Mark Meadows

Some bumper Premier League matches this weekend but will that mean we'll be seeing bumper points totals in our predictions competition?

A Merseyside derby is probably the last match Liverpool's Rafa Benitez wanted and if they lose, it will surely be the worse week of his managerial career. Club bosses say his job is safe but bottom side Portsmouth also gave their backing to Paul Hart just a few weeks ago...

New Pompey manager Avram Grant takes on Manchester United hoping it turns out better than the last time he met them in Moscow (see photo).

Oh, and I almost forgot, it's Arsenal v Chelsea too! Let's make that our double pointer this week. Remember you get one point for correct result and five for a correct score.

Here's the panel's latest standings with this weekend's fixtures and their wild guesses underneath. Give us your predictions in the comments.

Reuters Soccer Blog panel: Patrick Johnston 129, Mitch Phillips 111, Paul Radford 106, Mike Collett 101, Simon Evans 89, Kevin Fylan 88, Mark Meadows 87, Miles Evans 86, Neil Maidment 81, Julien Pretot 74, Asia Sports Desk 68, Martyn Herman 46, Justin Palmer 38, Sonia Oxley 29

Portsmouth v Man United: Patrick Johnston 0-2, Mitch Phillips 0-1, Paul Radford 0-1, Mike Collett 0-3, Simon Evans 1-1, Kevin Fylan 1-2, Mark Meadows 0-2, Miles Evans 2-2, Neil Maidment, Julien Pretot, Asia Sports Desk , Martyn Herman 0-3, Justin Palmer 0-2, Sonia Oxley 1-0

Aston Villa v Tottenham: Patrick Johnston 2-1, Mitch Phillips 2-1, Paul Radford 2-1, Mike Collett 1-2, Simon Evans 2-1, Kevin Fylan 1-4, Mark Meadows 1-1, Miles Evans 1-3, Neil Maidment, Julien Pretot, Asia Sports Desk , Martyn Herman 1-1, Justin Palmer 2-1, Sonia Oxley 1-2

Manchester City v Hull: Patrick Johnston 3-2, Mitch Phillips 4-0, Paul Radford 4-0, Mike Collett 2-1, Simon Evans 5-0, Kevin Fylan 2-0, Mark Meadows 3-0, Miles Evans 3-2, Neil Maidment, Julien Pretot, Asia Sports Desk , Martyn Herman 1-1, Justin Palmer 4-0, Sonia Oxley 2-0

Wigan v Sunderland: Patrick Johnston 2-1, Mitch Phillips 1-1, Paul Radford 1-1, Mike Collett 2-0, Simon Evans 2-1, Kevin Fylan 1-2, Mark Meadows 1-2, Miles Evans 1-1, Neil Maidment, Julien Pretot, Asia Sports Desk , Martyn Herman 0-2, Justin Palmer 1-1, Sonia Oxley 2-1

Blackburn v Stoke: Patrick Johnston 2-1, Mitch Phillips 2-0, Paul Radford 2-0, Mike Collett 1-0, Simon Evans 0-0, Kevin Fylan 0-2, Mark Meadows 2-1, Miles Evans 1-2, Neil Maidment, Julien Pretot, Asia Sports Desk , Martyn Herman 1-0, Justin Palmer 2-0, Sonia Oxley 2-1

Fulham v Bolton: Patrick Johnston 3-0, Mitch Phillips 1-1, Paul Radford 3-1, Mike Collett 3-1, Simon Evans 3-1, Kevin Fylan 3-1, Mark Meadows 2-0, Miles Evans 2-0, Neil Maidment, Julien Pretot, Asia Sports Desk , Martyn Herman 2-0, Justin Palmer 2-1, Sonia Oxley 0-1

West Ham v Burnley: Patrick Johnston 3-2, Mitch Phillips 1-0, Paul Radford 2-1, Mike Collett 1-1, Simon Evans 1-2, Kevin Fylan 1-1, Mark Meadows 3-1, Miles Evans 2-0, Neil Maidment, Julien Pretot, Asia Sports Desk , Martyn Herman 1-1, Justin Palmer 3-1, Sonia Oxley 1-1

Sunday:
Arsenal v Chelsea: Patrick Johnston 1-2, Mitch Phillips 2-1, Paul Radford 1-1, Mike Collett 1-3, Simon Evans 1-1, Kevin Fylan 1-2, Mark Meadows 1-1, Miles Evans 2-2, Neil Maidment, Julien Pretot, Asia Sports Desk , Martyn Herman 1-3, Justin Palmer 1-1, Sonia Oxley 2-1

