Midweek TV Preview: 8 - 11 November

Monday 8 November

16.00 Rubin Kazan v Spartak Moscow, Russian Premier League, ESPN
Champions for the past two seasons, Rubin currently sit in third and will secure a Champions League spot with a win against the only side that can still overtake them. Spartak are the form team at the moment having dropped just four points in their last eight games - which includes Zenit's only defeat this campaign.

19.45 Newry City v Portadown, Irish League, Sky Sports 1
A Richard Lecky hat-trick help Portadown to a 4-2 win over Newry in September, however they've only managed one win in the seven games since then, seeing them slip down to second from bottom. Newry are only a couple of places above them coming up to the half way point in the regular season.

20.30 Sevilla v Valencia, La Liga, Sky Sports 2/HD2
Neither side go into this with any great form behind them Valencia without a win in their last three while Sevilla are still licking their wounds after a 5-0 mauling at Barcelona. That should give the home team enough encouragement to come out fighting here especially since Valencia haven't managed to win here since 2004.

Tuesday 9 November

19.45 Stoke City v Birmingham City, Premier League, Sky Sports 2/HD2
Two sides that desperately need a win before things start to get precarious. Birmingham have been improving but their next games are Man City and Chelsea. Stoke have lost four on the trot and will be without Ryan Shawcross, suspended for getting sent off against Sunderland, even though he's still not that kind of player.

Wednesday 10 November

16.00 Zenit St Petersburg v CSKA Moscow, Russian Premier League, ESPN
A win all but guarantees the title for Zenit (depending on Rubin's result from yesterday), though it's pretty much been done and dusted for some time. CSKA sit nine points behind them in second place and will be looking to consolidate their group stage Champions League place which they hold over Rubin on goal difference alone. This will be Zenit's third League title after winning this competition in 2007 and the old Soviet League in 1984.

19.30 Hearts v Celtic, SPL, ESPN/ESPN HD
Well Celtic may have scored nine goals at the weekend, but three of them were penalties, one an own goal and two they scored when they had an extra man. So it wasn't really that bad for Aberdeen, if you look at it like that (actually, yes it was).

20.00 Man City v Man Utd, Premier League, Sky Sports 2/HD2/3D
Carlos Tevez's return has seemingly lifted City from their funk, while there was little to convince in United's late win over Wolves. Rooney is still on the can't-be-bothered-to-show-up list as he continues to enjoy a non-earned holiday at Nike World - once he gets over the fact that it isn't just a big leisure-wear shop.

Thursday 11 November 2010

19.45 Wrexham v Luton Town, Blue Square Premier League, Premier Sports
While all eyes are on Crawley and AFC Wimbledon, Luton have maintained an effective chase and have closed the gap to three points from top. Wrexham have slipped away of late and need wins if they're not to lose touch with the leading pack.

19.45 Parma v Sampdoria, Serie A, ESPN/ESPN HD
Parma's opening day win is still their only victory this season and they've scored just one goal in their last six games. A win here looks unlikely against a Samp team yet to lose on their travels but they've only managed one goal themselves in the three games since their self-imposed suspension on Cassano for mouthing off at the club President. What's Italian for "cutting your nose off..."?

Graham