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Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid:

• Ronaldo has only scored one hat-trick against Atletico.
• He has scored the first goal three times.
• Atletico have won six times since Simone took over, including four last season.

Sevilla v Barcelona:

• Barcelona are missing Iniesta, Messi and Bravo. Sevilla are missing Llorente, Vitolo and Pareja. 
• There has been 24 goals in the last four meeting with Neymar, Banega and Gameiro all getting two.
• Barcelona have scored five goals twice in the last four games.

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Almost every stat for the Spanish champions is down on last season.

Out of the Cup earlier, fewer points than at this stage a year ago, fewer goals, more goals conceded, more defeats, worse disciplinary record.

One thing, however, is shiningly better.

Their record in the Spanish capital ‘derbi’.

Last term they played Real Madrid five times, winning once, losing three and drawing the final domestic encounter 2-2 having led 2-1 at home in a typically volcanic Calderón meeting.

Which is where battle resumes on Saturday afternoon – this time with the figures drastically in favour of Diego Simeone’s troops.

These two have squared off five times this season [with another in the Champions League not yet out of the question] but the Spanish champions have the Indian sign over ‘the Vikings’.

Since August Atlético have beaten the European champions:

• in the league at the Bernabéu
• at the Calderón in the Spanish Supercup
• again at home in the Copa Del Rey while eliminating Carlo Ancelotti’s Spanish Cup holders.

The two further draws, 1-1 and 2-2, mean that since losing that most dramatic Champions League final last May, Atleti are undefeated in three competitions and five matches against their bitter enemies.

The five games have yielded 12 goals with Madrid the only ones who have [twice] drawn a blank.

Not since January 2008 have Atleti failed to score at home in the league against Los Blancos –

How will it go?

Even though they can most certainly win, even though ‘form goes out of the window in a derby’ Madrid don’t quite look in shape.

No Pepe, no Modric, no James, no Ramos, no Marcelo.

Bale anxious in front of goal, Ronaldo just back from a two game suspension and noticeably short on top form and goals.

Since mid-December in three different competitions he’s scored just four times in eight matches.

Prior to that he’d hit 32 in 22 matches across Liga, Supercopas and Champions League.

A big dip.

But the boy likes a show.

On form they can take a draw or a win – if Ronaldo’s not at the races then Madrid are cooked.

• Ronaldo has 15 goals in 19 games against Atleti – seven of which came at the Calderón.

But, with half an eye on how temperamentally he played in getting sent-off and banned at Córdoba recently, old Crissy-boy also has seven yellows and a red in those 19 derbis.

Diego Simeone has his work cut out, as do you to pick a scorer.

Six of his players, Tiago, Raúl García, Fernando Torres, Arda Turan, José Giménez and Mario Mandzukic, have a goal against Los Blancos this season.

He’s going to start with Torres on the bench, Mandzukic and Griezmann up front ? Harsh on El Niño from El Cholo?

The Frenchman hasn’t hit the net against Madrid this season but is otherwise scoring for fun. Work out whether Simeone’s choice is going to be good or bad and you’ve a better chance of winning money.

I’ve a narrow feeling for both teams to score, no Ramos no Pepe, what price Godín or Miranda from a set play? Score draw anyone?

Graham’s Bet: Both teams to score and match to finish as a draw at 16/5

Getafe v Sevilla Sunday 4pm

If you think this is precisely the kind of fixture for which Quique Sanchez Flores was brought back to win then you’re gonna LOVE this stat.

The two sides have met at this stadium in Madrid ten times in the Primera Division and Sevilla have only won once. Six years ago.

Sevilla won the Cup Final the two contested [2007]. Sevilla won the Cup Final when Quique was the Atletico manager [2010]. Sevilla won when they met at the Alfonso Perez Coliseum in the Second Division.

But in the top flight Getafe are stubborn as mules when this lot come to town.

Less promisingly Quique’s two matches in charge of Getafe v Sevilla, a decade ago, each ended in scoreless draws littered with yellow cards.

