Christmas TV Preview: 22 - 29 December

Monday 20 December

19:00 Manchester City v Everton, Barclays Premier League, Sky Sports 1 / HD1
For many, this is the beginning of the Winterval and what better way to start than with a snow day and a North West Inter-City derby. Everton are about to say goodbye to Tim Cahill shortly, as he jets off to the Asian Cup. Meanwhile, City continue to fall foul of the Carlos Tevez publicity machine. Last season, The Toffees were top dogs in both games. However, Moyes' team will need to improve significantly if they want to come away with any points at Eastlands.

Tuesday 21 December

18:30 Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao, Copa Del Rey Sky Sports 2 / HD2
The Red & Blue machine rolls over the Bilbao club and ruins their Christmas. Watching Barca is like watching exhibition football, most of the time. This is OK if you enjoy one-sided encounters. However, if you want a more competitive match, you may wish to watch...

19:00 Atletico Madrid v Espanyol, Copa Del Rey, Sky Sports 2 / HD2
... the Alt Classico between Madrid and Barcelona's other clubs. Only two places separate these two in the table at the time of writing. Atleti were knocked out of the Europa League during the week after failing to beat Bayer Leverkusen. Meanwhile, Espanyol tried to press Barca out of the game at the weekend in the Derby game, with hilarious consequences. Plenty to play for here.

19:30 Dundee United v Rangers, Scottish Premier League, ESPN / HD
Anxious to make up for dropped points against Cally Thistle, Rangers go to mid-table Dundee United expecting to win. As do we all.

21:00 Valencia v Villarreal, Copa Del Rey Sky Sports 2 / HD2
Fourth meets third in a domestic cup clash.

Wednesday 22 December

19:30 Stuttgart v Bayern Munich, German Cup Quarter Final, ESPN
Part two of a League and Cup double-header, the first game of which ended 5-3 to the away side. Stuttgart have just replaced their coach for the 56th time since 2007. Now the firebrand Bruno Labaddia is charged with steering the Red Shorts to a safe Bundesliga harbour. He may need to have a look at the defence. Looks a bit creaky.

21:00 Real Madrid v Levante Copa Del Rey Sky Sports 2 / HD2
More European domestic cup action here with Levante's ritual slaughter at the hands of Real Madrid.

Sunday 26 December

12:00 Fulham v West Ham United, Barclays Premier League, Sky Sports 1 / HD1
Interesting TV choice, this one. An early kick off promises to suck the life out of the atmosphere. However, there is sufficient peril associated with both clubs that if you like to watch your football while circling from a great height then this is the game for you.

15:00 Motherwell v Rangers Scottish Premier League ESPN / HD
A nice short journey for the Rangers fans and a straightforward three points for the team.

17:30 Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur, Barclays Premier League, Sky Sports 1 / HD1
Meanwhile the boys from the Lane have an interesting journey home from the Second City on a bank holiday evening. However, the ones who choose to travel are due an exciting match against Houllier's impressive, if fallible, young team.

Monday 27th December

19:00 Arsenal v Chelsea, Barclays Premier League, Sky Sports 1 / HD1
Another big game on a Monday following the Manchester United v Arsenal and El Classico in recent weeks. A coincidence or result of audience research?. Whatever, this game frequently provides value for the neutral and remains one of the Premier League's Blue Ribbon games.

Tuesday 28th December

12:00 Coventry City v QPR, npower Championship, Sky Sports 1 / HD1
Another bank holiday in the UK so another fest of football. Although a trip to Coventry may not be described as everyone's idea of fun, Aidy Boothroyd is injecting some life into the Sky Blues and will be a tough test against the League leaders who have lost two in a row, at the time of writing.

17:30 West Ham United v Everton, Barclays Premier League, Sky Sports 1 / HD1
More West Ham for you lucky Sky subscribers. Will Avram Grant still be manager of The Hammers by the time this game comes along or will Matthew Upson be lumping the ball up to Carlton Cole with Big Sam looking on with approval from the touchline?

19:30 Birmingham City v Manchester United, Barclays Premier League, Sky Sports 1 / HD1
This time last year, Birmingham kept United to a 1-1 draw. The Blues aren't quite as effective this campaign but can take heart that, in recent seasons, matches between these two have been pretty tight.

Wednesday 29 December

19:30 Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers, Barclays Premier League, Sky Sports 1 / HD1
More Anfield nervousness ensues against a team that The Reds would have had on toast, back in the day. The transfer window will be days away by the time this game rolls along and you have to wonder if John Henry may have made a change at the top rather than trust Roy in the Transfer Market.

Terry