Reading v Southampton - Early kick-off

By David Lee Wheatley

Adkins faces former employers

The early match in the Premier League today throws up an intriguing clash between two clubs in relegation danger.

Nigel Adkins got sacked by Southampton in January and now he heads up a Reading side 7 points adrift of safety. The decision to sack Adkins was widely condemned, but his replacement Pochettino has continued the former manager's good work, taking the Saints to within probably two wins of safety.

Southampton travel to Reading on the back of a stunning victory at home to Chelsea last weekend and will see the clash at the Madejski Stadium as a huge opportunity to almost seal their Premier League status.

Reading on the other hand are still getting used to their new boss and don't have any time to waste. They lie 7 points away from Wigan and Aston Villa above them, while sharing the same amount of points as QPR at the bottom.

Adkins has a massive task on his hands to keep Reading up and will view today's game as a must-win. He'll look to the Royals' fans to help propel the team on to three points that would put the Berkshire club back in the hunt for a place above the drop zone.

However, Southampton striker Rickie Lambert, highest English goalscorer in the Premier League, is bang in form and the 31-year-old will give the home defence no end of problems.

I can see an exciting match materialising from two teams producing attacking football in a bid to end the match on top. I think Adkins' old side will have just a little too much for his new one and will sneak the victory.

If Reading fail to win, it'll look increasingly likely that they'll be playing Championship football again next season.

You can follow me on Twitter: @davewh1980

Mourinho's next move

By David Lee Wheatley

Jose wants English return

Real Madrid meet Galatasaray tonight in a Champions League quarter-final first leg tie, whilst Real head coach Jose Mourinho continues to play cat-and-mouse with English clubs over a return to these shores.

The former Chelsea boss makes no secret of his desire to make England his next destination after he completes his Spanish odyssey in Madrid, but refuses to go further in confirming or denying that this summer will see his long-awaited Premier League reappearance.

The darling of the English media, Jose has endured a much frostier relationship with the Spanish press (as well as the Italians when with Inter) and his constant bickering with Spanish football writers is one reason why his leaving Madrid will be imminent.

The Portuguese tactician repeatedly states his love of England and the country's football, while pointing out that it is certain that he "must be back" in the British Isles to manage a team at some point.

He speaks of a possible return to his "home" Chelsea, while also making off-the-cuff suggestions of an interest in the two Manchester clubs.

This angling and posturing is all part of another Mourinho masterplan to eventually facilitate a move back to the Premier League where he is loved and adored by the majority of the media and fans alike. Rumours of PSG interest in him have muddied the waters somewhat, but he maintains England as his preferred destination should he opt to leave Madrid between this summer and 2016 when his current contract runs out at the Bernabeu.

With Alex Ferguson looking likely to remain at the Old Trafford helm for some time yet, it'd appear that former club Chelsea and Roberto Mancini's Manchester City are the most appealing candidate clubs for Jose to join. Mancini is under pressure after losing his grip on the league title he won last season, and in this era of short memories at board level, it'd be no surprise if Mancini was given the boot this summer.

However, Stamford Bridge still has to be the number one choice for Mourinho if a deal can be brokered. He enjoyed massive success there the first time around, he's still loved by the fans there and reports suggest he and owner Roman Abramovich have kissed and made up after an acrimonious departure from his first spell in west London.

Interim Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez made it clear he will leave the club at the end of the season after the barrage of abuse he's suffered at the hands of some supporters, therefore leaving the path clear for a triumphant return of the 'Special One' to the Blues' hot seat.

Follow me on Twitter: @davewh1980

Champions League quarter-final - PSG v Barcelona

By David Lee Wheatley

Barca squander late advantage

Barcelona living legend Lionel Messi gave the Catalans a half-time lead in Paris, but the home side hit back to grab a draw from the jaws of defeat in the Parc des Princes this evening.

Messi gave the visitors a 38th-minute lead after a fine ball from Dani Alves put the little Argentine through on goal. The Brazilian wing-back hit the pass with the outside of his right foot, finding Messi on the left side of the box. The outcome of the move was never in doubt, as he smashed the ball emphatically into the bottom corner.

The goalscoring phenomenon went off with a hamstring strain shortly after, though, and Barcelona seemed to become more laboured after the break. Still, they kept control over the middle of the park against a somewhat pedestrian PSG midfield until Carlo Ancelotti started to bring fresh legs into the fray.

Ibrahimovic was largely ineffectual when given the ball in advanced areas and he was becoming frustrated at losing possession so readily. However, Barca gave away a silly free-kick 30 yards from goal, which was sent in for Thiago Silva to latch on to. The captain nodded on to the left-hand post with the rebound finding Ibrahimovic in an offside position. The officials failed to spot that rather important fact and the Swede muscled his way in front of his marker to equalise against his former club.

With a minute remaining of normal time, Alexis went through and invited the foul from the keeper. He was clipped slightly and went into a forward roll to make sure he got the referee's call. Xavi stepped up to coolly slot home for a 2-1 advantage.

It looked likely that Barcelona would go back home with a clear lead, but in injury-time Ibrahimovic knocked a cross down to Matuidi on the edge of the box, who dispatched a shot that took a minimal deflection to wrong-foot Valdes and that was enough to take the ball past the despairing right hand of the Barca goalkeeper.

Two away goals puts Barcelona in the strongest position going into the second leg, but Paris Saint-Germain remain in the tie ahead of the Camp Nou clash.

Barcelona will desperately hope to have Messi available for the second leg, but should his hamstring injury keep him out, then it'll be all to play for in the Catalan capital.

Follow me on Twitter: @davewh1980

Premier League run-in - Drop zone

By David Lee Wheatley

Relegation fight hots up

QPR and Reading are looking strong favourites for a return to the Championship after the most recent round of results over the Easter weekend, but the other relegation spot is still very much in the melting pot.

Only three points separate Newcastle United, Sunderland, Wigan Athletic (who have a game in hand on the others) and Aston Villa. All sides face tough fixtures during the run-in and it is almost impossible to predict which of them may be dragged down to the division below by May 19th.

Sunderland decided to part company with manager Martin O'Neill in a desperate bid to propel themselves out of harm's way, replacing the genial Irishman with the confident, charismatic and controversial Italian fire-brand Paolo Di Canio. The club's hierachy wil hope his passion and determination will inspire a Sunderland side without a win in the last eight matches.

Newcastle United attempted to buy their way out of trouble when signing a raft of players during the January transfer window. Initially, it appeared the plan had worked with a brief upturn in results, but the Magpies have stalled somewhat and have been left looking over their shoulders at Villa and Wigan just 3 points adrift of them; Alan Pardew will view the Tyne-Wear derby on April 14th as a potentially make-or-break match-up.

Aston Villa suffered a home defeat to Liverpool at the weekend after back-to-back victories had put them in a slightly healthier state. That setback will be further compounded by the fact that their goal difference is the worst in the Premier League currently, which could come into play on the final day of reckoning this season.

Wigan are renowned for their ability to escape relegation scraps at the last-minute and they will be confident of repeating the feat with a tasty-looking tie against Aston Villa on the last day of the campaign, not to mention the fact that the fantastic cup run Wigan have been on has left them with a league game in hand on all those around them. Their run to the FA Cup semi-finals (and possibly beyond) will give them momentum that will be hard to stop.

It's difficult to predict the teams that will make the eventual drop into Championship football, but at this moment in time it's looking like QPR, Reading and Aston Villa are set for demotion this time around.

Follow me on Twitter: @davewh1980