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[u]Man United v Newcastle, Wednesday 19:45, Sky Sports 2[/u] These early round exchanges between the big clubs largely depend on the strengths of the second string and the crop of youngsters who are knocking on the first team door. Arsenal's relative success in this competition is often down to the full-blooded endeavours of their inexperienced players looking to impress after finally being given the chance. With this in mind, a third round date at Old Trafford is likely to be a severe test for Newcastle's injury-strewn squad against the might of Manchester United's resources. There is no question that Newcastle will take this competition seriously as their quest to bring in a first domestic cup since 1955 demands, though the squad is still depleted by a host of defensive ailments. Problems...

Manchester United's new boy should lead the line for the 19-time league champions and the stats say that he is a strong bet to finish up with the golden boot. Andrew Atherley explains all Cream rises to the top in the Premier League scoring charts, just as it does in the overall table. In fact, there is an inextricable link between the two. For the statistical evidence, compiled for the past 10 seasons, let's consider first the likelihood of the top goalscorer coming from one of the leading clubs. There have been 11 winners in the past decade (two players tied for first in 2010-11) and every one played for a top-four finisher (five for the champions, two for the runners-up, three for the third-placed team and one for the fourth-placed). In fact, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in 2000-01...

[b]After Mario Balotelli's red card yesterday, and Wayne Rooney's extended run without a yellow card, Ralph Ellis makes a case for discipline being a vital factor in this season's title race.[/b] To buy one brilliant but truculent striker might be considered bad luck; To get two borders on carelessness; To have signed three in the space of as many years means somebody at Manchester City simply doesn't learn his lessons. Blame [b]Mario Balotelli[/b], as some have done this morning, for losing the Premier League title if you like. His red card in the final moments of the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal yesterday that left Manchester United with an eight point advantage at the top of the table was after all pretty damn stupid. But has mad Mario really been any worse an influence on City's...

[b]Mike Norman takes a look at three Boxing Day fixtures and predicts easy wins for Liverpool and Manchester United, but he believes Bolton v Newcastle is much harder to call.[/b] [b]Bolton v Newcastle, KO: Boxing Day 15:00, Match Odds: Bolton 2.7, Newcastle 2.9, The Draw 3.5[/b] Bolton recorded a much needed win against relegation rivals Blackburn in midweek and they'll fancy their chances of another victory when an out-of-form Newcastle visit the Reebok Stadium on Boxing Day. Having said that, the Trotters have lost nine of their last 10 league games at the Reebok Stadium so confidence is unlikely to be too high. After a quite brilliant start to the season Newcastle find themselves without a win in six, injuries mounting up, and - not surprisingly in my opinion - having one...

Manchester United have lost just one Champions League home game in six-and-a-half years, so are understandably strong 1.11 favourites to beat Otelul Galati, who have started life in Europe's premier competition with three successive defeats. There is consequently a temptation to paint this fixture as a replica of Chelsea's recent clash with Genk at Stamford Bridge, which finished 5-0 in their favour, however Red Devils routs in continental action are surprisingly rare. [u]Asian Handicap [/u] Otelul Galati +2.5, which guarantees a payout so long as the hosts don't triumph by three or more goals, is likely to be available at around 1.92, and there is a fairly formidable case for taking this option. Sir Alex Ferguson's side have won only three of their last 36 Champions League matches...

Both these sides have three European Cup/Champions League titles to their name. Both these sides have already lifted the famous trophy at this week's venue, Wembley Stadium. Both these sides are chasing the superior European records of bitter domestic rivals. All similarities between Barcelona and Manchester United going into this week's Champions League decider in London. However, there will be one major difference come the final whistle on Saturday night. One of these sides will have won... the other will have lost. Now if we're to believe the market, it will be Barca 1.54 who come out on top, just as they did in their last meeting - the 2009 final. They are clear favourites to beat United once again with the English side dismissed by punters and pundits alike, trading at ...

They're the big outsiders and they ended up on the losing side the last time they met Barcelona in a Champions League final but the Betfair Contrarian is convinced Manchester United will come good on Saturday night. The Contrarian is usually reluctant to agree with anyone, but Betfair's UK Football Ambassador Andy Gray summed up the Champions League Final perfectly when he asked how often the opportunity to back Manchester United at 4.1 to win a match arises. They might not do it in 90 minutes of course but the Contrarian said in March that Barcelona wouldn't win the tournament and has seen nothing to change his mind since. Here's why he sees Manchester United's name on the trophy at 2.82... [i]Manchester United have the momentum... [/i] The common consensus is that when Barcelona...

Manchester United go into the game without serious injury problems. Michael Owen may be handed a rare start, with Ryan Giggs expected to be rested. Schalke centre-back Benedikt Howedes returns to the squad after missing the last three games although is not certain to start. [i]Match Odds [/i] I'm always reluctant to back sides when they don't need to win, as is the case with United here: they can afford to draw or even lose by one goal and still qualify for the final. It's worth noting the last two sides to win Champions League semi-final first legs away from home - Barcelona in 2006, and Real Madrid in 2002 - both failed to win the return fixtures. Yet the gulf in class between United and Schalke in the first meeting last week, plus United's remarkable unbeaten home record this...