Final word though, as always, is the pick of the weekend games:Tottenham vs Everton, as both are pus...

By Andy Jones

Today saw Portsmouth FC go into administration and be given a 9 point penalty. In situations like these you must ask yourself, what is actually on the FA’s fit and proper person’s test that allows someone to come in and buy a club and then not intervene when a club is clearly going to fail financially. Anyway, there is not much to be said on the matter, the 9 point penalty will almost certainly consign Portsmouth to relegation.

But on to the future and a quick look at this weekend’s games, a lot of eyes will be on Villa and United in the Carling Cup final, which I feel could go either way despite Wayne Rooney’s magnificent form. Villa are one of these teams that no matter whether they are having a terrible run, I would never write off their ability to move the ball quickly, pass it, play the long pall, or take a direct approach is brilliant, and their well-organised defence means they will always provide any opponent with a tough game. Who do you think will win? I would normally say United, but I’d take a punt and I like supporting the underdog, so I’m going to say Villa.

Another topic which hasn’t been in the news or anything like that, but I have been thinking about is rivalry between teams, we have the classics: Arsenal vs Spurs, City vs United, Liverpool vs United, Pompey vs Southampton and such. But I’ve been thinking I can easily see a new rivalry between Man City and Chelsea forming, because City did get Robinho when Chelsea wanted him, City have stolen Chelsea’s title as the richest club, they could realistically become a huge power house in a matter of seasons, just like Chelsea. Oh and we musn’t forget the whole Terry and Bridge scenario, that will add something extra to the game. But all of this makes me think how fast the landscape of football changes and just how much a few players moving around can complete change the tempo of the league, because United without Ronaldo are a completely different Animal, Arsenal without Adebayor (seeing as Bendtner has been injured for a while even though he’s back) do not have a big target man and have lost their aerial threat. Liverpool seem to be settling for buying players who just don’t quite cut it, bar one or two such as Torres, while teams like Villa, City and hell even Tottenham are going from strength to strength. I wonder in what new rivalries will exist in a couple of years.

Final word though, as always, is the pick of the weekend games:
Tottenham vs Everton, as both are pushing to finish in the top 6, if not top 4 for Tottenham. Yes Everton have some catching up to do, but after beating United last week (despite Sporting Lisbon thrashing them yesterday in Europe) they are looking like the well-oiled machine that they normally are under David Moyes’ tenure. I think the main battle in this game will be Mikel Arteta vs Wilson Palacios, the Spanish Maestro who can make Everton tick will be against the Honduran Enforcer who will be looking to keep him shackled.