We think Shane Warne will pick up at least a couple wickets at the MCG on Saturday
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1. Warne backs up his talk
There are not too many times when Shane Warne would admit to being embarrassed … well, not on a cricket pitch! But last weekend's disaster against cross-town rivals the Melbourne Renegades (being taken for 0-41 off just two overs and dropping an easy catch), just days after suggesting he was bowling well enough to consider a return to the Australian Test team, must have surely caused him to blush. To his credit, Warne has remained confident in his bowling and refuses to back away from his comments, which means he must be a great deal more confident about taking wickets at his spiritual home, the MCG, this weekend. He will have his work cut out for him against one of the best batting line-ups in the league in the Hobart Hurricanes, but we back him to snare at least two wickets and lead his side to victory. - BH
2. City bounce back against Newcastle
The recriminations and blame shifting going on at Manchester City are to be expected after a derby loss that saw them fall six points behind Manchester United at the top of the table. Manager Roberto Mancini was quick to point the finger at Samir Nasri for not being in the right position in the wall to let through Robin Van Persie's injury-time winner. Nasri wasn't alone in copping the wrath on Mancini, with Mario Balotelli subbed off in the second half, spitting the dummy and storming down into the dressing rooms and being told to seriously think about his position. Both Balotelli and Nasri will be seeking redemption this weekend and, assuming they get a start, travelling to meet the struggling Magpies may just give both players an opportunity to get back in their manager's good books. - BH
3. Senior's golden summer lingers on
After becoming the oldest winner of the Australian Open, 53-year-old Peter Senior made no secret of his desire to add another tournament victory to his CV at Coolum this weekend. With two wins in the past three years, Senior is enjoying a late-career renaissance on the domestic tour, emerging as one of the most consistent Aussies each summer. He began well with a four-under round on Thursday, proving his form from the Lakes has continued. Expect Stuart Appleby and Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke to bob up at some stage, but Senior's unerring game should see him right in the mix on Sunday afternoon. Unless, of course, Clive Palmer's giant dinosaur gets in the way. - MR
4. Victory get their revenge on Roar
Melbourne - and their coach Ange Postecoglou - were humiliated in the two teams' first encounter this season, when the Roar went on a five-goal rampage in round two to send a message to their former coach. However, Victory have improved dramatically since that low point, winning five of their next eight, while Brisbane have won just twice. Melbourne's suspect defence was on display again last weekend when Adelaide put four first-half goals into the net, but the return of Mark Milligan should shore it up somewhat. Archie Thompson will also resume his usual place up front, giving Victory a far more potent attack. Expect plenty of goals, but Melbourne to score most of them in front of their home crowd. - MR
5. Phil Hughes fails to make an impression
Selectors have given a strong indication that Phil Hughes wasn't picked for the series against South Africa because they wanted to shield him from the No.1 attack in Test cricket. That may prove to be a wise move, but Hughes will have nowhere to hide on the most bowler-friendly pitch in the country at Bellerive. While Hughes will struggle to make the big runs that will lock him in as a permanent member of the side, he won't be on his own with many more established batsmen from both teams falling cheaply. As always, a pitch that offers the bowlers plenty should provide entertaining cricket and will definitely deliver a result. With the Sri Lankan pace bowling attack lacking experience, look for the Aussies to go 1-0 up heading into the Boxing Day Test. - BH
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