IF you want to build a case for this talented, charismatic manager to win this one then here’s what you’re up against.

His eight games in charge have seen two wins, five goals and only three scorers – Álvaro, Diego Castro and Pedro Sarabia.

More, Geta are still without: Vicente Guaita, Babá Diawara, Ángel Lafita, Karim Yoda and Sergio Escudero.

But here’s the rub. Sevilla blew a chance to win in Madrid in midweek – mostly because they couldn’t finish chances.

And, before they return to the capital this weekend it has cost them.

Keeper Beto is out for at least 8 weeks after his collision with Benzema and Unai is without Vitolo, Aleix Vidal and Carriço because of suspension, adding to an injury list of Tremoulinas, Pareja, Reyes, Gameiro and Cristóforo.

They should have beaten the European champions on Wednesday, they are the better team in this match… but this is football.

This is a place they hate coming.

To me it all smacks of either Quique’s third consecutive 0-0 draw against Sevilla, ten years on, or, if he’s lucky, Mehdi Lacen, back from Copa Africa, adding to his regular groovy performances against Sevilla and a 1-0 win.

Graham Hunter’s Bet: 0-0 draw at 13/2

Espanyol v Valencia – Sunday 6pm

So, will this match tell the story of Espanyol’s or Valencia’s season?

That’s crucial.

On Matchday 3 Los Che romped it. 3-0 up until a 90th minute penalty which Sergio Garcia converted
Valencia pushed them about, played on the break, ignored any of Espanyol’s nice passing patterns and just got the knuckle-duster out.

Bish, bash bosh.

That day Lucas Vázquez and Felipe Caicedo were only subs for the visitors. Coach Sergio González had other priorities.

From then till now a great deal has changed.

For example, Valencia are Charles Atlas at home, eight stone weaklings away.

Espanyol now feel very differently about Lucas and Felipe.

Caicedo’s on a blistering scoring run – eight in his last eleven to equal his best-ever goal form which was 2010/11 with Levante. Lucas, on loan from Madrid, looks smart and technically elegant.

Now a regular starter and full of creative threat he, plus Caicedo, Duarte, Moreno, Sergio Garcia and Casilla have transformed Espanyol’s season.

Such that they knocked Valencia out of the Cup, 3-2, with the Ecuadorian striker notching twice.

A result which added to the unsettling fact that although Nuno Espirito Santo is patently a firm part of a powerful and still very new project at the Mestalla there’s growing concern at his team’s apathetic away form and the concept that he’s a tactical tinkerer – too often fiddling with the formation and the starting XI.

Last week they let us down at Málaga – barely showing up.

Play like that again and, although they are a better XI and better squad than Espanyol, they’ll lose.

This week, having already suffered 7 red cards this season, they are without both Otamendi and full back Cancela – suspended.

Home wins in January over Celta, Almería, Valencia and Sevilla [10 scored 1 conceded] tell you that Espanyol aren’t to be sneered at, a home loss to Eibar before that tells you that they ain’t the Bank of England either.

Caicedo, Sergio G and Stuani worth a look for the home side, Piatti, Negredo and Paco Alcacer for the visitors.

Graham’s Bet: Espanyol win at 7/4

Athletic v Barcelona Sunday 8pm

This is one for the superstitious – those who see patterns in numbers and statistical trends which mustn’t be ignored.

The last time Luis Enrique’s mob were ‘oop north’ in the Basque country it was the first match of the year, at the Anoeta, and it was grim.

An own-goal, a defeat – both ridicule and a mini-mutiny for having left not only Neymar, Piqué, Rakitic and Alves out – but Messi too.

The defeat came just after a mini holiday.

Now they are back in the Pays Vasco – after a mini holiday.

Another mini revolt, too. The players, and to be fair the coach, didn’t want to play a scheduled friendly in Qatar this week so it was cancelled.

Everyone bar Piqué and Neymar had two and a half days off.

