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What To Watch – Boxing Day Edition

December 26, 2010 — by Suman — 2

Watch some Prem League heavyweights slug it out on Boxing Day

We’re a bit tardy getting up our weekend viewing guide–but there were no games in Europe yesterday because of Christmas.

There is, however, a full slate of Premier League fixtures today–plus a very big match tomorrow, with Chelsea going crosstown to play Arsenal. Not only that, there are more games in England on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Here are our picks for how to spend the next few days of your winter holidays (as usual, all times ET):

Sunday, Dec 26

Via Guardian Football’s Boxing Day clockwatch: “A very happy Boxing Day to everyone. Feeling a little drained? Eaten so much pudding that you can no longer fit into that T-shirt Father Christmas brought you? Remembering why you’ll be avoiding your relatives for the next 12 months? Then sneak off to the back room, pour yourself something warming and get set for an afternoon of festive footballing fun.”

Manchester United-Sunderland, 10am ESPND, FSC & Fox Deportes: Table-toppers Man U–remarkably still unbeaten in the Premier League–host up and coming Sunderland (now tied with Spurs for 5th!).  We’ve noted one player to watch–Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan, who grew up as a Man U fan in Ghana.

Aston Villa-Tottenham Hotspur, 12:30pm FSC & Fox Deportes: As noted above, Spurs are in a bit of a precarious position–tied for 5th in the table, 7 points behind Man U.  So they’ll need to keep winning to stay in contention…

There is also the big game Monday…more on that tomorrow!

Monday, Dec 27

Arsenal-Chelsea, 3pm ESPN2 & ESPN3.com:

Commentary

Matches to Watch This Weekend (Dec 18-20)

December 17, 2010 — by Suman

We command you!

For our US-based CultFootballers, see below for our televised/streaming picks for this weekend: 11 matches in Europe (4 in England, 4 in Italy, 2 in Spain, 1 in France); plus, live from Abu Dhabi, an intercontinental matchup in the FIFA 2010 Club World Cup final.

If these aren’t to your liking, see the SoccerInsider’s listings for many more televised matches.  As usual, all times ET:

SATURDAY, DEC 18

England, Sunderland-Bolton, 7:30am ESPN2 & ESPN3.com: It is the game on ESPN2, so there’s a matter of convenience–but it’s certainly not an uninteresting matchup. Bolton is 6th in the standings, Sunderland 7th.  American Stu Holden has been playing well for Bolton (as has his mate in the midfield, Fabrice Muamba).  For Sunderland there’s of course Bent and Welbeck and Gyan and maybe even Bolo Zenden..and hence the possibility of dancing.

Club World Cup final, Mazembe-Inter Milan, noon Fox Deportes (tape at 11pm on FSC): Can the Congolese club compete with the European champions?  Read our lengthy reblog of a Guardian Football piece on Tout Puissant Mazembe.

England, Liverpool-Fulham, 12:30pm FSC: American Clint Demsey is playing with a lot of confidence, which is not going unnoticed.  In fact, seems as if Liverpool is interesting in buying him–but Fulham maintains he’s not for sale.  Fulham needs to start winning to avoid falling into the relegation zone.

Spain, Espanyol-Barcelona, 2pm GolTV: El derbi Barceloní! Espanyol have quietly climbed up to 4th in the table–but Barcelona have outscored their last 6 opponents 26-0.

Italy, AC Milan-Roma 2:30pm FSC, FoxSoccer.tv & ESPN3.com: A resurgent Roma is still down in 6th place in Serie A, dieci punti behind league-leaders Milan, who have decided their best XI doesn’t include Ronaldinho, but does include Kevin Prince Boateng (another Ghanaian we love to watch)–and may soon include troubled striker Antonio Cassano.

SUNDAY, DEC 19

Commentary

What to Watch This Weekend (Dec 11-13)

December 10, 2010 — by Suman

A couple big matches in England this weekend, with 4 of the 5 consensus contenders in the Premier League race facing off against each other: Spurs-Chelsea on Sunday, and Arsenal-Man U on Monday.  Here are the details on those, plus a handful of additional matches to spend your weekend on.  As usual, all times ET (and as usual culled from the SoccerInsider’s weekly post)

SATURDAY

England, Aston Villa-West Brom 10 a.m. FSC: one of the two West Midlands derbies this weekend.

