Midweek TV Preview: March 30th - April 1st

(All times - UK)

Monday 30th March

19:45 Woking v Cambridge United, Blue Square Premier, Setanta Sports 1
With only one win in five, Woking's Conference status is in doubt. Cambridge are on a hot streak and would probably be top were it not for the fact that Burton are having a stunning season themselves. However, a rare win would see the home side out of the relegation zone.

Tuesday 31st March

19:45 Northern Ireland v Ukraine, U21 International, Sky Sports 1
The qualification for Denmark '11 begins before the Finals of Sweden '09 which does not take place until the Summer. Given the obvious fixture congestion it seems odd to have a round of friendly internationals burdening the international fixture computer, but there it is.

20:00 England v France, U21 International, Setanta Sports 1
Quite why it should be necessary to inflict said friendlies on a TV audience is equally baffling. For this match the question on everyone's lips is 'will Matt Derbyshire get called into England's senior team?'

Wednesday 1st April

10:00 Uzbekistan v Australia, World Cup Qualifier, British Eurosport 2
Yay Eurosport: Heroes of the unemployed. The Socceroo's visit to Uzbekistan kicks of this Asian Qualifier double header and provides the starting point of a top day of international football which does not stop 'till 4 in the morning (in TV Land the day officially runs from 6am to 6am). We here at SPAOTP are thinking of calling it the Wednesday Wall Of Football, or Wednesday Madness or Big Wednesday. Any suggestions? The Aussies are unbeaten in the group and six points ahead of their hosts. Avoiding injury will probably be the priority.

12:00 South Korea v North Korea, World Cup Qualifier, British Eurosport & British Eurosport HD
The Big One (sort of). The home side have dominated this keenly consisted fixture in recent years. Needless to say the South Koreans have benefited from exporting their players to foreign leagues and have a robust domestic league. The north have more pressing concerns like famine and oppression on account of them being ruled by a nutter. Having said that, the North are only two points behind their neighbours at the top and have played a game less. With the chasing pack taking points off each other, the prospect of both Korean nations going to South Africa is becoming more of a reality.

17:30 Scotland v Albania, UEFA U21 European Qualifier, Sky Sports 2
So here we go then. The road to Copenhagen starts here. Well actually, the Scots have just returned from Albania for the reverse fixture last Friday and have a 1-0 away win to show for their labours.

19:45 Northern Ireland v Slovenia, World Cup Qualifier, Sky Sports 3
The Ulstermen sit proudly atop their group after that fantastic knockabout win over Poland. Nigel Worthington's men will be an entirely different proposition to the team that caved in against Slovenia last October.

19:45 Scotland v Iceland, World Cup Qualifier, Sky Sports 2 & HD2
Our man in Scotland, Seb (who in fact lives in Holland) had some pretty strong words to say about George Burley after his team were beaten 3-0. A home fixture against Iceland should prove less of a challenge assuming the away side's travel company doesn't go bankrupt and they can't make the trip.

19:45 Wales v Germany, World Cup Qualifier, Sky Sports 1
Right so losing at home to Finland is not ideal preparation for meeting the Germans. However, John Toshack is a good manager and will know how cumbersome a German defence can be. Especially now that they are missing Hertha Berlin's captain Arne Friedrich due to injury. Could be an upset at the Arms Park.

20:00 England v Ukraine, World Cup Qualifier, ITV1 & ITV HD
Depleted after what was supposed to be a warm up match against Slovakia, England are looking for goals without strikers. Darren Bent is called up but fans should not be surprised if the 'Crazy Man' finds Steven Gerrard standing next to him come Wednesday night. A fact that will make Messrs Bent, Owen and Davies feeling even better about themselves I'm sure. Meanwhile, the Ukrainians have the Bundesliga's in-form striker Andrei Voronin with a point to prove perhaps.

02:00 (Thursday morning) Brazil v Peru, World Cup Qualifier, Sky Sports 1
Hard to see anything but a Brazil wine here. Peru are bottom, the ban by FIFA, who got the nark with the Peruvian Government for interfering with the national FA, was lifted just before the start of this qualification period. Striker Claudio Pizarro is in bother with the Man and faces a lengthy ban if found guilty of acting as a player's agent which is forbidden. It's a bad scene all round for Peruvian football and an away win would be a minor miracle.