We’re nearly there! Some Premier League sides last played on March 10th this weekend they will re-take to the field following the International break. We’ve got still to negotiate a post-International midweek lull but soon it’ll be Saturday. Allow me to talk you through it
Tuesday 27th March
Nothing gets the pulse racing quite like an England friendly against a team who haven’t qualified. Granted it is Italy, who really should be qualifying, so it should still be a decent test of just where Gareth Southgate’s team are. The performance against Holland on Friday was encouraging, so more of the same please. That’s on ITV at 8pm, but there are plenty of other friendlies on across the various channels. Germany vs Brazil is on BT Sport 2 (7.45pm), Spain vs Argentina is on Sky (8.30pm) and Hungary vs Scotland is on BBC Scotland at 7pm. Even MUTV have Russia vs France at 4.50pm…because Pogba? Martial? I don’t know.
Wednesday 28th March
I mentioned there was a midweek lull in the introduction. To be clear, I wasn’t joking. The best I can find is Ascoli vs Bari in Serie B, which is a 7.30pm kick off streamed on Bet365. Might go out on Wednesday.
Thursday 29th March
Bless League One. Sky obviously have had enough of having to put up with mediocre International football so they’ve brought us a Thursday night football clash as Blackburn host Bradford City. Two former Premier League sides go head to head, though they are having contrasting runs of form as Blackburn are in the battle for automatic promotion whilst Bradford have had a bad run and dropped out of the playoff places. That’s a 7.45pm kick off and after the joys of this week so far will feel like the FA Cup final. There’s also some A-League on BT Sport 2 at 11.30am, Perth Glory against Sydney FC.
Friday 30th March
It’s a Good Friday, not only in terms of name but because there is football on during the day. There’s a full football league programme, including three live games. Firstly it’s back to lovely League One at 12.45 for Oxford United against Scunthorpe. Then at 5.30pm it’s up the Championship and Middlesbrough vs Wolves. Wolves edging closer to the title and of course promotion whilst Middlesbrough are embroiled in the playoff scrap. Prepare for Pulis Ball. Finally we have the 7.45pm game effects both ends of the division as promotion hopefulys Derby host struggling Sunderland. Derby’s form has faded a bit recently and they’ll need to get back on track here against Sunderland who despite a terrible season are still on a couple of wins from safety, though that is easier said than done.
Saturday 31st March
So many games! It’s the first Saturday in three weeks where we have a Premier League programme to enjoy. It starts with Crystal Palace vs Liverpool at 12.30pm on Sky. Can Crystal Palace succeed where Watford spectacularly failed and contain Mo Salah? Before all that, Bologna host Roma on BT Sport at 11.30am, or 30 minutes later you’ve got Gironva vs Levante on Sky in their early La Liga showing. Motherwell vs Rangers is on BT at 12.30pm if the SPL is your preference. After the 3pm fixtures, it’s time for Everton vs Man City at 5.30pm. We’ve all wanted to see Allardyce vs Pep, the ultimate contrast. That’s on BT, who also have Bayern Munich against Borussia Dortmund at 5.30pm. Sky are not to be left out, they have Championship action as Hull host Aston Villa, or if you’d rather watch Real Madrid, they are away to Las Palmas at 5.30pm on Sky Sports Mix. The big games keep coming, with Juventus vs AC Milan at 7.45pm and Sevilla vs Barcelona at the same time on BT and Sky respectively. PSG host Monaco in the French Cup on BT at 8:05pm, whilst LA Galaxy play Los Angeles FC at 8pm. Will Ibrahimovic make his debut?
Sunday 1st April
Another busy day, starting at 11am with Espanyol against Alaves on Sky. La Liga is constantly on Sky, it’s great. Your next stop is Dundee vs Hearts from the SPL at 12.30pm, also on Sky. Is there a fantasy football league for SPL? I imagine that to be pretty awful. Anyway, the Premier League has a double header for us starting at 1.30pm with Arsenal against Stoke. Stoke are desperate for the points whereas Arsenal seem to be more focused on the Europa League but we’ll see what the day brings. 4pm is a huge clash between Chelsea and Tottenham, with top 4 places very much up for grabs. Tottenham are expected to still be without Harry Kane, though they have managed well without him so far. The evening’s La Liga action is Atletico Madrid against Deportivo. If French football is more your game it’s Lyon vs Toulouse at 8pm on BT.
Monday 2nd April
Easter Monday means we have another full programme in the football league. That also leads us to three TV games. Preston vs Derby kicks us off at 12.45pm. Lucky us getting to see Derby twice in 3 days. The 5.30pm game is Portsmouth against Wigan. This was a Premier League game not long ago but Wigan are looking to secure promotion back to the Championship at least. The 7.45pm game is back in the Championship, this time for Sheffield United and Cardiff, a game with huge connotations at the top of the table. Sky have all of those games, plus Getafe vs Real Betis at 8pm.
It’s a week that starts slowly but gathers a lot of momentum over the Easter weekend. Enjoy!