Midweek TV Preview 21 - 24 February 2011

Monday 21 February

19.45 Crusaders v Glentoran, Northern Irish Premier League, Sky Sports 1/HD1
Only goal difference separates these two teams. The home side is the form team with a run of four straight wins. However, Glentoran have won their last two matches away from home.

20.00 West Ham v Burnley, FA Cup 5th Round, ESPN/ESPN HD
Burnley seem to be back on track with new manager Eddie Howe. I saw them earlier in the season when Brian Laws was still the coach and they tossed a weak Palace team around like a rag doll. The Hammers are fighting for their lives in the League and may not have the stomach for this battle of the Claret and Blues. However, the Cup has been kind to Avram Grant and the East London club have reserved their best displays for the knock out competitions so the Happy Hammers may well progress, despite themselves.

Tuesday 22 February 2011

17.00 CSKA Moscow v PAOK, UEFA Europa League Round of 32, ESPN/ESPN HD
It's forecasted to be -19 (девятнадцать) degrees in Moscow on Tuesday which should guarantee a chilly reception for the Thessaloníki club who are 1-0 down from the second leg and enter the game on the back of three straight defeats.

19.45 Copenhagen v Chelsea, Champions League, Sky Sports 2/HD2
This is real test of mettle for both Chelsea and FCK. The Danes were unbeaten at home in the Group stage and are in impressive form, in their domestic league but face a very different proposition in the rarefied environs of the Champions League knockout stage. Chelsea meanwhile, have been anything but impressive. Player for player, the Blues should have the pedigree to win the tie but they may have to settle for a draw in Kobenhavn if not a narrow defeat.

19.45 Lyon v Real Madrid, Champions League, Sky Sports 4/HD4
The Madrid club came unstuck against the same opposition last season, as you well know. It's possible that the French have a psychological hoodoo over Real. Having said that, this season they have a particularly special coach and Lyon have not been that convincing in European or domestic competition, their last two wins notwithstanding.

Wednesday 23 February 2011

17.00 FC Porto v Sevilla, UEFA Europa League Round of 32, ESPN/ESPN HD
Porto with two away goals just have to hold their nerve in order to progress and play the winners of the CSKA/POAK tie.

19.45 Marseille v Man Utd, Champions League, ITV1/ITV1 HD
I don't think it's too controversial a statement to suggest that United are succeeding because of their competitors shortcomings rather than their own brilliance. Their current away form is, by their very high standards, not great. This gives Marseille an opportunity in the first leg to press the home advantage.

19.45 Inter Milan v Bayern Munich, Champions League, Sky Sports 2/HD2
Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben should be fit for this one and Bayern coach Louis van Gaal would be wise to utilise them to the full. The Bavarians defence is vulnerable to top class attackers of which Inter have a few.

00.50 (Thursday morning) Estudiantes v Deportes Tolima, Copa Libertadores, Premier Sports
Estudiantes were walloped 5-0 in the Copa Libertadores by the Brazilian side, Cruzeiro. As I type this they've just taken the lead against Quilmes in the Clausura. Tolima were not good away from their native Columbia last year in the Cop Sudamericana. The odds on a home win should be pretty narrow. One for the accumulator, perhaps.

Thursday 24th February 2011

18.00 Liverpool v Sparta Prague, UEFA Europa League Round of 32, Five/Five HD
King Kenny's player owe their fans and coach a performance after that awful display in Prague last week. They will almost certainly be favorites but an early away goal should liven things up.

18.00 Sporting Lisbon v Rangers, UEFA Europa League Round of 32, ESPN/ESPN HD
Sporting haven't won a football match in February but do have the advantage of the away goal in a 1-1 draw from the first leg. Still and all, the Glasgow club have given themselves a decent chance.

20.05 Man City v Aris, UEFA Europa League Round of 32, ESPN/ESPN HD
I'm no Greek football expert but I'd be willing to bet that City have a clear edge in terms of quality. Aris will be ruing their chances and should be coming to Manchester with at least a goal in their pockets. Mind you, City fans could argue the same, I suppose.