Brazil vs Italy

Brazil are being tipped as favourites for what the press have dubbed "the World Derby". The World Champions 2002 will square off with the World Champions 2006. Should Italy avoid defeat tonight at the Emirates Stadium they will set a new world record of 32 international games unbeaten - a statistic meticulous mastermind Marcello Lippi will be all to aware of. Dunga and Brazil will look to play their usual free-flowing samba football to light up a murky London sky - hoping to add to the 16 goals they've scored in their last 6 games. Italy have scored just 9 in their last 6 games but can rely on their ever-ready defense to bail them out of sticky encounters.
Kaka and Luis Fabiano will miss out through injury whilst Amauri has been blocked from participating by Juventus (boo). Pato and Ronaldinho will likely be handed starts whilst Gilberto Silva could have a North London reunion.
For the Champions, Daniele De Rossi may have to sit this game out whilst Gilardino may be told to lead the line on his own (long...ball....yawn).
Potentially, this could be a sensational game exhibiting some of the most exciting players in world football. More realistically, Lippi and his boys will be playing for a (metaphorical) point - hoping tomorrows headlines are instead taken up by news of Italy's heroic 32nd consecutive avoidance of defeat.

Needless to say, this game needs an early goal. Both sides have a very contrasting style which normally means it's up to the star players to impose their team's will on the opponents. I just think Brazil will have too much for the Italians who may rely to heavily on their midfield line holding back the offensive Brazilians.

Prediction : Brazil 1:0

West Ham vs Manchester United

Manchester United bid for their 13th successive Premier League clean sheet today at Upton Park whilst West Ham aim to make it 7 League games without defeat. This is set to be a close clash.
Manchester United have only won 1 of their last 9 games in London though Sir Alex Ferguson claims "it does not concern" him. Why should it? The Red Devils have looked rock-solid at the back despite having to constantly chop and change the back 4. Such antics are no longer required as all the first choice defenders bar Gary Neville (or Rafael da Silva if your ambitious)are available. Even so, the troublesome right-back role cam be filled by the returning Wes Brown. United's strike force is bolstered by the returning Wayne Rooney - bad news for the ever impressive work-horse Carlos Tevez who looks set to lose his place in the starting line-up to his English equivalent. United's midfield will contain Cristiano Ronaldo (joint 2nd top scorer in the League with 11 goals despite not hitting top gear) and Michael Carrick who is having the season of his life. Carrick may get the chance to impress Fabio Cappello who make drop in on both this game and the North London derby - the venues less than 30 minutes apart. The final two midfield spots for the Champions will be filled by a combination of Park, Giggs, Scholes and Fletcher.
A win for West Ham really heats things up in terms of European prospects as the Hammers could go 7th. Gianfranco will send his boys out with the same no-fear attitude he took as a player saying; "everyone has weaknesses and it's up to us to exploit that. We are very confident right now. We play at home and we want to win the game." If they are going to win the game, it will be without Dyer, Gabbidon and Ashton - though England's goal-machine Carlton Cole will start.
Of late, it has seemed as if one goal is all Manchester United need to win is one goal. With this potent attack, I wouldn't back against them getting it. Manchester United are like a shark with the scent of blood when it comes to regaining the top spot in the Premier League so I cannot back against them winning today.

Tottenham vs Arsenal

The North London derby is always packed with goals and excitement. This instance should be no different. A win would put the Gunners 3 points behind 4th place Chelsea, whilst a loss would leave them 6 points off that elusive Champions League spot. This appears to be an area to watch as either one of Arsenal, Chelsea or Villa will miss the top 4 come the end of the season. A win for Spurs could see them go 13th and 4 points above the dreaded drop zone. Arsenal are without Abou Diaby but welcome new boy Andrei Arshavin to the squad. Tottenham miss suspendee David Bentley and the injured Alan Hutton - though new/old boy Robbie Keane is back to lead his new/old side.
Arsenal may give Andrei Arshavin a run out but certainly will not start the Russian. He severely lacks match fitness and cannot risk injury. There may be a warm feeling in the heart of every football fan as Eduardo looks set to return. He probably wont get a kick in this game, but looks like being included in the squad. We all wish him the best and it will be great to see the Croat taking his applause - even from the ol' North London rivals if he is named in the squad.
Nobody can forget the recent 4-4 draw between these two sides in their last League meeting (during Spurs' mini-revival in Redknapp's honeymoon period) and neutrals will be hoping for similar fireworks today. Villa and Chelsea fans alike will be hoping for Spurs to pull of an upset, whilst all teams involved in the relegation scrap will be praying for a comprehensive Arsenal victory.
It will be interesting to see if Tottenham play anything like the, erm..., old Tottenham after re-signing the likes of Chimbonda, Defoe and Keane. Perhaps Redknapp wants to inject some of the Carling Cup winning spirit back into the underachievers.
Home advantage/fairytale potential leads me to believe there may just be an upset in the air here.