Someone once said 'no-one ever remembers who the runners-up were', but here at FootballFairground.com, we're happy to prove that statement wrong. Not only that, but we're also happy to remember who finished third too - specifically with reference to former campaigns in the Premier League and old First Division.
And how best to calculate top three finishes in all previous league campaigns? Why, with an Olympic medal table metaphor, of course. Witness thus (click image for larger version)...
As you can see, Manchester United occupy the USA position in the table, just ahead of Liverpool who take on the mantle of Russia for the purposes of this flimsy premise. (Imagine that the next time those two teams play.) Arsenal are third as China, so to speak.
At the other end of the table with only a token bronze medal each are Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough, Norwich and West Ham. Or Venezuela, Afghanistan, Israel and Moldova in our world.
And who in the table would be Great Britain, we wonder? Perhaps Sunderland - a team that once achieved much but is now merely a shadow of its former self.
Discuss...
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Midweek TV Preview: 12 - 16 December
Monday 12 December
19.45 Roma v Juventus, Serie A, ESPN/ESPN HD
Udinese's win over Chievo on Sunday sent them to the top of table, a position Juve should retake here against an out of sorts Roma side that haven't managed to get fully into their stride this season under rookie coach Luis Enrique.20.00 Chelsea v Manchester City, Premier League, Sky Sports 1/HD1/3D
Roman Abramovich's Invitation XI take on Sheikh Mansour's Invitation XI. They've spent over £1.5 billion in total so far. I'm sure it's well worth it.00.15 Tigre v Velez Sarsfield, Argentinian Apertura, Premier Sports
Boca completed an undefeated Apertura with a win over All Boys. Tigre can leapfrog today's opponents and finish as high as fourth with a home win.Tuesday 13 December
19.30 Yeovil Town v Fleetwood Town, FA Cup 2nd Round Replay, ESPN/ESPN HD
A dramatic ending in previous game saw Fleetwood snatch a late draw coming back from 2-0 down; player-coach Jamie Milligan keeping his composure to score an equalising 89th minute penalty to keep the Conference side in the competition. A home tie against Blackpool in the Third Round awaits the winners.19.45 St Johnstone v Aberdeen, SPL, Sky Sports 1/HD1
A chance for St Johnstone to regroup after being beaten 3-0 at home by third spot rivals Motherwell at the weekend. Aberdeen have gone almost two months since their win in the SPL.Wednesday 14 December
10.30 Santos v Kashiwa Reysol, FIFA World Club Cup 2011 Semi Final, ESPN/ESPN HD
Yay! Midweek daytime football! Kashiwa Reysol were only crowned J-League Champions on 3 December and entered this tournament as representatives of the host nation five days later. They've already knocked out the Oceania Champions, Auckland and the CONCACAF Champions Monterrey to take on the Copa Libertadores winners. The other semi-final is the same time tomorrow with the final on Sunday.18.00 Besiktas v Stoke City, UEFA Europa League Group E, ESPN/ESPN HD
Stoke need only a draw to finish top of their group. While the home side only need a draw to make sure they go through, they know a win will see them go through top leaving Stoke to face a seeded team in Friday's draw for the next round.20.05 Macclesfield Town v Chelmsford City, FA Cup 2nd Round Replay, ESPN/ESPN HD
The guarantee of a home tie against Premier League opposition for the winners here adds even more to this fixture. While Bolton may not be the make for the most spectacular draw it almost certainly makes sure the cameras will be along too.20.05 Fulham v Odense BK, UEFA Europa League Group K, Channel 5/Channel 5 HD
Match 14 in the tournament so far for Fulham sees them take on the bottom club in the group. They need to match whatever Wisla Krakow manage against Twente to secure their second spot and place in the last 32 - so just the nine more games to go then after this00.15 Universidad de Chile v Liga de Quito, Copa Sudamericana Final 2nd Leg (1-0), Premier Sports
Difficult to see past Universidad for this one - they've steam-rollered their way to the final and their domestic title. They currently on a run of 34 games undefeated in all competitions. The side almost went bust in 2007 but was rescued when the club ownership moved from the University into private hands.Thursday 15 December
