Weekend Forecast (EPL, NFL)

EPL
Charlton v. Everton: Everton, while currently in 7th spot, trail 3rd-place Portsmouth by a mere three points. With impact players like Andy Johnson and Tim Cahill, the Toffees certainly know how to net their share of goals. Charlton, on the other hand, currently sit at the bottom of the table. With only eight points earned from thirteen matches, the Addicks are in need of a momentum-changing victory.
[2-0, Everton]

Aston Villa v. Middlesbrough: Disappointing Middlesbrough, who have yet to notch a victory on the road this season, must travel to Villa Park, where the home men have ceded only three goals in six games (4-2-0). Though they currently sit 5th in the table, Villa have lost only once in 13 overall matches (5-7-1). If they can develop a knockout punch, Martin O'neill's squad may well be a legitimate factor in the race for Champion's League spots.
[1-0, Villa]

Fulham v. Reading: Newly promoted (and surprising) Reading currently sit 8th, though they trail 4th-place Arsenal by only three points. Perennial middle-meddlers Fulham are hoping to correct the disappointing form shown in last week's 3-1 loss against Manchester City. Most notable about this game is that each team features a member of the U.S. national team! It's McBride v. Convey!
[1-1, draw]

Liverpool v. Manchester City: Perhaps second to Newcastle in terms of general disappointment, Liverpool boast an embarrassing 0-2-5 road mark, having scored only a single goal in those seven away matches. City hold an equally dismal 0-1-5 road record, having surrendered a league-worst 14 away goals. This week's match-up is at Ansfield, which surely gives Liverpool the edge. Still, Rafa Benitez must find a way to win on the road if Liverpool are to have any chance of rescuing their season. Such poor play is hardly becoming of a recent European Champion.
[2-1, Liverpool]

West Ham v. Sheffield United: Fortunately for struggling West Ham, Sheffield must travel to Upton Park. The EPL newcomers have yet to claw their way out of the relegation zone, having managed only a pair of wins thus far. Things, however, look equally bleak for West Ham. Invigorated by high-profile signings including Argentinian star Carlos Tevez, the Hammers surely figured to be far more than one point clear of the relegation zone at this juncture in the season. Alan Pardew has his work cut out for him.
[1-0, West Ham]

Bolton v. Arsenal: Expect the Gunners to ride into the Reebok Stadium on a wave of midweek Champion's League momentum. Currently 4th in the table, Arsenal must soon show whether they have what it takes to shake up the two-team race between Man. U. and Chelsea.
[3-1, Arsenal]

Newcastle v. Portsmouth: Portsmouth began the season as a fantasy owner's dream, led by scoring machine Kanu and a staunch defense anchored by rejuvenated stars David James and Sol Campbell. Although Pompey are beginning to "come back to Earth," they needn't worry about "Most Disappointing Team" front-runner Newcastle. Parker, Martins, Duff, and company have done little of note, posting a lowly eight goals in 13 matches played.
[2-0, Portsmouth]

Tottenham v. Wigan: Fresh off a season in which they impressively retained their top-flight status, Wigan are currently riding a five-match unbeaten streak, highlighted by back-to-back road victories against Fulham and Bolton. Spurs, ever the yearly pick for "Next Big Team," stand poised to star in A Tale of Two Seasons: 4-1-1 at home, 0-3-4 on the road. Look for Tottenham to try to find their goal-scoring touch this weekend at White Hart Lane.
[2-1, Tottenham]

Manchester United v. Chelsea: This is the first of what are sure to be a pair of vitally important clashes between the EPL's top two teams. While each club has suffered only a single Premiership loss, both experienced midweek 1-0 defeats in Champion's League group play (United against Celtic, Chelsea against Werder Bremen). Make no mistake: neither Sir Alex Ferguson nor Jose Mourinho will allow his team to enter this match with a hangover. Ferguson's Red Devils hungrily wish to puncture the aura that surrounds the defending champs, while Mourinho's men look to reiterate their intentions of retaining the EPL crown. It's "we're back" versus "we ain't going nowhere."
[2-2, draw]

NFL
Cincinatti v. Cleveland: While the Bengals stand at a disappointing 5-5, they remain 5th in the NFL in points scored. Indeed, Carson Palmer and crew can score with the best of 'em. Following a big win in New Orleans, the Bengals need to continue to improve their defense while remaining strong as ever on the offensive side. The Browns, on the other hand, are...the Browns. Despite my previous praise of their uniforms--and despite the fact that Braylon Edwards is becoming a stud--Cleveland is still Cleveland.
[31-10, Cincinatti]

Jacksonville v. Buffalo: The Jaguars are the NFL's most perplexing team, boasting wins over the Giants, Eagles, and Cowboys, while recording losses to the Redskins and Texans (twice). The Bills continue to ebb and flow, though they have won two of their last three games, with the one loss being a 17-16 heartbreaker against the then-undefeated Colts. In a game between two inconsistent teams such as Jacksonville and Buffalo, home-field advantage generally sways things. Look for the Bills to inch closer to the .500 mark.
[17-14, Buffalo]

