Midweek TV Preview: 16 - 18 November

Tuesday 16 November

19:45 Woking v Brighton & Hove Albion, FA Cup 1st Round Replay, ESPN/ESPN HD
It's another international break so this week's TV Preview begins with a Tuesday outing for Gus Poyet's team. They'll be trying to avoid becoming another name on the long list of Cup shocks but will have to do so without star player Kazenga Lua Lua. He broke his ankle against Hartlepool at the weekend and won't be back for 10 weeks.

20:00 Scotland v Faroe Islands International Friendly, Sky Sports 1 / HD1
Craig Levein's had no less than ten withdrawals from his squad ahead of this game, and one of those was a replacement for one of the first nine. Difficult to know how much value the Scots can attach to a friendly involving such poor opposition. Whether the feeling's mutual for the Faroe Islanders, we'll leave to your imagination.

Wednesday 17 November

17:00 Argentina v Brazil, International Friendly, ESPN/ESPN HD
Kudos to ESPN for snapping up this one. Matches between these two teams are barely ever 'friendly' due to the intense rivalry they've harboured over the years. This match, taking place in Qatar, sees Ronaldinho making his long-awaited return to the Selecao after an 18-month absence from the squad. Token gesture or clever team selection? You decide...

19:30 Sweden v Germany International Friendly, ESPN/ESPN HD
Borussia Dortmund's surge to the top of the Bundesliga is reflected in the selection of several BVB players by Joachim Loew. Among the young guns appearing on the team sheet against the Swedes are Marcel Schmelzer, Mario Goetze, Kevin Grosskreutz and Mats Hummels. An avoidance of the 4-1 pummeling against the Dutch recently will be Erik Hamren's first priority for his side.

19:45 Northern Ireland v Morocco, International Friendly, Sky Sports 2
Like Scotland, Northern Ireland have also seen ten players withdraw from their squad. Things are now looking so bad for Nigel Worthington that he's having to call up Aberdeen players as replacements. Who'd be a manager, eh?

19:45 Republic of Ireland v Norway, International Friendly, Sky Sports 1
After a World Cup qualifying defeat to Russia and a draw against Slovenia, Ireland need some reassuring that they're still a force to reckon with, but guess what?  Yes, there's injuries a plenty in the Irish squad so once again some of the younger, less experienced charges could be given a rare chance to shine. Hooray for the youth, that's what we say.

20:00 England v France, International Friendly, ITV1/ITV HDFabio's rather erratic squad selections of late leave us with no idea who'll be donning the white shirts to face France, but it should be an interesting match (as meaningless friendlies go) between two evenly matched teams. France are in good form under Laurent Blanc and will be keen to get a confidence boost under the famous Wembley arch.

Thursday 18 November

19:45 Ebbsfleet United v AFC Wimbledon, FA Cup 1st Round Replay, ESPN / ESPN HD
The Big One is on. If the New Wombles can grab a win at Stonebridge Road they'll be half-way towards a mammoth coming-together of earth-shattering proportions against M***** K***** D***. Oh, and apparently Ebbsfleet will be pleased with a win too.

19:45 Rushden & Diamonds v York City, Blue Square Premier League, Premier Sports
These two teams faced each other back in September, the result being a 2-0 win for York. Sadly for the Minstermen, their form ever since has been poor while their opponents remain keen contenders for a promotion place to League Two.

Chris O