So, what chances of the result or the performance at San Mames repeating that of the Anoeta and leaving the title chasers with egg on their faces again?

Do you sense a pattern emerging?

It’s a thorny place, traditionally. Since 2004 Barcelona have three wins, six draws …but only two defeats in league and cup at the San Mames.

The key fact, however, is that given their four point deficit to Madrid at the top Barcelona can’t afford either of the latter two results. Not even a draw.

It’s February, so to pretend that this is an all-or-nothing weekend would be immature.

But it paints as an opportunity. Barcelona cure their travel-ills and get a bit Jack Kerouac. Memorable on the road. [Geddit?]

Away from the Camp Nou they’ve dropped thirteen points and consistently looked vulnerable.

But IF they’ve shed that personality, IF the form at the Calderón and Riazor is the real Barça then here’s the script.

They pick up three points and Madrid draw in the derbi.
Gap down to two points with a Camp Nou Clásico still to play.

That’s got to be how Luis Enrique is figuring this weekend.

What makes this particularly juicy for the neutral is that Athletic have stemmed the hemorrhage of bad results recently.

Wins and draws against Málaga and Levante in Cup and League have brought three goals for Aduriz and a sixth of the season from man-mountain defender Miki San-Jose.

Susaeta has set up three of the last four Athletic goals and they DO like to notch with a header.

Something Barcelona notoriously struggle to cope with.

Summary? Barcelona too improved, too many options, too much quality. 2-1 to the visitors.

Up to you, but if both San Jose and Piqué start I’m gonna take a wild punt on both to score. But that’s how I roll.

The sane will look to Messi, Neymar, Suárez [who’s increasingly vital for this attack] and Aduriz for scorers.

Graham’s Bet: Barcelona to win 2-1 at 7/1

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Getafe v Barcelona, Saturday 3.00pm

He’s not often praised for it because it raises uncomfortable themes but Gerard Piqué once expressed this phenomenon most honestly and accurately. Without quoting Getafe in particular the Barcelona centre half admitted, at the height of his powers around 2011, that there were times when a match, for club or country, held little appeal. His point was that elite footballers can get so used to the ‘champagne’ moments of testing away matches in Milan or Munich, or to Cup semi finals and finals or to games via which the league title is going to be decided that if it’s a cold midweek evening in a little stadium with very few fans, the pitch is lumpy and it’s a commonplace rival with nothing exotic about them then motivation can be hard to dig out.

The general pattern of Getafe games over the last few seasons has established just that pattern for Barça. If they are concentrating, motivated and determined to win then they’ll score four, five or even six against this unloved suburban Madrid team.

But if the Catalans aren’t quite ‘on it’ then they can easily lose or draw. Evidence is at hand in that Getafe drew 2-2 at the Camp Nou last May, a game which cost the title, and won at home as recently as 2011.

Cosmin Contra [what a fearsome flying wing back he was in his day] has made his team hard to beat but goals are their problem. Abdoul Yoda is their main source of goals but has no previous goal record to speak of across his peripatetic career prior to Getafe. Pablo Sarabia does tend to trouble Barça’s defence. Luis Enrique’s equivalents, Leo Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez, finally all scored in the same game in midweek – something you’d imagine we are about to see happen more regularly. Messi has ten goals and an assist in his last five matches and feels unstoppable.

In terms of the pattern of the game Barcelona have a bad habit of starting slowly, often conceding first, and needing what’s called the ‘remontada’ in Spanish football – a comeback win. It’s not beyond imagination that if Getafe were to take the lead they might damage Barcelona with a draw. But you’d need a creative imagination all the same. Barça to win 3-1 (a 9/1 shot) - Messi, Pedro and Suárez to find the onion bag.

MATCH REPORT – Barça v PSG (3-1): Messi, Neymar and Suarez fire #FCBarcelona to top spot http://t.co/znhomcB9Jr pic.twitter.com/59ZQlupVbj

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 10, 2014

Ref watch: Vicandi Garrido – one match, one defeat with Barcelona [Celta at home]

• Get stuck into the latest odds on the Barca game here: Desktop | Mobile

Atletico v Villarreal, Sunday 6.00pm

This should be fun. Given Villarreal’s relatively recent emergence as a Spanish power there have only been 26 meetings between the sides but they average over three goals per game in that time.