Everton v Liverpool: Patrick Johnston 1-1, Mitch Phillips 0-0, Paul Radford 0-2, Mike Collett 2-2, Simon Evans 2-1, Kevin Fylan 2-1, Mark Meadows 0-2, Miles Evans 1-2, Neil Maidment, Julien Pretot, Asia Sports Desk , Martyn Herman 0-1, Justin Palmer 2-1, Sonia Oxley 2-1

Wolves v Birmingham: Patrick Johnston 1-1, Mitch Phillips 2-2, Paul Radford 2-2, Mike Collett 1-0, Simon Evans 2-2, Kevin Fylan 1-1, Mark Meadows 3-3, Miles Evans 1-3, Neil Maidment, Julien Pretot, Asia Sports Desk , Martyn Herman 2-3, Justin Palmer 1-2, Sonia Oxley 1-1

Juventus have been fined 20,000 euros rather than receive a stadium ban for an offensive chant their fans sing about Inter Milan's black striker Mario Balotelli.

As songs go, it is pretty insulting. "Se saltelli, muore Balotelli" (If you jump up and down, Balotelli will die).

However, the big question is whether the song is racist. The Italian league has decided it is offensive and incites violence but has not classified it as racist, hence the fine and no heftier punishment. Many Italians disagree and say the Juve fans would not sing such a song if he was white.

Of course last season Juve were forced to play a game behind close doors after home fans sang "a black Italian does not exist" at Palermo-born Balotelli in a game with champions Inter.

Most Premier League fans will know of an especially nasty chant aimed at Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger while there are several English songs about getting a gun to "shoot some (most hated rival club) scum".

In England, fans largely get away with these sorts of chants. But should they go unpunished given there are children in the stadiums? It hardly helps build the fabric of society. Then again, if attempts were made to ban all such chants, would some of the wonderful match-day banter we all enjoy get lost?

The new Juve chant is probably a bit more insulting than the usual taunts and it is towards an individual rather than a club.

Balotelli, 19, has annoyed rival fans and even his own coach Jose Mourinho with his "me against the world" attitude this term, but no one deserves such abuse.

PHOTO: Inter Milan's Mario Balotelli eyes the ball during their Italian Serie A soccer match against Catania at the San Siro stadium in Milan October 24, 2009. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo

How about this for a job swap. Former Italy rugby international Denis Dallan will sing the national anthem before the Azzurri's test with New Zealand at Milan's San Siro on Saturday.

Dallan, who picked up 42 caps between 1999 and 2007, fancies himself as a tenor and will boom out what has to be one of the world's most upbeat national anthems to 80,000 people.

It's the biggest rugby crowd ever in Italy and the beefy 31-year-old is up against the angelic Elizabeth Marvelly singing the New Zealand song before the All Blacks do their haka.

Don't get nervous Denis. Next stop, La Scala.

PHOTO: Italy's left wing Denis Dallan (L) is tackled by Geordan Murphy of Ireland during their Six Nations match at the Flaminio Stadium in Rome February 22, 2003. REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito

Italy clinched their second Fed Cup final with a 4-0 victory over the United States on Sunday.

The U.S. were hampered by Serena and Venus Williams opting not to compete. But as Mark Meadows discusses above, would it be better for America if the pair definitively ended their Fed Cup careers?

(additional reporting by Marie-Louise Gumuchian)

Out of eight Spanish and English teams playing in the Champions League this week, only Arsenal were victorious.

Was this a blip for the two powerhouses, or is it another indication that Europe's top club competition is becoming more balanced?

I did a video blog on Tuesday about the difficulties in Italian football (and got a bit of stick for it!) and for 86 minutes of Dynamo Kiev v Inter Milan the problems were still there.

But a quick double burst by Jose Mourinho's men gave them a 2-1 comeback win and they are now top of the group. If they beat Barcelona at the Nou Camp next time out then the holders could be in real trouble. 

In the long run, I still maintain that a Serie A side will really struggle to win it this season but what about flying Bordeaux?

It's possibly beyond a French side as well, which leads me back to Arsenal.

Manchester United are suddenly looking shaky at the back while Chelsea, Barca, Real Madrid are far from perfect.

I reckoned at the start of the season that Arsenal, with their youthful exuberance and delightful play, could be real challengers in Europe and although they have probably had an easier group and are not even through yet, their chances look to be increasing.  

PHOTO: Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas scores his second goal in the 4-1 home win over AZ Alkmaar, Nov 4, 2009. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

The New York Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 Wednesday to win the World Series.

