Weekend TV Preview: 2 - 4 March

Friday 2 March

19.00 Drogheda v Shamrock Rovers, Airtricity League. Premier Sports

A new season begins in Irleand and Shamrock begin the defence of their 2011 title with a trip to the team that finished 9th out of 10 last time around. Drogheda haven't beaten Rovers in their last 17 attempts so don't get your hopes up too high for an upset.

19.45 Blackpool v Hull City. Championship, Sky Sports 2/HD2

Nick Barmby's Hull have gone 584 minutes without letting in a goal and another clean sheet here would make it seven-in-a-row, thereby breaking the club's 104-year record. Further proof of the excellent work being done by the former England midfielder.

Saturday 3 March

12.00 Aberdeen v Celtic, SPL, ESPN/ESPN HD

The Dons remain unbeaten in 2012. A terrific run under all-round-nice-guy Craig Brown, but they're up against a Celtic team for whom losses mean absolutely nothing (unlike their bitterest rivals).

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

Arsenal are finally stringing together a few league victories to widen the gap between themselves and Liverpool, but they've got numerous players sidelined for the trip to Anfield including Diaby, Mertesacker and Wilshere. A decent starter before the main course against Milan on Tuesday.

15.45 Bangor City v Neath, Welsh Premier League, S4C

Both teams have won all their first three matches in the Welsh Clausura. Bangor are top, seven points ahead of Neath.

17.00 Palermo v Milan, Serie A, ESPN/ESPN HD

Milan haven't won at Palermo since the 2005-06 season and with their hosts winning 10 out of 12 at home so far this campaign, it'd be a brave fan that decided to bet on that run ending here.

17.20 Leeds United v Southampton, Championship, Sky Sports 2/HD2

The Saints are back on top of the table, albeit having played a game more than West Ham in second. Ordinarily this would be a virtually automatic three points for the visitors, but under Neil Warnock, a magical revival is never very far away.

19.00 Barcelona v Sporting Gijon, La Liga. Sky Sports 4/HD4

Second-from-top plays second-from-bottom. As easy a three points as Barca are ever likely to get.

19.45 Juventus v Chievo, Serie A, ESPN/ESPN HD

An ideal opportunity for The Old Lady to go back on top - if they can get one over the Flying Donkeys. Milan could struggle against Palermo and a chance will surely go begging here.

21.00 Sevilla v Atletico Madrid, La Liga, Sky Sports 4/HD4

Both teams are locked on 32 points in mid-table and played out a 0-0 draw in October. A similar outcome shouldn't be disregarded.

Sunday 4 March

12.00 Newcastle United v Sunderland, Premier League, ESPN/ESPN HD

Martin O'Neill's first Tyne Tees Derby and a chance to lead Sunderland into a rare victory over their rivals. Just the two wins against Newcastle since the turn of the Millennium, so a third is likely to get O'Neill an instant place in the Mackems Hall of Fame.

12.45 Cardiff City v West Ham, Championship, BBC 1/BBC HD

Last weekend, The Hammers made the fatal mistake of finishing their match against Crystal Palace with 11 men, hence their disappointing 0-0 draw. Meanwhile, Malky Mackay assures us that his Cardiff team aren't shagged out after their gruelling Carling Cup Final defeat to Liverpool, but time will tell. Cardiff won 1-0 at Upton Park earlier in the season, fact fans.

14.00 Roma v Lazio, Serie A, ESPN Classic

The Rome Derby and one in which Roma find themselves in the middle of a real rollercoaster of a campaign. One minute up, the next minute down, lots of people screaming while others try not to vomit. We may not have completely thought through that analogy, but stay with us...

14.05 Fulham v Wolves, Premier League, Sky Sports 1/HD1

While Mick McCarthy waits to hear that special ringtone set up for when The FA call, Wolves continue to go about the job of getting out of the bottom five. A seven-point gap has emerged between them and Aston Villa, but this is the sort of fixture that could shrink that margin with a little application from the men in old gold.

14.30 Nürnberg v Borussia Monchengladbach, Bundesliga, ESPN/ESPN HD

Shame for Nürnberg. Their unbeaten run of three may come to an end against a Borussia side still reluctant to give up the title chase behind Bayern and BVB.

16.10 Tottenham Hotpants v Man Utd, Premier League, Sky Sports 1/HD

England prospect Scott Parker is absent through suspension for this one. Wayne Rooney, meanwhile, returns to domestic action following the throat infection that nearly ended his international career midweek.

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

Just one draw from the last eight games for Inter. Making matters worse, Catania could overtake them in the table if they win at the San Siro.

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

Seriously, would it really matter if we just wrapped up La Liga now? Please? Mr Platini? Hello...?

Chris O