The Yellow Submarine don’t mind torpedoing the Mattress Makers [Colchoneros] in Madrid every now and then – but they don’t insist on it. Polite. And where the crux of this meeting rests is which of the two sides can best cope with intense midweek football better – a factor which has to favour the Spanish champions.

Atleti may only have drawn 0-0 in the Champions League but it was with Juventus and secured group leadership. Villarreal had the long travel to and from Nicosia, their game was on Thursday night rather than Tuesday and Marcelino chose to use a relatively strong lineup.

That said, Villarreal have rattled in twelve goals in their last five games via seven different scorers – Vietto, Gerard, Uche, Moi Gomez, Cheryshev, Bruno Soriano and Nahuel.

Vital for Atlético to win this one however. Through in Europe, Spanish Supercup holders and the last side to beat Madrid it’s still the case that there’s been a big dip since last season – mostly due to the loss of talent sold in the summer. At this stage a year ago Atleti had won twelve, drawn and lost once each, scored 38 and conceded nine for a goal difference of 29 and 37 points. Now it’s won ten, lost and drawn two each, scored only 27, conceded 12 for a difference of 15 and thirty two points. If that drift continues across the season then the title is out of reach.

Diego Godin and Miranda have formed a solid defensive partnership at Atlético which led them to the La Liga title. pic.twitter.com/52C8iQPSdn

— Final Whistle (@FinalWhistle__) December 8, 2014

Miranda (above) should return and gets the odd set piece goal, Raúl García is due a goal and Antoine Griezmann was rested against Juve so should get significant minutes in this one. 2-1 Atleti for me at 7/1.

Ref watch: Pérez Montero – Eight matches with Atleti, one defeat. Reffed these two sides a couple of seasons ago in a 1-1 draw. Horrible news for Villarreal that it’s Pérez Montero – seven matches and not one win under him. Four defeats, three draws.

• Dive into all the latest La Liga odds right this way: Desktop | Mobile 

Real Sociedad v Athletic Bilbao, Sunday, 8.00pm

The last time an ex Everton manager was in charge of one of these teams in the Basque derby it was all so different. Howard Kendall coached Athletic Bilbao – now it’s David Moyes with Real Sociedad.

Just to add to the Mersey theme the biggest thorn in Kendall’s side back then was former Liverpool striker John Toshack. In charge of Real Sociedad in those late eighties seasons he constantly found a way to beat Kendall’s Athletic in the derby, home or away.

One famous example was in October 1987 when Toshack’s La Real won 4-1 at Kendall’s Athletic with Manchester City Director of Football Txiki Begiristain and Real Sociedad Director of Football Loren both scoring. But another person Toshack tormented as a predecessor to Moyes at La Real was current Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde. When Toshack returned to run things at the Anoeta for the second [but not last] time he won the first Basque derby after his return, in November 1991.

In that Athletic team was a winger who to this day doesn’t know what it feels like to win at the Anoeta – Valverde. As a player he has three draws and three defeats while as a coach with Valencia, Espanyol or Athletic Bilbao three defeats and two draws [including one for Athletic  where his club were two nil up and still lost 3-2]

Result-wise Aritz Aduriz (below, somewhere) is crucial for Athletic. They’ve only scored twice in the 600 minutes they’ve had to play without him this season.

Aritz Aduriz stunner sees Athletic Bilbao to victory over Sevilla http://t.co/s3dxzy9phF pic.twitter.com/J21s0by8D2

— WorldCup NewsRoom (@WCNewsRoom) November 2, 2014

He should start – but how fit is he? Scattered across both squads there are players who’ve scored in this fixture – Muniain, San José, Toquero, Prieto, Vela, Susaeta, Pardo and Iñigo Martínez. But not one with a big track record of rising to the occasion. Agirretxe is out for La Real, as is Mikel and Zaldúa and they fell apart defensively a week ago in Villarreal.

