Morcambe F.C. v. Accrington Stanley F.C. (Saturday)
With most European leagues on their Winter Break, we had to reach all the way down to League Two in order to find our first proper derby, the Lancashire Derby. The Shrimps of Morecambe need a win- they are currently in seventh place and in the promotion playoffs. They’ve won four of their last five matches (the other was a draw), so they are looking good for a win. Accrington are a few places further back in eleventh, but a win for them and they’ll at least be within shouting distance of the promotion playoffs and a chance to move into League One for the first time in their history. Fun Fact: One of Morcambe’s players is a midfielder from Scotland. His name? Emmanuel Ugochukwu Ezenwa Panther. He scores 60% of the time, every time.
West Ham United F.C. v. Portsmouth F.C. (Saturday)
How bad are things for both of these teams? There’s a pretty good chance that neither team will move out of the relegation zone even if they win. They might not even catch 18th place Bolton- who, in any case, have two games in hand over both Pompey and the Hammers. Of the two teams, it’s actually Portsmouth who are playing the better football as of late- ask Rafa Benitez… West Ham’s all-time record signing was made last January. His name is Savio Nsereko, and he’s a Ugandan international. He played in ten matches before being sold to Fiorentina. Oops. Fun Fact: I have a commemorative t-shirt from Portsmouth’s 2008 F.A. Cup win. Fun Fact 2: West Ham coach Gianfranco Zola’s hopping-backheel-volley against Norwich is a good a goal as you will ever see.
Ross County F.C. v. Raith Rovers F.C. (Saturday)
The Staggies are all alone in second place and a win will keep them there no matter what happens in any other First Division matches this weekend. A win is especially important because due to their match being snowed-out last weekend, third place Queen of the South (who only trail County by a point) now have a game in hand. Raith, currently in seventh place, are probably the lowest placed team that doesn’t have to worry about relegation this season as they are eight points clear of Greenock Morton (last place above the relegation zone) and eleven points ahead of Ayr United who are currently in the relegation playoff spot. I won’t even bother you with how far ahead they are of last place and woeful Airdrie United. Fun Fact: The County club shop will be closed on Christmas Day.
Southend United F.C. v. Colchester United F.C. (Saturday)
League One football, anyone? That’s right, it’s the Essex Derby. The honors are quite even in this rivalry (Southend has done a bit better)- it’s been one of the more competitive derbies in England since it began in 1950. Colchester probably aren’t going to catch Charlton or Leeds for one of the automatic playoff spots, but a win would really solidify their hold on one of the league’s four playoff promotion spots. Southend, well, barring a collapse in the second half of the season, they’re going to be in League One again next year- although they have lost four of their last five matches, so… Fun Fact: Colchester United’s Kemal Izzet is the younger brother of former Leicester City standout and London-born Turkish international Muzzy Izzet.
Hibernian F.C. v. Rangers F.C. (Sunday)
Once again, the inclusion of a member of the Old Firm in the Weekend Preview can only mean bad news- for the Old Firm…I hope. Here’s the situation: Hibernian trail second-place Celtic by one point and first place Rangers by five points. So, should the Hibees beat Rangers and Celtic lose to Hamilton (What!? It could happen!), Hibs could leapfrog Celtic for second place and trail Rangers by only two points. Got it? Good. Oh, and it looks like one Damarcus Lamont Beasley is back to not just playing, but scoring goals for Rangers- he has two in his last two matches. Fun Fact: Hibernians roster currently includes former Ross County midfielder John Rankin. Fun Fact 2: John Rankin was born in Bellshill. A certain ATD writer’s grandmother was born there too!
Arsenal F.C. v. Aston Villa F.C. (Sunday)
If you haven’t been paying attention, this match has been growing in importance over the past few weeks. The Gunners have a game in hand over Villa, but the teams are tied on points and Villa have not only been earning points more consistently as of late, but, in this writer’s opinion, they’ve looked better doing it. Both teams will have the added motivation of knowing that if Manchester United does anything but win this weekend, they could move past them into second place. Fun Fact: Gabby Agbonlahor could have chosen to play for Scotland. I’m not sure that’s a “fact” per se, it might just be bitterness on my part. Fun Fact 2: If I were Fabio Capello my team sheet would start with Agbonlahor and Milner, and I’d hire an assistand just to remind me not to waste another cap on Emile Heskey.
