The Wallabies are destined for another walloping when they meet England at Twickenham
Photo: Getty Images
1. Thompson shows no signs of fatigue
You would expect the fact that Archie Thompson started for the Socceroos midweek, rather than making his usual cameo from the bench, would lessen his impact for Melbourne Victory this week. But Melbourne comes up against the Central Coast Mariners, a side Thompson has an incredible record against, and after going goalless at international level for the first time in a long time he will be as hungry as ever to get on the scorers' sheet. The Victory, fresh from their coach-killing comeback against Sydney FC last week, will want to convert more of their opportunities this week, coming up against the most in-form side in the competition. - BH
2. North London stalemate
Now is the time, so says many Spurs fans, for the changing of the guard in one of English football's most intense rivalries. Tottenham haven't finished above Arsenal in the Premier League since 1995, but White Hart Lane smells blood. Saturday's derby has the potential to be an entertaining score draw, particularly if Arsenal are in as loose a mood as their 3-3 draw at home to Fulham. Gareth Bale will be confident of causing mayhem among his opponents' increasingly inept defenders, but Tottenham are not exactly a team in form either. You cannot help but think that Arsenal's attack of Oliver Giroud, Lukas Podolski and Theo Walcott will be well oiled enough, at home, to provide plenty of chances. This encounter reeks of the sort of dramatic game where momentum will swing to and fro, with 2-2 a potential result. - BS
3. Wallabies fall at Twickenham
We are not the only ones to note, with head in hands, that the 33-6 belting by France represents yet another example of Robbie Deans' Australia taking two steps back for their one forward. Following the encouraging and courageous 18-all draw with New Zealand, the Wallabies returned to the game that would put school teams to shame. An amazing 29 turnovers conceded tells its own story, while a familiar lack of focus when in promising attacking positions reared its head again. They desperately miss the guidance of Will Genia, though the potential return of Berrick Barnes at fullback may help in this area against England (although that is clutching at straws). They won’t win at Twickenham, with England looking in good nick and eyeing with relish an Australian pack pulverised in Paris. A young and hungry English front row will see their weary opponents as ripe for dismantling, while England's lineout was pretty much perfect in their thrashing of Fiji. In the backs, Ben Tapuai can expect a hellish, and probably very costly, afternoon marking Manu Tuilagi. England by 10-15 points. - BS
4. Whincup takes title at a canter
Triple Eight's Jamie Whincup needs to take home just four more points than Ford Performance Racing's Mark Winterbottom at Winton this weekend to take an unassailable lead in the championship race. Whincup, who could still be stripped of points through penalties, has said he will hold off on celebrating until the Sydney Telstra 500 later this month, but this is surely lip service. Winton is FPR's test track, which you would think will give Winterbottom an advantage, but the Ford factory team has struggled at the track in recent times while Triple Eight has always performed strongly. There is no reason to believe this weekend will be any different. - BH
5. Vettel celebrates century in style
Formula One championship leader Sebastian Vettel will race in his 100th race at the brand new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. It is unlikely he will be able to wrap up the title this weekend, with Fernando Alonso just 10 points behind him, but a win would mean he wouldn't even need to finish on the podium in Brazil to become the youngest triple-champion in the sport's history. Vettel strung together four victories through the Asian leg of the championship and Red Bull certainly has the pace to suggest they will be unstoppable at a new circuit. If Vettel does achieve victory it will be the 27th win of his career, giving him a formidable winning percentage and closing in on Schumacher's record, which continues to get worse as his career drags on. - BH
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