Winning his derby debut would be like winning the Christmas lottery for the Scot – but a point, rather than the jackpot, looks a better prospect and the draw is 11/5.

Ref watch: Fernández Borbalán – twenty six matches with Athletic, eight wins [two of which in the Basque derby], twelve defeats and five red cards. With La Real 20 matches, only four wins – one of which the 3-1 defeat of Barcelona last season.

• Derby day delight for Dave? Get stuck into the latest betting here: Desktop | Mobile

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Hearts got their campaign off to a strong start last weekend as they breezed past St Johnstone at Tynecastle with a 2-0 victory.

A goal from John Sutton from the penalty spot and a late finish from highly rated attacker David Templeton was enough to give the Jambos the three points in an accomplished performance from manager John McGlynn’s men.

Templeton (9/1 – First Goalscorer) managed to win the penalty in the first half before scoring a goal of his own in the second and justified why plenty of clubs in the Championship south of the border have been linked with the 23-year-old.

With Glasgow Rangers dropping out of the SPL, Hearts certainly have a great chance to establish themselves as the second best side in the Scottish top flight behind the undoubted winners of the competition this term – Celtic.

McGlynn will have been pleased with the win over Saints but it will be a completely different challenge when they take on their old rivals on Sunday.

Hibernian had an opening day of the season to forget, as they were thumped 3-0 on the road at Dundee United last Sunday.

Manager Pat Fenlon will have had plenty to work on in training over the last week but he certainly won’t have to get his squad geared up for this Edinburgh derby which should produce a superb atmosphere at Easter Road.

Leigh Griffiths (13/2 – First Goalscorer) up front for Hibs will be a player the Hearts defence will have to keep their eye on and although he did not open his goalscoring account against Dundee United, he will be a threat on Sunday.

Hibs will be boosted with the news that Alan Maybury  and Gary Deegan could make their debuts for the club in the fiery atmosphere of the derby, which will certainly be a baptism of fire for the Irish pair.

Danny Galbraith is set to miss the game, as the winger still needs time to get back up to full match fitness having gone under the knife to rectify a groin injury.

As for Hearts (25/1 – SPL Outright) they will still be without Jamie Hamill, who is recovering from a knee injury, but do welcome back the suspended Danny Grainger who missed the win over St Johnstone but should feature this weekend.

The fact this is a derby will make it a closer affair than it should be and it’s hard to judge at this early stage of the season how this one will pan out.

But based on their contrasting opening days of the season, and with the likes of Sutton and Templeton in their ranks, it looks like the Maroon half of Edinburgh will be cheering at the final whistle.

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For some time now it has been a two-horse race for the crown and as the battle between these two giants has ebbed and flowed, we have now arrived at the biggest game of the campaign and, possibly, of the past few seasons.

City (7/4 Premier League outright) were clearly not comfortable holding the frontrunners tag and, having enjoyed a healthy lead over United, the Blues started to slip up as the pressure of closing in on their first Premier League title clearly started to get to them.

However, the Red Devils, who have been in this position so many times before as they go in search of their 20th league title, have also found life difficult at the top in recent weeks.

United at one stage held an eight-point lead at the top of the table but a defeat to Wigan Athletic and a thrilling 4-4 draw with Everton at Old Trafford in their last outing, has left them with just a three-point advantage ahead of the clash at the Etihad Stadium.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes City would go on to win the Premier League title if they were to collect all three points on home soil and has insisted his players will be going all out for a win.

This is really a match City must win and you can expect their boss Roberto Mancini to go with an attacking line-up for the derby.

Argentine duo Sergio Aguero (11/2 first goalscorer) and the prodigal son Carlos Tevez have looked extremely dangerous in attack in recent weeks and the question has been asked whether this game would have as much riding on it if Tevez had not done his disappearing act to South America?

