Football: Macedonians Pobeda facing match-fixing inquiry.

Byline: Dan Childs

UEFA have accused the President of Macedonian team FK Pobeda and one of their players of fixing a Champions League match five years ago, writes Dan Childs.

The organisation received reports of irregular betting patterns relating to a July 2004 qualifying match between Pobeda and Pyunik Yerevan, which was won 3-1 by the Armenian visitors.

The charges - which apply to former president Acule Zabrcanec and an unnamed player - follow a statement by Uefa president Michel Platini stressing the need to get tough.

He said: "Illegal betting can kill our sport, If the results are fixed in advance, soccer has no reason to exist."

Arsenal's Premier League title hopes may have disappeared but the club have a key role to pay during the run-in.

The Gunners play host to Chelsea and visit Liverpool and Manchester United in the remaining weeks of the season and Victor Chandler are betting on how many points they will take from those key matches. The firm make four the narrow 3-1 favourite.

Southend's chances of beating Hartlepool in tonight's League One clash are hampered by the absence of injured strikeduo Dougie Freedman and James Walker. The Shrimpers are 4-5 to bag all three points.

Nottingham Forest have boosted their Championship survival hopes by signing QPR forward Dexter Blackstock on loan until the end of the season.

Victor Chandler - Arsenal points in remaining games against Liverpool, Chelsea and Man Utd: 3 four, 4 three, 9-2 one, 7 six, two, 10 none, seven, 20 nine.