Monday, May 9, 2011

Midweek TV Preview: 9 - 12 May 2011

Monday 9 May

12:00 Germany U17 v Romania U17, UEFA U17 European Championship, British Eurosport / British Eurosport HD
One of the downsides to having so many of their youngsters doing so well is that there can be a bit of a gap behind them as they push into their respective first teams. This generation of German young player are on a downward slide. Their Under 21s have not made it to the European Championships in the Summer and the U17s are bottom of the group in this tournament, level on points as they are with their opponents.
16:15 Denmark U17 v France U17, UEFA U17 European Championship, British Eurosport / British Eurosport HD
The Danes are two for two so fans of the European game would do well to watch this match with pad and pen at the ready. "Of course, when I first saw him playing in 2011 I always thought he had the potential to be World Class."
19:45 St Patricks Athletic v Shamrock Rovers, Airtricity League, Premier Sports
Despite the six point gap between them, both teams are in terrific form. Fourth placed St Pats have won their last three and recently beat first placed Rovers, in a Cup match, albeit on penalties.
19:45 Juventus v Chievo, Serie A, ESPN / ESPN HD
Only two games left after this one and Juve have to bridge a four point gap to overhaul Lazio and claim a Europa League spot which they may not want. Chievo are mid table.
20:00 Fulham v Liverpool, Premier League, Sky Sports 1 / HD1 / 3D
The season could have been a lot worse for Fulham after their heroics of last season and the departure of Roy Hodgson to their opponents. As it is, they seem to be in a good place with Mark Hughes. Liverpool, after having rejected Hodgson's methods as unsuitable for their club, are looking to embarrass Tottenham and clinch that much uncovered Europa League spot.

Tuesday 10 May

19:45 Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League, Sky Sports 1 / HD1 / 3D
No doubt the Sky Sports Hype Machine will be building this one up as a Champions League Play Off. However, with a six point gap between City in Fourth and Spurs, in Fifth, even a Tottenham win will only give them little more than a sniff at a return to the Promised Land. Cynicism aside, this is still an intriguing match with both teams anxious to make up for poor performances at the weekend. City, however, have the small matter of an FA Cup Final to look ahead to which may play on the team's mind.
19:45 Palermo v AC Milan, Coppa Italia Semi Final, ESPN / ESPN HD
So with the Scudetto in the bag, Milan can focus on the double. This is the second leg, the first ending in a 2-2 draw.
19:45 Rangers v Dundee Utd, SPL, Sky Sports 2 / HD2
A win for Rangers puts the pressure on Celtic to get at least a point at Hearts on Wednesday in order to go into the final weekend with a chance of winning the League.
19:45 Luton Town v Wrexham, Blue Square Premier League Play Off Semi Final 2nd Leg, Premier Sports
Wrexham, a club on their knees financially, find themselves 3-0 down to a club that have been given more chances than they deserve, in my opinion.

Wednesday 11 May

19:00 Levante v Barcelona, La Liga, Sky Sports 2 / HD2
The tyranny of the Glory Of Barca continues. Levante are on forty three points with a clutch of other clubs and haven't won a match since they beat lowly Hercules in the middle of April. No contest really.
19:45 Inter Milan v AS Roma, Coppa Italia Semi Final, ESPN / ESPN HD
The Rome club would not have appreciated watching Milan celebrated their title success last Saturday. However, the point they gained from the new Champions may prove valuable as they seek to overhaul Udinese for fourth. Inter meanwhile can only ponder where it all went wrong.
19:45 Hearts v Celtic, SPL, Sky Sports 2 / HD2
Assuming Rangers won on Tuesday, Celtic need at least a point to keep the title race alive until the final weekend of the season.
19:45 AFC Wimbledon v Fleetwood Town, Blue Square Premier League Play Off Semi Final 2nd Leg, Premier Sports
Taking a two goal lead into this home fixture should turn this game into a celebration, rather than a football match. Hopefully, Fleetwood will score early and give the neutrals a game. What am I saying? I don't have Premier Sports so I won't be watching it.
21:00 Osasuna v Sevilla, La Liga, Sky Sports 2 / HD2
Sevilla should be ashamed of themselves for lying down and receiving the kicking they got by Real Madrid in front of their home crowd. Osasuna badly need the points to keep themselves in the division. Let's hope they get them.

Thursday 12 May

19:45 Nottingham Forest v Swansea City, Football League Play Off 1st Leg, Sky Sports 1 / HD1
Both teams are on a hot streak. Forest who have won their last four games, Swansea the last three. This is better form than their rivals, Cardiff or Reading. So whoever, watches this match could be looking at the eventual Play Off Winner.
19:45 Doncaster Rovers Belles v Everton, WSL, ESPN / ESPN HD
To the Keepmoat then for ESPN's second televised game of the new Summer Season. The competition is only six weeks old so I imagine that things have yet to settle down. Hopefully the fledgling league will generate a new spate of independent bloggers. They need to because the official website is poor.

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