Another controversial figure Mario Balotelli, who scored in City’s astonishing 6-1 victory over United at Old Trafford earlier this season, could feature in this high pressure encounter.

Mancini has insisted he trusts his fellow Italian to keep his cool, although questions must still be raised over the former Inter Milan star’s temperament.

It would be hard to break up the Aguero-Tevez partnership but Mancini may well bring in Balotelli and use Tevez (6/1 first goalscorer) as an impact player in the second-half, with the striker looking to get one over his former club.

As for United (4/7 Premier League outright), they will be concerned with the ease in which Everton scored four at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ and Ferguson will be determined to tighten up that defence.

England striker Wayne Rooney (11/2 first goalscorer) has looked dangerous up front recently and City will, of course, be more than aware of what the 26-year-old is capable of.

Nani, Danny Welbeck and Ashley Young, meanwhile, have been causing teams problems all season, so there will be plenty to think about for the Blues defence.

However, on home soil and with the momentum behind the chasers, City might just edge this all-important derby to set up a very exciting end to the 2011/2012 Premier League season.

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La Liga

Both teams will be desperate for the points, with newly promoted Granada still to seal their top flight status while Sevilla know they will need to win if they’re to have any chance of making a late run for the European places.

The home side have been in shocking form of late, having lost four of their last five matches in the league. However, they may have garnered some confidence from their last match when despite losing 5-3 at Barcelona, they caused the Blaugrana a number of problems and at one stage looked as if they had done enough to earn a vital point at the Nou Camp.

Their inability to avoid conceding once again showed them up and following the news that talismanic defender Pape Diakhate has been ruled out for the season, the ‘El Grana’ rear-guard is likely to come under even more scrutiny.

However, they have the talent and experience to keep a clean sheet and in veteran Noe Pamarot, they have a player who knows what it’s like to defend at the top level. The former Spurs man will undoubtedly need to put in a strong performance on Monday and his contribution could see his side sneak a vital win (Granada 13/2 to win 1-0).

Sevilla have once again flattered to deceive this season and, having won just one of their last four outings, hardly deserve to have any success. However, due to the nature of the league this year, a win on Monday would see them move into the top half of the table and leave them just two wins from the Champions League spots.

Despite their continued struggles, there is no doubt that with the talent at their disposal, they should be much higher in the league (Sevilla 6/1 to win 1-0).

One such star who seems to typify this is the recently re-signed winger Jose Antonio Reyes. The former Arsenal man returned to the club in January and many expected he would finally start to prove his worth after years of struggling to justify his reputation. Although there’s no doubt he has impressed during his latest stint at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, he is yet to find the net for Michel’s side. He will be looking to break his duck in this local derby.

Reyes’ ability could see his side home in what could be a tight match. Every season a team makes a late run for the European places and it could be Sevilla’s turn this time around so look out for them to take the points in a single goal victory (Sevilla 17/2 to win 2-1).

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West Brom v Wolves

Wolves (3/1) go to West Brom (21/20 to win) in the early kick-off at the Hawthorns (12pm) with both sides needing a win following a poor run of form.

The Baggies have yet to win at home and have only registered one victory all season – a 1-0 win at Norwich – as they prepare to host their local rivals.

Peter Odemwingie was Albion’s talisman last season, scoring 15 goals, but he has struggled with form and injuries so far this term. Boss Roy Hodgson has backed the Nigerian to come good once again and he can be backed at 3/2 to score anytime.

Wolves have lost their last four Premier League matches after a bright start and will be fired up for the game but, with Albion needing that home win, it looks like being more disappointment for Mick McCarthy.

Arsenal v Sunderland

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger’s future at the Emirates has been questioned by some Gunners fans ahead of the home game with Sunderland but he has the backing of majority shareholder Stan Kroenke and has vowed to battle on despite a thoroughly disappointing start to the campaign.

A defeat last time out to local rivals Spurs only cranked up the pressure further on the Frenchman so a win is a must against the Black Cats.

