Weekend TV Preview: 1 - 2 October

Saturday 1 October

12.45 Everton v Liverpool, Premier League, Sky Sports 2/HD2/3D

Everton should feel optimistic about this fixture, Liverpool are defensively stretched at the moment and clean sheets have been hard to find; recent results calming the optimism from the early fixtures. Expect Gerrard to come off the bench again with minimal impact.

15.45 Prestatyn Town v Llanelli AFC, Welsh Premier League, S4C

Llanelli are by far the League's top scorers so far (thanks in no small part to a 9-2 mauling of Newtown). They've won their last four games but the home team are only two points behind them.

17.20 Leicester City v Derby County, Championship, Sky Sports 2/HD2

This is not a derby.

17.30 Hertha Berlin v FC Koln, Bundesliga, ESPN/ESPN HD

Three good wins in their last four have made Koln's league position look a lot healthier. Hertha have proven to be tough opposition on their return to the top flight - all their games so far have been drawn or settled by the odd goal.

19.00 Valencia v Granada, La Liga, Sky Sports 4/HD4

Granada return to the top flight after 35 years away and having survived going to the wall a few seasons back. They've had back to back promotions thanks in no small way to a deal with Italian side Udinese - their squad currently containing five on loan Udinese players.

19.45 Inter Milan v Napoli, Serie A, ESPN/ESPN HD

Probably Napoli's best chance to end a run of eight consecutive defeats away to Inter. A run that goes back to 1994.

21.00 Malaga v Getafe, La Liga, Sky Sports 4/HD4

Early days still but Malaga can boast the meanest defence in La Liga. Should prove enough to ensure all the points against a stumbling Getafe side.

Sunday 2 October

12.45 Hearts v Celtic, SPL, Sky Sports 4/HD4

Celtic have finished with 10 men in three of their last four visits to Tynecastle. Expect more fun and larks in this one

13.30 Bolton v Chelsea, Premier League, Sky Sports 1/HD1

Worrying times for Bolton could get even more concerning unless they find something here. Defeat against Chelsea shouldn't put pressure on Coyle - although the manner of it could.

14.00 Fiorentina v Lazio, Serie A, ESPN/ESPN HD

Good chance to see Miroslav Klose, back in scoring ways with four goals in his six games for Lazio. La Viola have comfortably won both their home games while Lazio's only win this season was against strugglers Cesena - a game they had to come from behind to win after an opening goal from former Fiorentina hero Adrian Mutu.

16.00 Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal, Premier League, Sky Sports 1/HD1/3D

While faring similarly in Europe midweek results-wise, you can't help but feel Spurs' comeback against Shamrock Rovers took more out of them than Arsenal's win against Olympiakos. Spurs must start as favourites though - something that doesn't usually sit well with them. The world will be waiting for Adebayor's goal celebration - hopefully Arsenal fans won't sink as low as to steal any Tottenham songs about him.

16.30 Hamburger SV v FC Schalke, Bundesliga, ESPN/ESPN HD

Hamburg finally secured their first win of the season last week away to Stuttgart but still remain rooted to the bottom of the Bundesliga. Schalke's coach, Ralf Rangnick, stepped down this week, citing health reasons, and has been replaced by the returning Huub Stevens - who many had tipped to become the new coach of Hamburg.

19.00 Sporting v Barcelona, La Liga, Sky Sports 1/HD1

Barca looked in frightening form when destroyed BATE in the Champions League this week but are still looking for their first away win in La Liga after 2-2 draws at Valencia and Sociedad. Racing have had an awful start to their season with just one point to show from their first five games.

19.45 Juventus v AC Milan, Serie A, ESPN/ESPN HD

Juve share top spot in the early table with Udinese, while Milan have only just registered their first of the campaign last time out - a less than convincing 1-0 against Cesena (yeah, everyone's beating them).

21.00 Espanyol v Real Madrid, La Liga, Sky Sports 1/HD1

Is Kaka back? This game could tell us more.

Graham