10.30 Barcelona v Al Sadd, FIFA World Club Cup 2011 Semi Final, ESPN/ESPN HD
Pep's superstars, still basking in their weekend Clasico victory, enter the tournament and take on the Qatar side that won the AFC Champions League on penalties last month. Al Sadd beat the CAF Champions, Esperance of Tunisia, 2-1 in their quarter final at the weekend.18.00 PAOK v Rubin Kazan, UEFA Europa League Group A, ESPN/ESPN HD
PAOK are through and only need a draw to finish top. Rubin know a draw will be good enough for them to go through. Draw it is then.18.00 Shamrock Rovers v Tottenham Hotspur, UEFA Europa League Group A, ITV4/ITV4 HD
Last week, people got themselves in a right old tizz when Lyon managed to overturn a huge goal difference deficit against a frankly hopeless Zagreb side while Ajax got spanked at home to a Real Madrid side who were wearing flip-flops. The entirely unsubstantiated cries of "fix" went out across Twitter and other outlets - could the same thing happen two weeks in a row?20.05 Birmingham City v NK Maribor, UEFA Europa League Group H, ITV4/ITV4 HD
A win for Birmingham leaves them looking at the other fixture in the group to see if they scrape through as runners up. If Brugge win or draw at home to Braga both of them go through with Brugge finishing top. If Braga win they finish top and are joined by Birmingham - but only if they beat Maribor, of course.20.05 Udinese v Celtic, UEFA Europa League Group I, ESPN/ESPN HD
Simple equation for the Bhoys, they have to beat Udinese to finish second in the group and progress through to the next stage - though they'll need to do what no other Celtic side has done before and win in Italy. The travelling support should have no trouble making themselves heard in a largely empty Stadio Friuli: the attendence only just passed 10,000 when they played Atletico.Friday 16 December 2011
11.00 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Draw, British Eurosport
Live from Nyon, it's what we've all been waiting for - the end of the group stage nonsense and the return of the away goals rule. Arsenal and Chelsea are seeded as group winners and will be looking to avoid Milan, Napoli or the mighty Basel. Match dates: 14/15 and 21/22 February 2012.12.00 UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Draw, British Eurosport
Manchester United and Manchester City enter the draw as seeds, with Olympiakos, Valencia and the 12 group winners and will play their first leg away. The current holders, Porto, join the remaining Champions League third placed teams and the 12 group runners-up as unseeded teams. As with the Champions League, for this stage, teams from the same association or who played each other in the group stage can't be drawn against each other. Match dates: 16 and 23 February 2012.Friday, December 9, 2011
Friday List of Little or No Consequence #218
Bogey visits
Oldest Dates Upon Which Current Premier League Clubs Last Won An Away League Match Against Other Premier League Clubs
1. November 21 1925
Swansea's last league win at Chelsea
2. March 14 1951
Swansea's last league win at Man City
3. January 2 1954
Bolton's last league win at Liverpool
4. March 20 1959
Stoke's last league win at Liverpool
5. January 13 1962
Bolton's last league win at Arsenal
6. March 3 1962
Norwich's last league win at Swansea
7. April 22 1967
West Brom's last league win at Liverpool
8. October 7 1967
West Brom's last league win at Fulham
9. May 11 1968
Sunderland's last league win at Man United
10. September 25 1971
Swansea's last league win at Blackburn
11. January 8 1972
Wolves's last league win at Man United
12. March 3 1973
Fulham's last league win at Aston Villa
13. April 27 1974
Stoke's last league win at Chelsea
14. October 4 1975
Man City's last league win at Arsenal
15. April 21 1976
Stoke's last league win at Man United
(For information: Fulham are yet to win a league match at Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool; Norwich are yet to win a league match at Wigan; Swansea are yet to win a league match at Everton, Liverpool, Man United, QPR and Tottenham; and Wigan are yet to win a league match at Arsenal, Blackburn, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man United, Newcastle and Norwich.)
