010 football season. And with the 2010 world cup looming at the end of the season this is gonna be a great year not just for sports fans but for punters too looking to get on some great deals.