Weekend TV Preview: 7 - 9 October

Friday 7 October

19.45 Czech Republic v Spain, Euro 2012 Qualifier, ITV4/ITV4 HD

A match that has a huge bearing on Scotland's qualifying campaign. Spain are already through to the finals, so it's a race for the play-off spot which the Czechs currently occupy. Scotland are only two points behind in third and will be hoping Spain are in the mood to preserve their 100% record in Group I.

19.45 Northern Ireland v Estonia, Euro 2012 Qualifier, Sky Sports 4/HD4

The Estonians have made a good fist of this campaign and could (technically) still get the play-off spot behind the already-qualified Italy in Group C. The reality is that Serbia, currently in second place and leading Estonia by a point, have two games to play and will almost certainly finish as runners-up.

19.45 Wales v Switzerland, Euro 2012 Qualifier, Sky Sports 3/HD3

The Swiss will be hoping for a Montenegrin slip-up against England to retain any faint hopes they may still have of travelling to Poland and Ukraine next year. As it is, they've been far too inconsistent to be treated seriously and will have to settle for third in the group.

20.00 France v Albania, Euro 2012 Qualifier, ESPN/ESPN HD

Group D sees a straight fight between the French and Bosnia & Herzegovina for top spot. With France only a single point ahead of their rivals, anything other than a point here will be seen as a catastrophe ahead of their final match of the campaign against B&H next Tuesday.

20.00 Montenegro v England, Euro 2012 Qualifier, Sky Sports 1/HD1

With a chance to bask in the glory of qualification, it's funny how no-one ever drops out of the England squad ahead of a match like this. A draw for Capello & Co will prove satisfactory although a performance like the one against Wales last month probably won't.

20.30 Andorra v Republic of Ireland, Euro 2012 Qualifier, Sky Sports 2/HD2

An ideal chance for the Irish to turn the psychological screw on Group B leaders Russia. Trappatoni's men are two points behind the Russians who face Slovakia - the team they lost at home to in the last round of fixtures.

Saturday 8 October

12.45 Northampton Town v Crawley Town, League Two, Sky Sports 2/HD2

Both teams have won three games out of their last four, a fact that betrays Northampton's 15th-placed spot in the table. Crawley are second behind Southend on goal difference but won't be taking anything for granted on this trip to the Sixfields Stadium.

15.45 Afan Lido v Bala Town, Welsh Premier League, S4C

Apparently the done thing these days is to play Football Manager 2011 as the coach of Bala Town and be as successful as possible within five seasons. Difficult to know whether this match will be more interesting than that or not, frankly.

18.30 Liechtenstein v Scotland, Euro 2012 Qualifier, BBC1 Scotland

To qualify, Scotland need to (a) beat Liechtenstein, (b) beat Spain in Alicante next Tuesday and (c) hope that the Czechs get beaten by Lithuania on the same night. Suddenly my lottery ticket is a source of great hope.

22.00 Botafogo v Bahia, Brazilian Serie A, Premier Sports

Despite being ten places behind 4th-placed Botafogo, it's Bahia that are on the better form at the moment. Three wins in the last four games gives them a decent chance of beating their faltering opponents who have just one win from their last six outings.

Sunday 9 October

16.30 Notts County v Hartlepool United, League One, Sky Sports 1/HD1

Finally to Meadow Lane where the home side got a 3-0 win in the equivalent fixture last season. With both teams level on points in 8th and 7th place respectively, a well-fought draw is probably more likely this time around.

Chris O