Source: Soccerbase.com
Oldest Dates Upon Which Current Premier League Clubs Last Won An Away League Match Against Other Premier League Clubs
1. November 21 1925
Swansea's last league win at Chelsea
2. March 14 1951
Swansea's last league win at Man City
3. January 2 1954
Bolton's last league win at Liverpool
4. March 20 1959
Stoke's last league win at Liverpool
5. January 13 1962
Bolton's last league win at Arsenal
6. March 3 1962
Norwich's last league win at Swansea
7. April 22 1967
West Brom's last league win at Liverpool
8. October 7 1967
West Brom's last league win at Fulham
9. May 11 1968
Sunderland's last league win at Man United
10. September 25 1971
Swansea's last league win at Blackburn
11. January 8 1972
Wolves's last league win at Man United
12. March 3 1973
Fulham's last league win at Aston Villa
13. April 27 1974
Stoke's last league win at Chelsea
14. October 4 1975
Man City's last league win at Arsenal
15. April 21 1976
Stoke's last league win at Man United
(For information: Fulham are yet to win a league match at Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool; Norwich are yet to win a league match at Wigan; Swansea are yet to win a league match at Everton, Liverpool, Man United, QPR and Tottenham; and Wigan are yet to win a league match at Arsenal, Blackburn, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man United, Newcastle and Norwich.)
Source: Soccerbase.com
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Weekend TV Preview: 9 - 11 December
Friday 9 December
19:30 Hertha BSC Berlin v FC Schalke, Bundesliga, ESPN/HD
Hertha lie in ninth place in their first season back in the First Bundesliga. However, their last win was at Wolfsburg in October. Schalke are a poor fourth, in my opinion and may be vulnerable to Hertha's pacy attackers. Look out for Pierre-Michel Lassoga up front for the home side. The 19 year old has six goals this season.Saturday 10 December
12:30 Hibernian v Rangers, Scottish Premier League, ESPN/HD
Hibs have only mustered two points from the last five games. Their dismal season could use a shot in the arm against the Champions. Unlikely, despite Rangers only having won one league match in three.12:45 Southampton v Blackpool, Championship, Sky Sports 2/HD2
Dropped points against Leicester, Birmingham and Middlesbrough have derailed the Tangerines slightly. Nevertheless, this remains a tantalising fixture involving two top teams in the Championship.17:20 Barnsley v Ipswich, Championship, Sky Sports 2/HD2
Oooh, get Burnley with their four game winning streak. Ricardo Vaz Te and Graig Davies are you men to watch if your looking for first goalscorer. Ipswich are trying to avoid an 8th (eighth) straight defeat and another paid off manager.17:30 Hannover 96 v Bayer Leverkusen, Bundesliga, ESPN/HD
Eren Derdiyok and Sidney Sam for the away side are Youtube specialists at the moment. Leverkusen stuttered at the start of the season but have their mojo working both domestically and in Europe. Hannover are tough bastards but haven't won a League game since 23rd October!!19:45 Inter Milan v Fiorentina, Serie A, ESPN/HD
Hard to believe that Inter are fifteenth in the Serie A table. Clearly there is some restructuring required but in the meantime it's more headaches for Ranieri.21:00 Real Madrid v Barcelona, La Liga, Sky Sports 4/HD4
The Big One. Victory for Real will establish the psychological advantage for Jose Mourinho in his quest to wrestle the title away from his former guvnors. He might just do it too.Sunday 11 December
13:00 Sunderland v Blackburn, Premier League, Sky Sports 1/HD1
Martin O'Neill returns to management in a fixture that only a mother could love.14:00 Bologna v AC Milan, Serie A, ESPN/HD
The Serie A title is shaping up nicely, thank you. Milan will be disappointed in themselves if they have not put some heat on the leaders, Juventus.15:30 Stoke v Tottenham, Premier League, Sky Sports 1/HD1
Just when both sets fans thoughts they'd get a Sunday off, Sky drag them away from the Snooker in what is a less than inspiring fixture. Tottenham's great league run continues and look every inch a Champions League team. Their record at the Brit is pretty good to boot.16:30 VfB Stuttgart v FC Bayern Munich, Bundesliga, ESPN/HD
