Midweek TV Preview: 25 - 28 October

Monday 25th October 2010

19:45 Napoli v AC Milan, Serie A, ESPN/ESPN HD
After a disappointing draw against Catania and the 0-0 snore-fest in the Europa League against Liverpool, here is a tasty fixture to liven up the Napoli fans. Not that they need much livening up mind.

19:45 Leeds United v Cardiff City, Championship, Sky Sports 1/HD1
Leeds fans may be a tad disappointed that they're not a little further up the table despite being a newly promoted side. Cardiff prosper despite the uncertainty surrounding their finances. A tribute to David Jones and his players.

Tuesday 26th October 2010

19:45 Fiorentina v Empoli, Coppa Italia 3rd Round, ESPN/ESPN HD
With the pressure easing slightly on the Viola after their 2-1 win against Bari, they enter this straightforward Cup game confident of victory. Their opponents are occasional visitors to the top flight and currently lie fifth in Serie B.

NB. At the end of ESPN UK's telecast of the Bayer Leverkusen v Mainz Bundesliga game they announced that they would be screening the Bayern Munich v Werder Bremen DFB Pokal match in this timeslot instead. However, I checked their official website at that says that they are showing the Coppa Italia match so who knows?

20:00 Man Utd v Wolves, Carling Cup 4th Round, Sky Sports 2/HD2/3D
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy will probably pick his first team just out of bloody mindedness for this one. New United manager Wayne Rooney will have to decide how important the League Cup is to him given their recent troubles in the Premier League.

Wednesday 27th October 2010

18:00 Ajax v Heerenveen, Dutch Eredivisie, ESPN/ESPN HD
A Dutch Double on ESPN tonight in the absence of anything more popular to put on. Despite their best efforts, the Amsterdam club are still find Twente above them in the table. Heerenveen are mid table so dropping points for the Amsterdam club should not be an option.

19:45 Newcastle United v Arsenal, Carling Cup 4th Round, Sky Sports 2/HD2
Be interesting to see if the Toon Army turn up in force for this one. Presumably Arsene will play a number of reserves but with a full house and a first XI an "upset" is on the cards.

20:00 Vitesse Arnhem v PSV Eindhoven, Dutch Eredivisie, ESPN/ESPN HD
Blimus! PSV beat Feyenoord 10(ten)-0 at the weekend. That's just not right is it? Vitesse caretaker coach Hans van Arum had best examine the Feyenoord performance on DVD and do the exact opposite to what they did.

Thursday 28th October 2010

19:45 Bari v Torino, Coppa Italia 3rd Round, ESPN/ESPN HD
Neither team are in scintillating form in their respective leagues so there's not much incentive for the non-Italophile. Nevertheless, this is a rare chance to see Torino since their return to Serie B.

19:45 Southport v Kidderminster, Blue Square Premier League, Premier Sports
The Harriers make the journey to Merseyside, presumably minus most of their core away support for a mid table clash on a Thursday evening in late October. Sorry, this TV deal is good for the Conference how?

Terry