Match of the Days

After a cup bonanza last week, the TV guide this week is dominated by the Premier League, with midweek fixtures to feast on for Tuesday and Wednesday viewing then a full weekend ahead. It’s the armchair fan’s dream. Let me tell you more

Tuesday 30th January

We’re absolutely stacked with options and it’s only Tuesday. Old friends David Wagner and Jurgen Klopp will be rivals for 90 minutes (BT said it, not me) as Liverpool visit Huddersfield Town. It’s an 8pm kick off on BT Sport 1, but you are spoilt for choice in terms of alternatives. Sky for example have Sheffield United against Aston Villa in the Championship or the more exotic Atalanta vs Juventus in the Coppa Italia. That’s a 1st leg though. BT also have Rennes vs PSG in the Coupe de la Ligue semi final. I won’t insult your intelligence by translating that. All in all, a busy Tuesday, with Swansea vs Arsenal and West Ham vs Crystal Palace also taking place if you’re in a position to watch those instead.

Wednesday 31st January

The last day of January brings a host of viewing options to the table. BT again have the Premier League offering, Tottenahm hosting Man Utd is a big game no matter what day it is played on, whilst there are 6 other Premier League games on which means a midweek Match of the Day later on. Magic. Elsewhere, Fraserburgh host Rangers in the Scottish FA Cup 4th round, a match rearranged from 10 days ago due to the weather. There’s more Coppa Italia for you on Sky as well, this time AC Milan at home to Lazio, whilst BT also have the other semi-final from France, this one features Monaco against Montpellier.

Thursday 1st February

Thursday is really our problem day, and once again we have to dip into Bet365 to watch Barcelona vs Valencia in the Copa del Rey. If you’d rather, BT have Women’s Super League action between Chelsea and Man City. That’s a 7pm kick off.

Friday 2nd February

Is it just me, or do Bristol City seem to play most Friday nights? Here they are off to Bolton for an 8pm kick off, a game that you know Sky are questioning because it’s also available on Sky Sports Mix. As usual Sky have a La Liga game, but it’s Real Sociedad against Deportivo, whilst BT have Ligue 1 between Marseille and Metz. There’s also FC Koln against Borussia Dortmund at half 7 on BT Sport 2 if the Bundesliga is your tipple of choice.

Saturday 3rd February

As you would expect, Saturday is full of football. The early game from Sky is Burnley against Man City, a 12.30pm kick off that probably seemed like a closer game a few weeks ago. BT can offer you Kilmarnock against Celtic at the same time, or Sky have Eibar vs Sevilla at midday. After the 3pm’s have been and gone, the evening viewing isn’t bad either. Arsenal vs Everton is BT’s 5.30pm game, which depending on how the transfer window pans out could be Aubameyang’s debut. Or not. We don’t know. Over on Sky it’s Championship o’clock and Wolves hosting Sheffield United is a top end affair. If you follow the Dutch league, PSV vs Zwolle is at 6.45pm, whilst we’re back in Spain for the 7.45pm game between Levante and Real Madrid. Inter Milan vs Crotone is on BT Sport 2 at the same time if you prefer Serie A.

Sunday 4th February

We’ve got two Premier League games to enjoy, though one will be far higher quality than the other. Super Sunday is underway at the slightly later time of 2.15pm, where you’ll find Crystal Palace hosting Newcastle. It’s a bit of a relegation scrap though Palace have looked far more likely to pull away from the bottom 3 in recent months than Newcastle. That leads into the 4.30pm game which will see Liverpool face Tottenham. It’s always an occasion when two of the top sides clash and it’s looking an even more pivotal clash than normal with the way the top 4 sit in the table at present. The reason for the late start will be explained in Monday’s section.

Elsewhere, there is football everywhere you look. Juventus vs Sassuolo is on BT at 2pm, the same time as Udinese vs AC Milan. At 3.15pm you’ve got the derby between Espanyol and Barcelona, which is on Sky, or you could make your Super Sunday Dutch by watching Venlo vs Feyenoord (1.30pm) then Ajax vs NAC Breda at 3.45pm. Into the evening and La Liga can still offer you Atletico Madrid vs Valencia, whilst BT have Benevento vs Napoli. Finally, BT can offer you Monaco vs Lyon at 8pm. It’s like every big European team is on TV this week.

Monday 5th February

Monday night football! Phew. Watford vs Chelsea is at 8pm, though it could have been moved to 12pm Sunday if either side had an FA Cup replay. Watford travel to Southampton whilst Chelsea are at home to Newcastle, so a draw in either of those games could leave your Monday schedule a bit blank. Lazio vs Genoa is on BT at 7.45pm, or Las Palmas vs Malaga at 8pm on Sky. Hmm.

It’s an absolutely packed week, with so many top sides in action. Just think, the Champions League will be back soon too. A great time to be a football fan. Toodles for now.