The away side have been struggling without Bastian Schweinsteiger. This fixture, last season finished 6-3 to Bayern. In fairness, Stuttgart were hopeless and are much improved, if not inspiring to watch. To be honest, I'm giving this one a miss.18:30 Athletic Bilbao v Racing, La Liga, Sky Sports 1/HD1
Just the one defeat in weeks for Bielsa's boys but not enough wins.Muniain is having a breakthrough season under the Argentine Bielsa's tutelage. If you're a student of the game then you'd do well to check this out.19:45 Novara v Napoli, Serie A, ESPN/HD
Job done in Europe in Napoli. Now to concentrate on getting back in for next season. Novara are not very good.20:00 Velaz v Racing, Argentine Apertura, Premier Sports
The last knockings of the Apetura are played out between to upper mid table sides. Not much to see here.21:00 Espanyol v Atletico Madrid, La Liga, Sky Sports 1/HD1
It's Barcelona v Madrid part two only without the unbearable shrillness from Sky Sports.Monday, December 5, 2011
Midweek TV Preview: 5 - 8 December 2011
Monday 5 December
19.45 Lazio v Novara, Serie A, ESPN/ESPN HD
Novara jumped off the bottom of Serie in their last game with a win over Parma, and followed it up with a Coppa victory over Catania. Their short purple patch meets a formidable foe this evening, though. They travel to Rome to face high-flying Lazio, who are looking to bounce back from a loss against Juventus.20.00 Fulham v Liverpool, Premier League, Sky Sports 1/HD1/3D
Both have been managed by Roy Hodgson in recent years, with very different memories of the nauseating old goat. Fulham haven't won in three and it's not going to get any easier with the visit of Liverpool tonight. The Reds are in rude form and will be disappointing with anything but a win at Craven Cottage.Tuesday 6 December
19.45 Chelsea v Valencia, UEFA Champions League, Sky Sports 2/HD2
The season so far has been a bit of a struggle for Chelsea - you know, relatively speaking - and the quest to qualify from Group E has been a big part of that. They'll be glad when it's over, but only if they defeat Valencia to progress from the group. Unfortunately for Andre Villas-Boas, they didn't manage a victory in Spain.19.45 Olympiakos v Arsenal, UEFA Champions League, Sky Sports 4/HD4
Unlike their rivals from across London, Arsenal are home and dry in Group F. Their hosts on Tuesday still have a realistic hope of success; they're a point behind Marseille, who face a significant challenge of their own on the same evening. The Gunners can take it easy having already ensured that they will top the group.19.45 APOEL Nicosia v Shakhtar Donetsk, UEFA Champions League, Sky Sports Interactive
APOEL have made history in this year's competition and although they can be reached by either of the teams in second and third they cannot be overtaken by both; they will be in the next round which is a remarkable achievement from a very difficult group. Shakhtar have been an unmitigated disappointment in the UCL this season.19.45 Barcelona v BATE Borisov, UEFA Champions League, Sky Sports Interactive
Unbeaten Barcelona have plenty of breathing space and have comfortably topped Group H. Their opponents on Tuesday are BATE Borisov, who are yet to win a game in the group stage this season. This is a dead rubber in the purest sense, so it could go either way. My money's on a free-flowing victory for the home team.19.45 Borussia Dortmund v Marseille, UEFA Champions League, Sky Sports Interactive
Marseille's destiny is in their own hands as they travel to Dortmund to face the Bundesliga champions. BVB's form has improved lately but Marseille have no option but to go for the win. They'll also be keeping their eyes on Arsenal's game in Greece, where the Gunners can seal the French side's path to the next round.19.45 Porto v Zenit St Petersburg, UEFA Champions League, Sky Sports Interactive
Porto host Zenit in a straight shoot-out to join APOEL in the next round. A draw will do the job for Zenit, who have only lost once - to leaders APOEL - and have already defeated Porto in this campaign. It's now or never for Porto, who need a triumphant European night in order to progress.19.45 Genk v Bayer Leverkusen, UEFA Champions League, Sky Sports Interactive
