Midweek TV Preview: 20 - 23 February

Monday 20 February

19.45 Brentford v Carlisle United, League One, Sky Sports 1/HD1

King Arthur: "What news of Carlisle?" Sir Eric of the Lake: "They won 3-1..." Those were the days, not just in terms of Morecambe & Wise's vintage era but of also with respect to United's recent form. Three wins from their last nine makes a lie of their current placing - seventh in League One - but at least they face more inconsistent opposition in their hosts today. It's only one win in their last nine for Brentford.

Tuesday 21 February

17.00 CSKA Moscow v Real Madrid, UEFA Champions League Last 16 1st Leg, Sky Sports 2/HD2

CSKA's first match since the Russian Premier League closed for the winter break at the end of November, and it comes against Europe's form team. Only two defeats since 21 September 2011 put Real firmly in the box seat, and if their 4-0 demolition of Racing Santander at the weekend is anything to go by, the Russians may be looking at a damage limitation exercise here.

17.30 Bologna v Fiorentina, Serie A, ESPN/ESPN HD

The home side ended their run of four straight draws with a surprising 3-0 win at Inter last Friday. A similar performance at home to La Viola will take them nearer mid-table security for a while.

19.45 Napoli v Chelsea, UEFA Champions League Last 16 1st Leg, Sky Sports 2/HD2/3D

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri is banned from both legs of this tie for pushing Villareal's Nilmar during Napoli's previous Champions League match in November. Mazzarri claimed Villareal's players were timewasting and shoved the Brazilian forward to motivate his players. "I’ll do anything so that my team can win a game. I’m even prepared to sleep outside,” Mazzarri said. Looks like he'll be motivating his team from the Director's box at the Stadio San Paolo on this occasion.

Wednesday 22 February

17.00 Man City v Porto, UEFA Europa League Round of 32 2nd Leg, ESPN/ESPN HD

As is happening with depressing regularity lately, the first leg of this tie was overshadowed by stories of racism. At least Man City's fine band of supporters have the chance to lead by example at the Etihad as their team aims to wrap up the tie following their 2-1 lead in Portugal.

19.30 York City v Gateshead, Blue Square Premier League, Premier Sports

Gateshead are desperate for wins. They won't get one at Bootham Crescent.

19.45 Basel v Bayern Munich, UEFA Champions League Last 16 1st Leg, Sky Sports 2/HD2

Both these teams met in the group stage of the 2010-11 Champions League and Bayern won both ties with a 5-1 aggregate. Basel have stepped up a gear since then, eliminating Man United from this season's competition, but Bayern are still favourites to win this tie with only one defeat in their last 11 games.

19.45 Marseille v Inter Milan, UEFA Champions League Last 16 1st Leg, ITV1/ITV1 HD

On current form, L'OM are just edging out PSG as the best team in Ligue 1 and were it not for the shockingly poor start to the season, they'd probably be top of the table by now. Speaking of shocking, Inter have lost five of their last six matches and could do with a morale-boosting win to stop their slide going any further.

Thursday 23 February

01.00 Velez Sarsfield v Guadalajara, Copa Libertadores, Premier Sports

Still early days in Round Two of this season's competition. Sarsfield are aiming to go at least one better than their semi-final appearance last year where they lost to eventual runners-up Peñarol.

18.00 Valencia v Stoke City, UEFA Europa League Round of 32 2nd Leg, ESPN/ESPN HD

Still plenty to play for after Stoke conceded a single goal in the first leg. Unfortunately this crucial match comes at a time when Stoke are on a wretched run of form, but we're keeping our fingers crossed that The Potters will dig deep and reach the last 16 as they deserve.

18.00 Athletic Bilbao v Lokomotiv Moscow, UEFA Europa League Round of 32 2nd Leg, ITV4/ITV4 HD

A 1-0 win will be enough to see Bilbao through to the next round, but they trail 2-1 from the first leg. Muniain put the Basques in front in a snowy Russian capital, but a Denis Glushakov penalty and Felipe Caicedo's winner mean Lokomotive have the advantage at the San Mamés.

19.45 Derby County v Leicester City, Championship, Sky Sports 1/HD1

Oh dear, oh dear, oh Derby. Points are being dropped quicker than Luis Suarez from a UEFA Repect campaign. Leicester, on the other hand, will be buoyant following their FA Cup victory over Norwich at the weekend and must be the favourites to win here.

20.05 Anderlecht v AZ Alkmaar, UEFA Europa League Round of 32 2nd Leg, ESPN/ESPN HD

The Belgians may have been the only side to win all six of their group games, but they still lost to AZ through an Adam Maher goal in the first leg. Should be an equally close match the second time around too.

20.05 Sporting Lisbon v Legia Warsaw, UEFA Europa League Round of 32 2nd Leg, ITV4 /ITV4 HD

Twice the Poles took the lead in the first leg and twice the Portuguese equalised, but those two goals for Sporting mean they'll have the away goal advantage, should it be needed here. Wouldn't be surprised if it was.

20.05 Man Utd v Ajax, UEFA Europa League Round of 32 2nd Leg, Channel 5/Channel 5 HD

You're not *still* laughing, are you?

Chris O