Midweek TV Preview: 4 - 6 January

Tuesday 4 January

20.00 Fulham v West Bromwich Albion, Premier League, Sky Sports 2/HD2
Despite their good start, West Brom could be an ideal opponent to help Fulham back over the dreaded dashed line. Both lost their New Year's Day matches and although Fulham haven't won at home since October, Albion have lost their last four and nine of their last 12. Fulham would go past them with a win.

Wednesday 5 January

19.45 Arsenal v Manchester City, Premier League, Sky Sports 2/HD2
Two of the top three go head to head in a mouthwatering Premier League clash at the Emirates. When they met earlier this season, Dedryk Boyata's early sending off looked to have little effect on City but Arsenal eventually picked them off with a fine 3-0 win. Depending on Manchester United's result at Stoke on Tuesday, this match could affect the top of the table.

22.00 Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona, Copa del Rey, Sky Sports 3/HD3
Yes, footy fans, the lovely people at Sky are going to show you the WHOLE SECOND HALF of this fifth round, second leg. Better hope that's the half with all the action in it!

Thursday 6 January

11.30 Juventus v Parma, Serie A, ESPN/ESPN HD
Serie A returns from its brief winter pause with a lunchtime kick-off between Juve and Parma. The Bianconeri will go second with a win with Napoli and Lazio playing later on, and are unbeaten since September. Parma are just four points clear of the relegation zone.

14.00 Cagliari v AC Milan, Serie A, ESPN/ESPN HD
Leaders Milan will be keen to bounce back after being defeated by Roma before the break. Their lead is down to three points and Napoli and Lazio are breathing down their neck with Juve not far behind. Fortunately for Max Allegri, inconsistent Cagliari could prove easy to overcome.

19.00 Espanyol v Atletic Madrid, Copa del Rey, Sky Sports 2/HD2
It's advantage Atleti in this Copa del Rey fifth round, second leg. The first leg ended with ten men on each side thanks to the dismissals of Jose Antonio Reyes and Victor Ruiz, but it was Simao's 33rd minute spot kick that put the Madrid side in the driving seat. However, Espanyol's home form will encourage them - only Barcelona have won there this season.

19.45 Inter Milan v Napoli, Serie A, ESPN/ESPN HD
Two teams with contrasting fortunes meet at San Siro. Napoli, in second, are one of Europe's most entertaining sides and are reaping the rewards, albeit giving fans something of a rollercoaster in the process. The match marks a new era at Inter, who have replaced Rafael Benitez with Leonardo after the Spaniard guided the treble winners down the league table.

Chris N