Bayer are in good form domestically and sit pretty at the top of Group E. A win in Belgium will guarantee that the German outfit finish at the top of the group, a target that should be achievable given Genk's showing so far in this year's competition. A goal difference of -14 after five games is quite unimpressive.19.45 Viktoria Plzen v AC Milan, UEFA Champions League, Sky Sports Interactive
Another dead rubber, this time in the Czech Republic were the Rossoneri have exactly nothing to play for. Their hosts probably don't either - even a defeat wouldn't take them to the bottom of the group (for all that matters) unless BATE defeat Barcelona.Wednesday 7 December
19.45 FC Basel v Manchester United, UEFA Champions League, ITV1/ITV1 HD
It's a huge night for Basel, who welcome Manchester United but require nothing less than victory. If they were to beat the Red Devils they would join Benfica in the next round, but a draw is not enough for the hosts, who trail the English champions by a point. ITV might just have picked an absolutel slobberknocker to show this Wednesday. What do you mean they always show United?19.45 Manchester City v Bayern Munich, UEFA Champions League, Sky Sports 2/HD2
Like their city rivals, Manchester City are up against it in the last game of the Champions League group stage. In Group A they host unbeaten and in-form Bayern Munich but they do not have their fate in their own hands. Even a win is not enough to guarantee without a result going their way elsewhere.19.45 Villarreal v Napoli, UEFA Champions League, Sky Sports 4/HD4
The result City require is a a Villarreal win over Napoli, or a draw if City get the job done in full against FCB. The bad news for Roberto Mancini and his expensively-assembled unit of doom? Villarreal have lost all five Champions League matches.19.45 Ajax v Real Madrid, UEFA Champions League, Sky Sports Interactive
Flawless Real Madrid are the team to watch in Europe this season. Victory in the Champions League or La Liga this year would arguably be Jose Mourinho's greatest achievement, and if the season to date is anything to go by then they are capable of overcoming Barcelona. They've already qualified from their UCL group, winning all five matches so far.19.45 Dinamo Zagreb v Lyon, UEFA Champions League, Sky Sports Interactive
There's nothing left to play for for Dinamo, who sit at the bottom of Group D with five defeats to their name. Two 0-0 draws between Lyon and Ajax mean that if Ajax lose and Lyon win, the tie-breaker will drop to the fifth level - that will see Ajax through on goal difference unless there's a seven-goal swing.19.45 Benfica v Otelul Galati, UEFA Champions League, Sky Sports Interactive
This know-nothing writer fancied Basel to nick a place in the top two spots in Group C, and suspected that they might do so at the expense of Benfica. The Portuguese side has taught me to predict nothing in football. Two wins and three draws in a tight group leaves them atop the mini-table looking ahead to the knockout rounds.19.45 Inter Milan v CSKA Moscow, UEFA Champions League, Sky Sports Interactive
The Nerazzurri haven't been pulling up any trees domestically in this season's campaign but they've picked up three wins in the Champions League, enough to guarantee first place in Group B. CSKA need a win, and they need the result to go their way...19.45 Lille v Trabzonspor, UEFA Champions League, Sky Sports Interactive
...when Trabzonspor head to France to face Lille. The bottom three in the group are separated by just one point, but even a CSKA win will only be sufficient if these two draw. If there's a winner here, they're through.Friday, December 2, 2011
Friday List of Little or No Consequence #217
The 100 Club
21 Coaches That Have Managed International Teams On More Than 100 Occasions
1. Carlos Alberto Parreira
Over 240 matches with Kuwait, Brazil, UAE and Saudi Arabia
2. Bruce Arena
117 matches with USA
3. Sepp Herberger
167 matches with (West) Germany
4. Guus Hiddink
Over 130 matches with Netherlands, South Korea, Australia, Russia and Turkey