The 4-2 series victory gave the Yankees their 27th Fall Classic crown and first since 2000.

Hideki Matsui was named Most Valuable Player after batting .615 with three home runs and eight RBIs over the series.

The Japanese slugger drove in six runs in Wednesday’s clincher, tying the World Series record for most RBIs in a game set in 1960 by Yankee second baseman Bobby Richardson.

PHOTO: New York Yankees players (L-R) Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada (obscured), Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera look at the World Series trophy after the Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 to win the 2009 Major League Baseball World Series in New York, November 4, 2009. REUTERS/Pool-David J. Phillip

Toyota team principal Tadashi Yamashina was in tears as the Japanese company announced it has withdrawn from Formula One with immediate effect.

Japan has deserted motorsport on mass during the economic crisis (Honda and Bridgestone to name just two).

Company president Akio Toyoda apologised for the team's failure to record a single race victory since joining F1 in 2002 despite an estimated annual budget of around $300 million.

"It was a very difficult but unavoidable decision," he told a news conference in Tokyo.

The departure opens the door for BMW Sauber's new Swiss owners to take their place on the grid.

PHOTO: Toyota Motorsport Chairman and Team Principal Tadashi Yamashina cries at a news conference at the company's headquarters in Tokyo November 4, 2009 REUTERS/Issei Kato

Resurgent AC Milan host Real Madrid in the Champions League later having beaten the Galacticos 3-2 at the Bernabeu two weeks ago.

Meanwhile Inter Milan are seven points clear in Serie A after just 11 games. All would seem to be rosy in one of Europe's greatest soccer cities, but in reality Italian football is in the doldrums.

Mark Meadows discusses.

Monday morning update, by Kevin Fylan: This was the weekend that the Reuters Soccer Blog panel struck back. Mark Meadows managed a stonking 22 points from the 10 games, the first time we've really had a score to shout about. Can anyone beat that? Leader Patrick Johnston got a solid 13, while Neil Maidment has made a great leap forward with 18. In any other week, Neil...

Remember, you bag five points for getting the score spot on, and just one if you got the result right but the wrong score. Here's our updated league table. Where do you stand?

Reuters Soccer Blog panel: Patrick Johnston 105, Mitch Phillips 89, Paul Radford 87, Mike Collett 76, Simon Evans 74, Mark Meadows 72, Kevin Fylan 71, Miles Evans 70, Julien Pretot 69, Neil Maidment 62, Asia Sports Desk 53, Justin Palmer 38, Martyn Herman 20, Sonia Oxley 10 (plus belated bonus from last week, =15)

Original post from Friday: It's that time of the week again. Yes time to humiliate ourselves by hopelessly trying to guess which Liverpool side will turn up, how many players will be out with swine flu and whether Dimitar Berbatov will actually resemble the good player he is supposed to be.

Apart from Mitch Phillips, who downright cheated, last weekend's Premier League predictions contest was a sad tale of woe for all and this time it looks just as tricky.

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur is always a feisty affair, just ask any North Londoner (not that there will be many on the pitch). 

Even avid Spurs fans (you know who you are) would be hard pressed to deny that Arsenal play the most beautiful football in England but Tottenham are seriously threatening to break into that top four this term and what better way to show your worth that to win away at the Gunners.

The derby will be our double pointer for this week. Remember one point for the correct result and a massive five for the correct score.

Below are the running scores for our not-so-expert panel at Reuters Soccer Blog Heights followed by this weekend's fixtures and our predictions. Please play along in the comments and see if you can rival our top contributors like Chipking, Sean and maid.

Playing Saturday:

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur: Patrick Johnston 5-2, Mitch Phillips 2-2, Paul Radford 2-0, Simon Evans 1-2, Mike Collett 2-3, Kevin Fylan 2-4, Miles Evans 3-1, Julien Pretot 3-1, Mark Meadows 1-1, Asia Sports Desk 3-1, Neil Maidment 2-1, Justin Palmer 2-2, Martyn Herman 3-1, Soxley 2-2

Bolton Wanderers v Chelsea: Patrick Johnston 1-2, Mitch Phillips 1-1, Paul Radford 0-3, Simon Evans 1-2, Mike Collett 0-2, Kevin Fylan 1-2, Miles Evans 2-2, Julien Pretot 0-2, Mark Meadows 1-2, Asia Sports Desk 1-3, Neil Maidment 0-2, Justin Palmer 1-1, Martyn Herman 0-2, Soxley 0-2