His opposite number on Sunday, Steve Bruce, is also under pressure but he, too, has been backed by the club’s owners despite a difficult few months. His side came back well from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with West Brom before the international break and he would take a draw (10/3) at the Emirates.

However, a win for the Gunners (4/9) is on the cards here.

Newcastle v Spurs

Newcastle’s unbeaten start to the season has largely gone under the radar so far but they face a tough test when Spurs go to St James’ Park on Sunday.

Alan Pardew has defied his critics to do a decent job and wins over local rivals Sunderland, Blackburn and Wolves last time out have endeared him to the Toon faithful and if he can conjure up a win over top-four chasing Tottenham then his stock will rise further.

Newcastle have had a relatively easy start to the season, however, and this represents their toughest game since the opening weekend when they held Arsenal.

It’s a difficult one to call but both sides will probably settle for a draw and a point apiece (23/10) looks likely.

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Wolves (evens To Stay Up) travel to their neighbours currently sat at the foot of the table but could join the Baggies on 27 points with a win and drag their rivals further into the relegation battle (West Brom 11/8 Relegation) as we head towards the home straight this season.

Neither side is in particularly good form of late, hence their struggles at the wrong end of the table, but the outcome of this match could make-or-break their respective seasons.

To add extra spice to the occasion Roy Hodgson will take charge of his first game in charge of West Brom following Roberto Di Matteo’s dismissal and he will hope the new manager factor can help give them a precious win (10/11 Home Win).

Striker Peter Odemwingie revealed that Hodgson has been focusing on tightening up the leakiest defence in the Premier League after watching from the stands as they threw away a three-goal lead against West Ham to draw 3-3 last Saturday.

Albion, who have endured a run of seven defeats and just four points from nine games, will face Wolves without influential midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu, but have no other fresh injury problems.

Wolves, who have only won on their travels once all season, should have Kevin Foley returning at full-back, while midfielder Dave Edwards should also be back following a leg knock. Stephen Hunt faces a late fitness test to see if he can shake off a calf injury in time to feature.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy admitted that he “can’t articulate how big it is” when asked his thoughts on the game. And, while he is confident that his side can go and see off West Brom in their back-yard, the statistics do not back him up.

Wolves have lost their last four Premier League away fixtures and, having scored just nine goals in 13 matches on the road.

Taking everything into account the arrival of Hodgson should give West Brom the edge to shade what will be a tense clash as the home players look to impress.

By his own admission Hodgson has not had long enough to get his ideas across to the Albion players so I can see both sides managing to score (8/13 Both Teams To Score), but Wolves ending up pointless.

Prediction: West Brom To Score In Both Halves @ 19/10

Value Bet: Peter Odemwingie 1st Scorer & West Brom 2-1 Wolves @ 25/1

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Wayne Rooney

Rooney suffered another ankle injury in training last week in a tackle from Paul Scholes prior to United’s Champions League victory over Bursaspor.

The England striker’s return had been pencilled in, by media and fans at least, for the Manchester derby at Eastlands on November 10, but Ferguson’s comments cast doubt on that now.

When asked if three weeks remained the prognosis, Ferguson, speaking ahead of Saturday’s late Premier League game against Tottenham at Old Trafford, replied: “I think it may be longer. There is no recovery, it is just rest. Before he went away we did his remedial in terms of what we could do at the time. Thereafter, rest – we’re quite happy with that.”

Ferguson’s message to Rooney following his new, record-breaking five-year deal last week, appears to be about him remaining the boss, but his continued praise for the lively Javier Hernandez (25/1) also could be construed as a word of warning to the England striker to pull his socks up.

The United boss said he was happy with the form of ‘Chicharito’ and stated that when Rooney does come back he will have some big decisions to make about team selection.

Hernandez has taken his opportunity well in the last month and banged in four goals in his last three starts, including the winners against Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers (4/7 Man United 11/4 draw 9/2 Tottenham – 90 minutes betting).

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