Weekend TV Preview: 17 - 19 September

Friday 17th September

19:45 Doncaster Rovers v Leeds United, Championship, Sky Sports 3/HD3
No Bundesliga action tonight thanks to ESPN's recent acquisition of the egg chasers league. A scheduling decision that will have Deutschephiles everywhere spitting blood in fury (geddit?).

19:45 Luton Town v AFC Wimbledon, Blue Square Premier League, Premier Sports
'Twas a time when this match would have been an old old First Division fixture. Of course, it would never have made it on the telly with a "Big Five" obsessed ITV calling the shots back then. Twenty odd years, numerous relegations plus a relocation later and these two once loathed clubs are deemed camera worthy. Sunrise, sunset.


Saturday 18th September

12:00 Inverness CT v Hearts, SPL, ESPN/ESPN HD
Only two wins between these two. Cally managed a point against Hearts' city rivals Hibs last week. Can they go two better? Watch and find out. Go on, don't be shy.

12:45 Stoke City v West Ham Utd, Premier League, Sky Sports 2/HD2
While Avram incurs the wrath of some of the more secular Hammers, his charges travel to a Stoke side who tasted the blood of a team in claret and blue only as recently as last week, and they liked it.

17:20 Hull City v Nottingham Forest, Championship, Sky Sports 2/HD2
Neither team can be entirely pleased with their start to the season. This is good news for the ever growing rump of Forest fans who are sharpening their blades ready to plunge the knife into their uber-objectionable manager Billy Davies.

17:30 Sunderland v Arsenal, Premier League, ESPN/ESPN HD
Decent game if you like this sort of thing. Sunderland fans can look forward to the prospect of new signing Asamoah Gyan starting up front with Darren Bent. Arsenal fans can look forward to an away win.

19:00 Sporting Gijon v Athletic Bilbao, La Liga, Sky Sports 4/HD4
The LagerLiga is still wiping the sleepy dust from its eyes so it's difficult to gauge the prospects of either if these teams. Both are off the mark, however, with a win a-piece.

19:45 AC Milan v Catania, Serie A, ESPN/ESPN HD
Here's hoping that Milan's new 4-1-5 formation is deployed. If so this game should give Strictly Come Dancing a run for its cash.

21:00 Real Sociedad v Real Madrid, La Liga, Sky Sports 4/HD4
Sociedad are back in La Liga with a bang after a win against Villareal and a point at Almeria. Madrid are yet to hit their stride if Wednesday's Champions League win against Ajax is anything to go by. Could an early season upset be on the cards, I wonder?

03:30 LA Galaxy v DC United, MLS, ESPN/ESPN HD (Sunday morning)
DC are buoyed by a rare win but must travel to an almost all conquering Galaxy who recently welcomed back himself after a long injury.


Sunday 19th September

11:30 Feyenoord v Ajax, Dutch Eredivisie, ESPN/ESPN HD
The Amsterdam club are quick out of the blocks this season. With Luis Suarez still at Ajax and off the mark again, Martin Jol's team will be confident ahead of their clash with a misfiring Feyenoord. Should be tremendous value.

12:15 Kilmarnock v Celtic, SPL, Sky Sports 4/HD4
Killie have been impressive for the last two games with victories over Aberdeen and St Mirren. Celtic have a 100% record in the SPL so that, along with their status as Alphas in Scotland, must make them favourites. I don't know, though. The Bhoys have a soft underbelly that I think could be tickled by a clever underdog with a passionate crowd spurring them on.

13:30 Man Utd v Liverpool, Premier League, Sky Sports 1/HD1/3D
The Big One. Although perhaps lacking that glossy sheen these days. Liverpool have yet to get themselves together this season while United had trouble breaking down Rangers in the week. Could be a dour defensive match unless United score early.

16:00 Chelsea v Blackpool, Premier League, Sky Sports 1/HD1
Not the turkey shoot you might have expected when looking at this fixture before the start of the season. However, it's a bit of a stretch to think that anyone can beat Chelsea at the Bridge, let alone Blackpool.

17:15 FC Schalke v Borussia Dortmund Bundesliga, ESPN/ESPN HD
Second half only I'm afraid as ESPN bump the first half of biggest derby game in Europe this weekend for more egg chasing. Schalke have lost their first three games of the season and coach Felix Magath is feeling the heat. Dortmund are in great nick after a 4-3 Europa League win in Lviv and a 2-0 win against (Steve McClaren's) Wolfsburg last weekend. Schalke to win, then.

18:00 Atletico Madrid v Barcelona, La Liga, Sky Sports 1/HD1/ Red Button
Atleti look to emulate the mighty Hercules and beat the also mighty Barca. Alas I fear a mighty whirlwind will be reaped.

19:45 Sampdoria v Napoli, Serie A, ESPN/ESPN HD
Hooyah! Two of Serie A's more dashing teams help to take our minds off the impending Monday horror. Napoli are taking their time to get going this season unlike a Samp team who seem unfazed by their heartbreaking exit from the Champions League.

20:00 Malaga v Sevilla, La Liga, Sky Sports 1/HD1
Sevilla are another team who have shrugged off their Champions League failure and are unbeaten going up against a Malaga team who thrashed Zaragoza 5-3 last weekend.

If you're a European football fan, go ahead and download the European Football Special superpod featuring the guys from Sound Of Football, Twofootedtackle, Just Football and Cynical Challenge.


Bundesliga fans - don't forget to check out the Bundesbag's Bundesliga Week 4 preview.

Terry