twofootedtackle’s quick guide to six games to keep an eye on this weekend, or pop along to if you’re in the vicinity. It’s FA Cup qualifying this weekend, so we’ve picked out one north and south game, both of which should be crackers, along with a League One glamour tie, a couple of fierce local derbies and a record breaking run in this week’s Six Picks.
Sheffield FC v Northwich Victoria
FA Cup Second Qualifying Round, 3pm, Saturday 25th September
This one has cup classic written all over it. Sheffield FC, as you should all know by now, are the world’s oldest football club and sit 16th in the Evo-Stick South. Northwich top the Northern Premier after their enforced demotion last season. The Vics know all about cupsets after knocking Charlton Athletic out of the competition last season and should beware of complacency in what should be a cracking cup tie. Northwich should be the favourites but with home advantage Sheffield could yet spring a surprise.
Dartford v Lowestoft Town
FA Cp 2nd Qualifying Round, 3pm, Saturday 25th September
Or you could go for the battle of the upwardly mobile. Dartford posses one of the nicest stadiums in non-league and are doing quite nicely in the Blue Square South, sitting in 14th place, after winning the Ryman Premier last season. Meanwhile 2008 FA Vase finalists Lowestoft have big ambitions and sit second in the league Dartford have just gained promotion from, after two successive promotions themselves. They may be a league apart but the Suffolk team should provide a real test for the Darts. Definitely the pick of the southern FA Cup games.
Southampton v Sheffield Wednesday
League One, 3pm, Saturday 25th September
The glamour tie of League One, but not quite the top of the table clash some may have expected when the fixtures were announced. Saints languish in the delegation zone after sacking Alan Pardew and look short of confidence. Eleventh-placed Wednesday have been a model of inconsistency and have looked both excellent and shaky on the pitch, while narrowly avoiding administration off it. If new Southampton boss Nigel Adkins can mastermind a victory here, he could well kick start the Saints stuttering season. Undoubtedly the Football League game of the weekend.
Lyon v St. Etiennee
Ligue Un, 8pm, Saturday 25th September
In recent years, Lyon would have been nailed-on favourites but Claude Puel’s men can’t get going this season and lost their last game against rivals Bordeaux to leave Les Gones expensive squad one place off the bottom three. In contrast, Saint Etienne sit atop of Ligue Un, casting aside their consistent 17th place finish of recent seasons. Les Verts haven’t won this derby since 1994 and for the first time in many years, this is their chance to grab bragging rites and establish themselves at the top of the table.
Estuadiantes v Boca Juniors
Argentina Primera Division (Apertura), 8.20pm, Saturday 25th September
Los Pincharratas are flying high with 13 points from six games and Boca will have their work cut out to get an away result against the 2009 Copa Libertadores winner. The visitors are bang in mid-table but will go into Saturday’s game in high spirits after a hat-trick from goalscoring icon Martin Palermo saw Boca come from behind to beat ten-man Colón 3-1 at La Bombonera last Sunday. (Chris Nee)
Real Salt Lake v Colorado Rapids
MLS, 3am, Sunday 26th September
Probably not one of the six best games in the world this weekend, this is still a fixture worth watching as Real Salt Lake keep breaking MLS records. They’re now 23 games unbeaten at home, done while playing some of the most attractive football in the league. In their way of extending this record are a very decent Colorado team who are capable of a result against anyone. The Rapids are looking good for a playoff spot and will push RSL all the way.
[...] has said he’ll resign if the U’s failed to get promoted. Lowestoft, as we highlighted two weeks ago, are upwardly mobile and are aiming for a third successive promotion. This one’s impossible [...]