Burnley v Hull City: Patrick Johnston 2-0, Mitch Phillips 2-1, Paul Radford 2-0, Simon Evans 3-2, Mike Collett 4-1, Kevin Fylan 2-1, Miles Evans 1-1, Julien Pretot 1-1, Mark Meadows 2-0, Asia Sports Desk 1-2, Neil Maidment 2-0, Justin Palmer 1-1, Martyn Herman 2-1, Soxley 1-1 

Everton v Aston Villa: Patrick Johnston 1-1, Mitch Phillips 1-1, Paul Radford 1-2, Simon Evans 1-2, Mike Collett 1-2, Kevin Fylan 1-0, Miles Evans 2-2, Julien Pretot 1-1, Mark Meadows 1-1, Asia Sports Desk 1-2, Neil Maidment 1-1, Justin Palmer 2-0, Martyn Herman 2-2, Soxley 1-1            

Fulham v Liverpool: Patrick Johnston 1-0, Mitch Phillips 2-2, Paul Radford 1-2, Simon Evans 0-1, Mike Collett 1-2, Kevin Fylan 2-1, Miles Evans 0-1, Julien Pretot 1-2, Mark Meadows 1-1, Asia Sports Desk 1-4, Neil Maidment 1-2, Justin Palmer 2-3, Martyn Herman 2-1, Soxley 0-2            

Portsmouth v Wigan Athletic: Patrick Johnston 1-1, Mitch Phillips 2-0, Paul Radford 1-2, Simon Evans 2-2, Mike Collett 2-1, Kevin Fylan 0-1, Miles Evans 1-2, Julien Pretot 1-0, Mark Meadows 0-0, Asia Sports Desk 0-1, Neil Maidment 1-2, Justin Palmer 0-0, Martyn Herman 1-1, Soxley 0-1         

Stoke City v Wolverhampton Wanderers: Patrick Johnston 3-0, Mitch Phillips 2-0, Paul Radford 2-0, Simon Evans 2-1, Mike Collett 1-1, Kevin Fylan 2-0, Miles Evans 4-1, Julien Pretot 2-1, Mark Meadows 1-1, Asia Sports Desk 1-1, Neil Maidment 3-1, Justin Palmer 3-1, Martyn Herman 0-0, Soxley 0-0

Sunderland v West Ham United: Patrick Johnston 2-1, Mitch Phillips 2-0, Paul Radford 3-1, Simon Evans 2-1, Mike Collett 3-1, Kevin Fylan 0-0, Miles Evans 1-2, Julien Pretot 2-0, Mark Meadows 2-2, Asia Sports Desk 1-1, Neil Maidment 2-2, Justin Palmer 0-1, Martyn Herman 1-2, Soxley 3-2

Manchester United v Blackburn Rovers: Patrick Johnston 2-1, Mitch Phillips 3-1, Paul Radford 1-0, Simon Evans 5-0, Mike Collett 3-0, Kevin Fylan 4-0, Miles Evans 2-0, Julien Pretot 4-0, Mark Meadows 2-0, Asia Sports Desk 3-0, Neil Maidment 3-0, Justin Palmer 3-0, Martyn Herman 1-0, Soxley 2-1          

Playing on Sunday:
 Birmingham City v Manchester City: Patrick Johnston 0-1, Mitch Phillips 2-1, Paul Radford 0-3, Simon Evans 0-2, Mike Collett 1-1, Kevin Fylan 1-2, Miles Evans 1-2, Julien Pretot 2-2, Mark Meadows 1-2, Asia Sports Desk 0-3, Neil Maidment 1-3, Justin Palmer 1-2, Martyn Herman 0-3, Soxley 1-2

PHOTO: Robbie Keane (L) of Tottenham Hotspur is tackled by Arsenal's Bacary Sagna during their English Premier League soccer match at White Hart Lane in London February 8, 2009. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Eight-times grand slam winner Andre Agassi left the tennis world in a state of shock on Wednesday when he admitted using the recreational drug crystal meth and lying to men's governing body the ATP to escape a ban.

In his autobiography "Open", the American candidly describes being introduced to the drug in 1997 and the moment when he was informed he had failed a drugs test.

International Tennis Federation (ITF) president Francesco Ricci Bitti said he was "surprised and disappointed" by the revelations and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) chief John Fahey called on the ATP to "shed light" on the circumstances that allowed Agassi to escape sanction.

Should there be any punishment against the retired 39-year-old?

PHOTO: Andre Agassi of the U.S. looks on during an exhibition tennis match against compatriot Pete Sampras at Venetian Macao in Macau October 25, 2009. REUTERS/Bobby Yip