Pittsburgh v. Baltimore: The wheels of the Big Ben Bandwagon have fallen off, and memories of Super Bowl XXXV are alive in Baltimore. With two difficult road games (at Cincinatti and at Kansas City) upcoming, expect Baltimore to pounce upon the defending champs in this tune-up.
[28-10, Baltimore]

New Orleans v. Atlanta: Drew Brees, coming off of a 510-yard losing performance against the Bengals, takes his Big Easy aerial attack to the Georgia Dome to meet the Falcons, losers of three straight. Meanwhile, Michael Vick will surely be looking to set his critics (including Jim Mora Sr.) straight. Each of these teams has played in its share of shootouts this season, so don't expect to see a great deal of defense in this one. Give the edge to the Saints, who won the first go-'round 23-3.
[34-24, New Orleans]

Carolina v. Washington: The Panthers are beginning to look, if only somewhat, like a team who could at least challenge for the NFC's Super Bowl spot. So long as they have a healthy Steve Smith and a decently effective running game, Carolina stands a chance to beat anyone they play. The Redskins, conversely, are...bad. The generous 4.5-point line presumably entails a small measure of home-field momentum for Washington. Heh...
[28-10, Carolina]

San Francisco v. St. Louis: Hold the presses! The 49ers sit in 2nd place in the NFC West, only one game behind defending conference champs Seattle. Despite fielding the league's second-worst scoring defense, the Niners have inched their way to a 5-5 record. Lo and behold, what better chance to break the .500 barrier than to face the freefalling Rams? (Granted, "freefalling" may be too harsh a term, as St. Louis is coming off of a difficult stretch--Seattle (twice), San Diego, Kansas City, and Carolina.) Still, all were losses, and San Francisco will try to strike while the iron is hot, using a healthy dose of Frank Gore to open up the passing game for a much-improved Alex Smith. Don't be surprised if they pull off an upset on the road.
[24-20, San Francisco]

Arizona v. Minnesota: 16.1 points per game versus 16.7 points per game. Were I able to offer even a modestly satirical preview of this game, believe me, I'd do it.
[3-0, Minnesota]

Houston v. New York Jets: If there is such a thing as an "on the cusp" 3-7 team, it may be the Houston Texans. They suffered close losses to the Giants and Bills (four points, three points), and lay claim to two--count 'em, two--wins over the Jacksonville Jaguars. David Carr, despite failing to throw a touchdown pass in his last four games, is showing that he can be a worthy starter in the NFL, especially if complemented by a not-awful offensive line, a solid running game, and a respectable defense. Oh yeah--Andre Johnson is a beast. The Jets, who followed a potentially season-defining win against the Patriots by posting a "0" against the Bears, are entering a make-or-break stretch of winnable games against Houston, Green Bay, Buffalo, and Minnesota. With division-leading New England facing those very same 9-1 Bears this week, the Jets have an opportunity to climb and create a genuine AFC East power struggle. It's a shame that they're the most boring team in the NFL.
[13-10, Houston, OT]

Oakland v. San Diego: Yes, LT may actually score half a dozen touchdowns.
[42-7, San Diego]

Chicago v. New England: Man-oh-man, a Thanksgiving weekend showdown between the league's two stingiest defenses. That's right--despite being lambasted and left for dead by pundits everywhere, the supposedly "past-it" Patriots are surrendering a mere 13.1 points per game this season, second only to Chicago's 12.0. Commentators are billing this as New England's "identity game"--a game which, if lost, will drop the Patriots from their dynastic pedestal into the common masses of the AFC. For Chicago, this is also an identity game. The Bears, who have struggled to gain credibility despite a 9-1 record, can silence scores of critics by marching into Foxboro and leaving with the spoils. Look for this to be a low-scoring affair, with touchdowns coming at a premium. And one last warning: Don't throw Belichick, Brady, and the boys under the bus just yet.
[14-10, New England]

New York Giants v. Tennessee: Eli = struggling. Eli = overrated. Giants = primed for implosion. Call this the Upset Special!
[24-17, Tennessee]

Philadelphia v. Indianapolis: Donovan McNabb's injury may end up as one of the saddest sports stories of the year. Whether you're a McNabb-lover or -hater, you can't deny the fact that the guy is as fierce and competitive as any QB in the NFL. Unfortunately, the Eagles now stand without their leader--and without any semblance of a running game. Peyton and the Colts, with the 16-0 monkey off their backs, can now get back to the business of throwing the football down everyone's throats.
[31-10, Indianapolis]

Green Bay v. Seattle: Truthfully, the big story surrounding this game will have nothing to do with the end score, nor will it have anything to do with Matt Hasselbeck returning just in time for Mike Holmgren to face his former team. The headline here is that Brett Favre will apparently make his 232nd consecutive start as the Packers' quarterback, despite suffering a nerve injury in his elbow last week . Boy, I would looove to pick the Packers in a sentimental upset. However, the game is being played in Seattle, which means it's a virtual lock for the Seahawks.
[24-14, Seattle]