Too much, too soon

Firstly, a quick word on David Beckham. Much has been made of his move to LA Galaxy for more money a minute than many earn in a day, and while there was an inevitability about it, it could be rightly argued he has made the move too soon.

Steve Claridge, that stalwart of top-flight football-turned Sky pundit, made the rather impassioned argument this week that Beckham has turned his back on the game's elite and will never again compete for the top honours in the game.

He is, of course, right. The 31-year-old former Man United midfielder has already signed up to a Hollywood part in ‘Goal 3', the increasingly ridiculous football film series, and his face will undoubtedly be on ever billboard in California.

And good luck to him. But the reason for his decision to cash in should not be taken at face value. He chose to pack his bags and head stateside because of the termination of his England career.

One of the main objections United fans prior to Beckham's departure was that he was saving himself for England games. The boundless energy and commitment – perhaps typified by the game that will go down as his greatest, the 2-2 draw with Greece – was starting to go missing in United red where it was in full flow in England white.

He had become a legend at Old Trafford but wanted to do the same for his country, and the England captaincy meant the world to him.

Of course, things did not work out. His emotional resignation after England's defeat to Portugal at the World Cup last year was touching, and he has not donned the Three Lions shirt since.

Beckham's move to America is an admission that his England career is over. The MSL is just not taken seriously here – how can Steve McClaren pick him now? Whether Beckham can still do a job for England is up for debate, but by moving to a weaker league, he has made the case for a recall all the tougher.

Beckham has earned his twilight in the sun. Once a great player - the best crosser and dead ball specialist in world football - he should be revered as such. The likelihood is, however, given the crazy money involved and the paparazzi circus that he partly beings on himself, that he won't be.

Turning to money matters, it is a massive weekend at the top of the Premiership and I make no excuses for focusing my attention there.

Neither Liverpool or Chelsea find themselves in the best of form going into their Saturday lunchtime showdown. Liverpool's double humiliation at the hands of Arsenal was only marginally offset by their comfortable win at Watford, while speculation of unrest has been rife at Stamford Bridge this week.

The draw represents value at 9-4 with Coral as neither side looks in the form to be backed with any confidence at the short odds.

Arsenal and Manchester United – the second part of Sky's unbelievably American ‘Grand Slam Weekend' – is too close to call. Both sides have been in great form, and the tight odds reflect how evenly the sides are matched at the Emirates Stadium.

Paul Scholes is having one of his best seasons for United now the Old Trafford outfit have reverted to their more primal attacking instincts, and has a reasonable scoring record against Arsenal. He is a decent bet at 9-2 to score anytime with Coral.

For those who want to spice up Norwich's trip to Burnley, over 2.5 goals could be the way to go. Games involving the Canaries have yielded three goals or more in seven of their last ten fixtures, while Burnley have scored nine goals in their last six league games at home.

Insight

1pt Burnley v Norwich over 2.5 goals 11-10 (Bet365, Stan James, VC Bet)

2pts Draw Liverpool/Chelsea 9-4 (Coral)

1pt P Scholes to score anytime 9-2 (Coral)

Staking Plan

Min 0.5pt

Max 5pts

*Last week's results.

Birmingham's decision to break the world record for the number of new pitches laid in a week combined with the monsoon season coming early, meant our banker for the weekend against Leeds was postponed.

There was cause for a degree of vindication on Wednesday night, however, when Birmingham proved their wellbeing by pummelling Newcastle 5-1 in an FA Cup 3^rd Round replay at St James' Park.

Blackburn capped a disappointing week by going down a shade tamely at home to Arsenal. Despite the added bonus of Robbie Savage's acting skills enabling Gilberto to see red after less that a quarter of an hour, Mark Hughes' men failed to capitalise on the numerical advantage.

Cue all those who say ‘sometimes it is better to play with ten.' No it isn't. It really, really isn't. If a team moves the ball quickly enough and plays with width, ten should be no match for 11. Blackburn didn't, and they paid the price. Unfortunately, so did this column.