Midweek TV Preview: 23 - 25 November

Monday 22 November

20:00 Sunderland v Everton, Premier League, Sky Sports 1 / HD1
The way Sunderland are going, their manager Steve Bruce needs to careful he doesn't end up tagged with the curse of the "next England manager". Everton are good but not that good. Their need for a first win since October should force them on the front foot and make for a lively game.


Tuesday 23 November

17:30 Spartak Moscow v Marseille, Champions League Matchday 5, Sky Sports 4 / HD4
Spartak haven't won anywhere in November and lost the big derby game against CSKA at the weekend. Both themselves and OM are on six points so this makes for an exciting showdown for second spot in the group.

19:45 Chelsea v Zilina, Champions League Matchday 5, Sky Sports 2 / HD2 / 3D
The Slovakian club were mullered 7-0 by Marseille at their place in the last round. Moreover, Zilina lost their first league game of the season on Saturday to second placed Senica. That's one loss in seventeen! Chelsea are hardly in great shape themselves but if they can't beat this lot...

19:45 Braga v Arsenal, Champions League Matchday 5, Sky Sports 4 / HD4
The Gunners were supposed to be the Alphas of this groups. However, defeat to the Shakthar club and again in the North London derby would have had Braga scenting blood were it not for the fact that they are not in great shape either.

19:45 Partizan Belgrade v Shakhtar Donetsk, Champions League Matchday 5, Sky Sports Interactive
A hostile welcome is in store for Donetsk. The Ukrainian's fantastic result against Arsenal has blown the top three of this group open. Now all they need is a win against a beatable Partizan team to put them in the box seat for the final round of games.

19:45 Ajax v Real Madrid, Champions League Matchday 5, Sky Sports Interactive
Those dropped points at Milan did for Real's chances of turning the last two games into dead rubbers. A tricky away tie at a feisty Ajax team will be a test of metal for Jose's men.

19:45 Auxerre v AC Milan, Champions League Matchday 5, Sky Sports Interactive
The home side twitched somewhat in the last game against Ajax. Nevertheless, Milan look set to establish some distance in second place, assuming everything goes to plan in Amsterdam.

19:45 Roma v Bayern Munich, Champions League Matchday 5, Sky Sports Interactive
Ranieri's team are back back back after a dismal start to the season and will fancy having a tilt at a Bayern team who are through to the next round and all but group winners. This is just as well as Roma need the points.

19:45 Basle v Cluj, Champions League Matchday 5, Sky Sports Interactive
Especially if Basle win this very winnable game against Cluj.


Wednesday 24 November

17:30 Rubin Kazan v Copenhagen, Champions League Matchday 5, Sky Sports 4 / HD4
Even if the recently deposed Russian champions were to beat the Danes they would still need to recoup another point in the final round to overhaul their opponents in second place. It's looking good for FCK.

18:00 Udinese V Lecce , Coppa Italia 4th Round, ESPN / ESPN HD
Alternatively, if you hate Russia and are allergic to pigs then why not watch the Coppa Italia on ESPN. I think you'll be the only one.

19:45 Tottenham Hotspur v Werder Bremen, Champions League Matchday 5, Sky Sports 2 / HD2 / 3D
Spurs have been tremendous value in the Champions League this season and will be super-confident after their aforementioned derby win. Bremen, on the other hand have been atrocious lately and were shelled 4-0 by Schalke on Saturday. Despite that, I wouldn't put too much money on a home win.

19:45 Inter Milan v FC Twente, Champions League Matchday 5, Sky Sports Interactive
Inter's eccentric form coupled with Twente's surprising quality have helped make Group A the most entertaining in the competition. Still and all, the home side should be able to negotiate their way passed the Dutch.

19:45 Rangers v Man Utd, Champions League Matchday 5, ITV1 / ITV HD
This match will certainly generate more eyeballs for ITV's advertiser that the Spurs game and possibly as much drama. Rangers are tough hombres and United are not at their best. Definite potential shock.

19:45 Valencia v Bursaspor, Champions League Matchday 5, Sky Sports Interactive
Bursaspor look pretty dead but Valencia may want to add another couple of extra rounds in the chamber, just in case.

19:45 Panathinaikos v Barcelona, Champions League Matchday 5, Sky Sports 4 / HD4
Pana kicked their legs an giggled a bit while Barca tickled their bellies in the reverse fixture. The Catalans probably need to win their next two games to be certain of progression. Could be a nervous encounter.

19:45 Hapoel Tel-Aviv v Benfica, Champions League Matchday 5, Sky Sports Interactive
An win for third placed Benfica will leave them very handy for the final round against Schalke who are currently in third. No matter what the Gelsenkirchen club do in this round, the Portuguese club will know that a win will see them through.

19:45 Schalke 04 v Lyon, Champions League Matchday 5, Sky Sports Interactive
Not that that will be too easy. Schalke have been decent enough in the Champions League and are finally getting themselves together in the Bundesliga. Raul scored a hat trick against Bremen last Saturday and Lyon may have to wait until the next round against Hapoel to secure a place in the knock out stage.


Thursday 25 November

19:45 Histon v Bath City, Blue Square Premier League, Premier Sports
This is more like it. Two non-league clubs as opposed to two ex-league clubs. Histon are hovering above the relegation zone thanks to two straight defeats. Bath are comfortably mid-table and unbeaten in four.

19:45 Cagliari v Bologna, Coppa Italia 4th Round, ESPN / ESPN HD
No points between these two in the league. Caglieri won in their last league encounter and have the edge in the head-to-head.

Terry