Weekend TV Preview: 6 - 8 January 2012

Friday 6 January

19.45 Wycombe Wanderers v Huddersfield, League One, Sky Sports 1/HD1

The Terriers are one of the top scoring teams away from home in the league this season and are stingy in defence too. A trip to Adams Park shouldn't hold any fear for them whatsoever.

Saturday 7 January

12.30 Dundee v Kilmarnock, Scottish FA Cup 4th Round, BBC1 Scotland

Dundee went down 4-0 to Motherwell at the same stage of the Cup last January. Hopefully the painful memory of conceding an early goal before the dam burst altogether will give them the necessary experience to hold out a bit longer this time.

12.30 Birmingham City v Wolverhampton Wanderers, FA Cup 3rd Round, ESPN/ESPN HD

Both teams have done far better at home than they have away this season. Coupled with the fact that Birmingham reached the quarter-finals last year, we wouldn't be surprised if one or two of you fancied a little flutter on The Blues to win.

17.30 Bristol Rovers v Aston Villa, FA Cup 3rd Round, ESPN/ESPN HD

A first meeting between these two since they met in the same round of the 1992/93 competition. Rovers took Villa to a replay that season but there shouldn't be any need for that kind of nonsense this time around, eh Villa fans?

19.00 Real Madrid v Granada, La Liga, Sky Sports 1/HD1

Real looked far from convincing against Malaga in the Copa Del Rey last Tuesday but they won't mind a repeat of that against Granada as long as they can maintain or extend their three point lead at the top of the table.

21.00 Malaga v Atletico Madrid, La Liga, Sky Sports 1/HD1

Malaga are said to ne considering a bid for Borussia Dortmund striker Lucas Barrios. They'll need him if they're serious about a shot at the title or even Europa League football next season.

Sunday 8 January

11.30 Udinese v Cesena, Serie A, ESPN/ESPN HD

Draws against rivals Lazio and Juventus have kept Udinese within touching distance of the leaders. Now for an easy home tie against 19th-placed Cesena.

12.45 Arbroath v Rangers, Scottish FA Cup 4th Round, Sky Sports 1/HD1

A reward for gaining their first ever league title before the summer break, this tie against The Gers has thrilled the locals in Arbroath. Up to 6,000 are expected to pack into Gayfield Park and though the outcome is likely to be a win for Ally McCoist's men, the day will really be about The Maroons getting some deserved attention on live TV. We wish them all the best.

13.00 Man City v Man Utd, FA Cup 3rd Round, ITV1/ITV1 HD

The FA Cup is a cruel mistress, and City's first match in their attempt to retain the trophy proves it. Some people are naturally hoping City can repeat their 6-1 win over United, but we won't hear a word of it. We're hoping for seven.

14.00 Atalanta v AC Milan, Serie A, ESPN/ESPN HD

A potentially tricky tie for the league leaders. Atalanta have lost only once in their last 11 games and of those, seven have been draws. Wouldn't be surprised to see another one here.

15.00 Peterhead v Celtic, Scottish FA Cup 4th Round, Sky Sports 1/HD1

To say that Third Division Peterhead will be wary of Celtic's wonderful run of form recently is an understatement. That said, they'll be grateful for the TV money and the chance to show the world what they're really all about, i.e. not being made to feel inferior by their far stronger opponents. May the best team win.

15.30 Peterborough United v Sunderland (Followed by 4th Round Draw), FA Cup 3rd Round, ITV1/ITV1 HD

On paper at least, this has the makings of a cracking tie. Posh are unbeaten in the league since December 10th while Sunderland's new found form under Messiah O'Neill is well documented. One to watch

17.00 Villarreal v Valencia, La Liga, Sky Sports 1/HD1

Having sunk alarmingly towards the bottom, the Yellow Submarine attempt to resurface rapidly under the new leadership of Francisco Molina. Defeat against Valencia could see them drop two places to second-bottom, so no pressure, Francisco.

18.45 Real Betis v Sporting, La Liga, Sky Sports 1/HD1

Sporting Gijon look for their first win over Betis since 1997. Despite the difference of seven places in the table, there's an outside chance they may get it.

20.30 Espanyol v Barcelona, La Liga, Sky Sports 1/HD1

The World Club champions return to league action with a derby match against an Espanyol side that were unbeaten in four just before Christmas. Since then, however, they've been beaten by Segunda Division Cordoba in the Cup which may give a more accurate insight into the outcome of this match.