Sport & Fitness

1 Arsenal v West Ham United
Saturday, Barclays Premiership
This is Arsenal’s first home game in a month. With Thierry Henry crocked, the only likely goalscorer is Emmanuel Adebayor, as Julio Baptista and Jeremie Aliadiere have looked largely ineffective and the midfield simply isn’t chipping in. While the Gunners chase a Champions League spot in the last season before new UEFA boss Michel Platini offers it to whoever tops the Papal Liga in San Marino, West Ham are fighting for Premiership survival. Carlos Tevez’s luck finally turned with the ‘not over the line’ incident at Blackburn and his powerful bursts into the penalty box and dead-ball skills will trouble Arsenal’s back line. As for the West Ham defence, Anton Ferdinand still goes AWOL too often while keeper Robert Green has had his share of dodgy moments. Hammers fans will take comfort from being the last away team to triumph at Highbury; a vital win at the Emirates, though, looks unlikely. Al Fresco
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2. Charlton Athletic v Reading
Monday, Barclays Premiership
In many ways Reading are this season’s Charlton – an unglamorous squad whose work ethic has brought some very glamorous results (6-0 v West Ham) and a league position that offers the tantalising possibility of European football. Charlton, on the other hand, have had a very un-Charltonlike season, with big- money signings struggling to make their mark. Until, that is, Alan Pardew arrived as manager, galvanising the squad and producing two things that haven’t been seen at the Valley for a fair few years – some end-of-season form and a fervent atmosphere. Home supporters will be hoping that Reading continue their impression of the Addicks and deliver the Easter slump that characterised so many of their campaigns. Players like Leroy Lita and Steve Sidwell will always pose a threat but Charlton have fire in their bellies, the fans have songs in their hearts and Alan Pardew has a full squad of players desperate to stave off relegation. Alex Hammond

3 Queens Park Rangers v Luton Town
Monday, Coca-Cola Championship
‘On our day, we believe we are capable of living with the best teams in this division,’ says Rangers defender Marcus Bignot. Problem is, there just haven’t been enough of those days in W12. QPR manager John Gregory may have started to learn a few lessons with Lee Cook back in midfield (enjoy him while you can, Rangers fans) but the threat of relegation still hangs heavy – despite the return to fitness of Dexter Blackstock and Martin Rowlands. Luton, however, are in an even deeper mess. The board finally tired of Mike Newell shooting his mouth off, in particular his protests that he never saw any of the money from the sale of four decent players. Resisting calls for David Pleat to try and make it third time lucky at Kenilworth Road, ex-Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell got the call. Lose here, though, and the Hatters look like goners. Andrew Shields

4 Brentford v Cheltenham Town
Saturday, Coca-Cola League 1
After losing to fellow strugglers Rotherham and securing only one point against Oldham despite being 2-0 up with four minutes left, Brentford are going down quicker than a Norwegian skier on the underground. This match offers some salvation, so it’s appropriate that it takes place at Easter as the Bees are currently dead and buried. The old cliché ‘mathematically possible’ will be trotted out but check the fingernails of whoever says it for barrel splinters. As their tricky run-in continues, ‘Down Down’ by Status Quo is more appropriate for the PA than the Stone Roses’ ‘I Am The Resurrection’, let alone the theme tune to ‘The Great Escape’. The likelihood of Brentford battling in the basement next season alongside the capital’s other Bees is even more depressing when watching Steve Coppell, Sam Sodje, Stephen Hunt, Ibrahima Sonko, DJ Campbell and Jay Tabb – all formerly of Griffin Park – prospering elsewhere. Richard Duffy

5 Dagenham & Redbridge v Aldershot Town
Saturday, Nationwide Conference
The Daggers lost an eight-point lead at the top of the Conference in 2002, and were beaten by a golden goal in the play-off final a year later. This time, though, promotion to the Football League seems assured and they’ve done it with little money in a league that has its share of fat-walleted chairmen. Manager John Still has never stood in the way of players seeking to move up a level, and saw centre-back Shane Blackett and striker Craig Mackail-Smith move to Peterborough in January. However, these two will be back at Victoria Road with their new club next season since Dagenham & Redbridge have not faltered – and Sam Sloma’s last-minute equaliser to earn a 2-2 draw at Oxford United, their only challengers for the title, typified the team’s endeavour. Still knows how to spot talent, too. Paul Benson was playing for White Ensign in the Essex Olympian League two years ago; now he’s the Conference’s top scorer. Aldershot could be the guests at the Daggers’ overdue promotion party. Andrew Shields