5. Roger Lemerre
137 matches with France, Tunisia and Morocco
6. Claude Le Roy
166 matches with Cameroon, Senegal, Ghana, Oman and others
7. Valeri Lobanovski
Over 120 matches with Soviet Union
8. Henri Michel
160 matches with France, Cameroon, Morocco, Ivory Coast and others
9. Bora Milutinovic (pictured below)
Over 280 matches with Mexico, Costa Rica, USA, Nigeria, China and others
10. Richard Moller-Nielsen
119 matches with Denmark, Finland and Israel
11. Egil Olsen
113 matches with Norway and Iraq
12. Morten Olsen
118 matches with Denmark
13. Antoni Piechniczek
127 matches with Poland, Tunisia and UAE
14. Sepp Piontek
142 matches with Denmark and Turkey
15. Sir Alf Ramsey
113 matches with England
16. Guillermo Stabile
127 matches with Argentina
17. Guy Thys
114 matches with Belgium
18. Philippe Troussier
109 matches with Japan, Qatar, South Africa and others
19. Berti Vogts
191 matches with Germany, Kuwait, Scotland, Nigeria and Azerbaijan
20. Walter Winterbottom
139 matches with England
21. Mario Zagallo
Over 200 matches with Kuwait, Brazil, UAE and Saudi Arabia
21 Coaches That Have Managed International Teams On More Than 100 Occasions
1. Carlos Alberto Parreira
Over 240 matches with Kuwait, Brazil, UAE and Saudi Arabia
2. Bruce Arena
117 matches with USA
3. Sepp Herberger
167 matches with (West) Germany
4. Guus Hiddink
Over 130 matches with Netherlands, South Korea, Australia, Russia and Turkey
5. Roger Lemerre
137 matches with France, Tunisia and Morocco
6. Claude Le Roy
166 matches with Cameroon, Senegal, Ghana, Oman and others
7. Valeri Lobanovski
Over 120 matches with Soviet Union
8. Henri Michel
160 matches with France, Cameroon, Morocco, Ivory Coast and others
9. Bora Milutinovic (pictured below)
Over 280 matches with Mexico, Costa Rica, USA, Nigeria, China and others
10. Richard Moller-Nielsen
119 matches with Denmark, Finland and Israel
11. Egil Olsen
113 matches with Norway and Iraq
12. Morten Olsen
118 matches with Denmark
13. Antoni Piechniczek
127 matches with Poland, Tunisia and UAE
14. Sepp Piontek
142 matches with Denmark and Turkey
15. Sir Alf Ramsey
113 matches with England
16. Guillermo Stabile
127 matches with Argentina
17. Guy Thys
114 matches with Belgium
18. Philippe Troussier
109 matches with Japan, Qatar, South Africa and others
19. Berti Vogts
191 matches with Germany, Kuwait, Scotland, Nigeria and Azerbaijan
20. Walter Winterbottom
139 matches with England
21. Mario Zagallo
Over 200 matches with Kuwait, Brazil, UAE and Saudi Arabia
Weekend TV Preview: 2 - 4 December 2011
Friday 2 December
16.45 Euro 2012 Draw, BBC2
If our own Euro 2012 draw wasn't exciting enough for you, here's UEFA doing their best to match us for professionalism.19.30 Fleetwood Town v Yeovil Town, FA Cup 2nd Round, ESPN/ESPN HD
Fleetwood pulled off the biggest shock of Round 1 with a 2-0 win over Wycombe - with only 10 men for most of the match. They're on cracking form in all competitions at the moment and as such have an excellent chance of adding The Glovers to their list of scalps.19.45 Crystal Palace v Derby County, Championship, Sky Sports 1/HD1
Only one story to speak of here - Palace's momentous League Cup win over Man United during the week. Dougie Freedman and his men deserve their place in the semis (if not the Final itself) purely by showing how much they valued the competition which Lord Ferg and Co. clearly don't. Anyway, this is a league match, but that shouldn't alter the fact that Palace are easily capable of extending Derby's poor run of form. Unless they're all knackered and injured, of course.Saturday 3 December
12.45 Newcastle United v Chelsea, Premier League, Sky Sports 2/HD2/3D
All the talk of AVB needing to win this game to keep his job is preposterous. It'll be the next one against Valencia he has to win.17.00 Sporting v Real Madrid, La Liga, Sky Sports 4/HD4
A win for Real will be their 14th on-the-trot, thereby leaving them one short of a record set in the 1960/61 season. Gijon's last home win against Real was 17 (DIECISIETE) years ago, so expect another cakewalk here.17.20 Bristol City v Middlesborough, Championship, Sky Sports 2/HD2
