Midweek TV Preview: 23 - 26 April 2012

Monday 23 April

19:45 Leicester City v West Ham, Championship, Sky Sports 1/HD1

Both sides started the season believing they'd be a little higher up the table. West Ham arr nailed on for a play off spot but can keep their automatic promotion hopes alive until the final day of the season. Southampton are second in the Championship and will be hoping for Leicester win.

Tuesday 24 April

19:45 Barcelona v Chelsea, UEFA Champions League Semi Final 2nd Leg, Sky Sports 2/HD 2/ SKY 3D (1-0 Chelsea from first leg)

The Blues earned very slice of luck against the Champions in the first leg but you have to wonder if they can keep it up at the Nou Camp. Barca have tripped up away from home against Arsenal and Stuttgart in the past only to put things right at home. Few will back against that happening against Chelsea.

19:45 Gateshead v Luton Town, Blue Square Premier League, Premier Sports

After beating them at the weekend, the Hatters need three points against mid table Gateshead in order to hold off Kidderminster and making that final play off spot their own.

Wednesday 25 April

11:30 Novara v Lazio, Serie A, ESPN/HD

The first of a triple header of Italian games that were postponed following the sudden and tragic death of Livorno player Piermario Morosini.The home side are not completely relegated but they are as close to the drop as you can get. Lazio need to keep winning to ensure that Champions League play off birth for next season

14:00 Roma v Fiorentina Serie A, ESPN/HD

As I write, Roma are getting humped by Juventus so their Europa League hopes aren't looking so good. Fiorentina have moderate relegation concerns which may add a modicum of bite to what is a humdrum fixture. 

17:00 Cesena v Juventus Serie A, ESPN/HD

The gap is now three points between Juve on top and Milan in second which means that the Old Lady now needs to pin her ears back and head for the finish. Cesena are bottom but have become draw specialists in recent weeks. 

19:45 Real Madrid v Bayern Munich, UEFA Champions League Semi Final 2nd Leg, ITV1/ITV1 HD (2-1 Bayern from first leg)

Hard to see Real not scoring twice against Bayern's defense that has, occasionally, been fragile on the road. So Bayern need Ribery to put in another inspired performance and Schweinsteiger to keep order in the midfield. To close to call. Extra time a real possibility.

Thursday 26 April

20:05 Athletic Bilbao v Sporting Lisbon, UEFA Europa League Semi Final 2nd Leg, Channel 5/Channel 5 HD (2-1 Sporting from first leg)

The English media's love affair with Bielsa and Bilboa is on the edge. Sporting, who have rarely received any coverage on UK TV this season, are threatening to ruin a perfectly good narrative by having the audacity to beat a Bilbao team that must be good 'coz they beat United innit?

20:05 Valencia v Atletico Madrid, UEFA Europa League Semi Final 2nd Leg, ITV4/ITV4 HD (4-2 Valencia from first leg)

This all Spanish tie should be straightforward for the home side but should be weary of those pesky away goals.