It's a sign of how bad The Robins' start to the season was that they're still only fifth from bottom despite taking ten points from the last twelve. A recent 2-0 win over Southampton shows they've turned a corner to some extent, and the visit of Boro should make for excellent teatime viewing.17.30 Aston Villa v Man Utd, Premier League, ESPN/ESPN HD
Emile Heskey looks set to make his 500th Premier League appearance in this one, thereby putting him in an exclusive club with only five other players... but who are they? This isn't a quiz - we genuinely don't know. Go on, tell us?19.00 Barcelona v Levante, La Liga, Sky Sports 4/HD4
When Levante's table-topping run came to an end, they went on a three-game losing streak, but they got their act together by beating Gijon 4-0 last Sunday. Though this match may be another step backwards for them, a draw would conceivably give them sustainance before the visit of Sevilla next week.19.45 Inter v Udinese, Serie A, ESPN/ESPN HD
Inter started the long walk back to respectfulness last time out with a win over Siena. Udinese, however, beat them 3-1 at the Stadio Friuli back in January.21.00 Valencia v Espanyol, La Liga, Sky Sports 4/HD4
Espanyol have managed a total of just one goal in their last three La Liga games. Sadly for them, Valencia are eating teams like Espanyol for breakfast right now.22.10 Colon v Racing Club, Argentinian Apertura, Premier Sports
You'd expect to find Colon somewhere near the bottom, but they're actually fifth in the Primera Division table, just two places behind their opponents. ('The Football Fairground Book of Colon Gags' is on sale from 16 December.)Sunday 4 December
11.30 Feyenoord v PSV Eindhoven, Eredivisie, ESPN/ESPN HD
The last time these two teams met, Feyenoord won 3-1, thereby going some way to eradicate the humiliation of Ajax's 10-0 win when they faced each other in October 2010. PSV are on fine form, however, and can even look forward to a the knock-out stages of the Europa League having topped Group C this week.12.30 AFC Totton v Bristol Rovers, FA Cup 2nd Round, ITV1/ITV1 HD
Little chance of Totton banging in eight like they did in the last round against Bradford Park Avenue, but a win is certainly possible in front of a home crowd against at Bristol Rovers side struggling for consistency.12.45 Dundee United v Celtic, SPL, Sky Sports 1/HD1
No real contest here, despite Celtic's 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid during the week. The Bhoys are now only four points behind Rangers in the table and look to be restoring the Glasgow stranglehold having given Motherwell the elbow recently.16.00 Wolves v Sunderland, Premier League, Sky Sports 1/HD1
At time of writing, we're not sure whether Martin O'Neill has actually been instated as the new Sunderland manager. If he has actually accepted a job offer for a change, The Sound of Football podcast will need to write some new material, that's for sure.17.00 Sutton United v Notts County, FA Cup 2nd Round, ESPN/ESPN HD
County visited Gander Green Lane a couple of years ago and made off with a 1-0 First Round win. Whatever the result this time, Sutton stand to make a pretty penny out of their Second Round Cup outing and provide them with the means to develop the club further in the foreseeable future.19.00 Mallorca v Athletic Bilbao, La Liga, Sky Sports 1/HD1
Other than a surprise slip-up against Granada last week, Bilbao are doing rather well at the moment. Certainly better than Mallorca who already look like they'll soon be involved in a relegation battle.19.45 Parma v Palermo, Serie A, ESPN/ESPN HD
Both teams are on a seemingly endless win-loss repeating cycle at the moment. Palermo, however, have to win this to stay in touch with the top four, while Parma need to win to stay on the coat-tails of Palermo.20.30 Granada v Zaragoza, La Liga, Sky Sports 1/HD1
Both teams are in the bottom five. Granada have won one at home all season, Zaragoza none away from home. Avoid.22.10 Boca Juniors v Banfield, Argentinian Apertura, Premier Sports
Top v Bottom! Twenty-five points separate these two teams, yet they've played out a draw in each of their last two games. Stranger things have happened...
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