England, Newcastle-Liverpool 12:30 p.m. FSC: Newcastle unceremoniously dumped their manager Chris Hughton on Monday–the guy that had led them to promotion from the Championship last season, in a decision that was equally unpopular among Newcastle’s fans and current players (as well as the press, including one former England legend/Newcastle manager).  So it will be interesting to see how newly appointed Alan Pardew is received at St James’ Park and what sort of performance

Germany, Werder Bremen-Dortmund 6 p.m. ESPN Deportes (also ESPN3.com): A chance to see Borussia Dortmund, who is still atop the Bundesliga table, against a team that was one of Germany’s 3 entrants in the Champions League.

SUNDAY

England, Spurs-Chelsea 11 a.m. FSC: The way these two sides have been playing, Spurs are the clear favorite to win at home.  Spurs would climb to within a point of Chelsea with a win.

Italy, Juventus-Lazio 2:30 p.m. FSC (also ESPN3.com): As we noted earlier this week, Lazio is looking impressive–2nd in Serie A to AC Milan, while Juventus is only 3 points behind in 3rd place.

Spain, Barcelona-Sociedad 3 p.m. GolTV: Is anyone going to challenge the Big 2 is Spain?  Doubtful, but Real Sociedad will be the next to try.  Sociedad are one of the two Basque teams in La Liga, and although just repromoted to La Liga after a 3-year stint in Segunda Divsion, they have climbed up to 6th in the table.

NCAA men’s championship match 4 p.m. ESPN2 (also ESPN3.com): The winners of this evening’s North Carolina-Louisville and Akron-Michigan semis will face off.

MONDAY

England, Arsenal-Manchester United 3 p.m. ESPN2 (also ESPN3.com): Arsenal is atop the table, one point ahead of Man U (but Arsenal have game in hand, due to Man U’s match last weekend at Blackpool being called off due to frozen pitch).  Here is a guide to the rivalry.  Also, the Chilean miners will be in attendance.

Commentary

What to Watch This Weekend (Dec 4-6)

December 3, 2010 — by Suman

Some quality time in front of the telly

We’re back with some television (and online streaming) picks for the weekend, selected from the SoccerInsider’s weekly post:

SATURDAY

Three simultaneous games in England that will have an impact on the Premier League title race–take your pick:

England, Chelsea-Everton 10 a.m. ESPN2 (also ESPN3.com)
England, Arsenal-Fulham 10 a.m. FSC
England, Manchester City-Bolton 10 a.m. FSP (also foxsoccer.tv)

Spain, Real Madrid-Valencia 4 p.m. GolTV: How will Real Madrid bounce back from Monday’s drubbing in El Clasico?  Valencia has slipped down to the 5th in La Liga.

Germany, Schalke-Bayern Munich 4 p.m. ESPN Deportes (also ESPN3.com): Although Bayern Munich is only 5th in the Bundesliga, while Schalke is still mired in the bottom third of the table, these are two of the more talented sides in Germany–both will be advancing to the final 16 of the Champions League.  Note that Schalke pairs Raul and Dutchman Klaus-Jan Huntelaar up front.

SUNDAY

Spain, Espanyol-Gijon 11 a.m. GolTV: Mostly for the chance of catching a glimpse of Preciado’s moustache–although note that Espanayol has quietly climbed into 4th place in La Liga.

Spain, Villarreal-Sevilla 1 p.m. ESPN Deportes (also ESPN3.com): 3rd & 8th in the table, respectively.

MONDAY

Italy, Napoli-Palermo 2:30 p.m. FSP (also ESPN3.com): 4th and 6th in Serie A, respectively.

England, Liverpool-Aston Villa 3 p.m. ESPN2 (also ESPN3.com)

Schedule

What to Watch This Weekend…While You Get Ready for Monday

November 27, 2010 — by Suman

We give you a somewhat abbreviated version of our weekly “what to watch this weekend” feature, since (a) there aren’t that many matches Saturday or Sunday that look to be must-see TV; and (b) anyways, this weekend, Saturday and Sunday are only prelude to Monday…El Clásico.

As usual, we rely on SoccerInsider’s full listing of US-televised matches.  Note that we’ve now included online-streaming information for matches that are available on ESPN3.com or FoxSoccer.tv; note that the prior requires that your ISP have an agreement in place with ESPN, while the latter requires a subscription:

SATURDAY

England, Aston Villa-Arsenal 7:30 a.m. ESPN2 & ESPN3.com: Can Arsenal rebound from two demoralizing losses?

Spain, Atletico Madrid-Espanyol 4 p.m. ESPN Deportes & ESPN3.com: Espanyol has quietly climbed to 4th in the La Liga table, while Atletico Madrid is in 6th.

SUNDAY

England, Newcastle-Chelsea 8:30 a.m. FSP & FoxSoccer.tv: Chelsea needs to win in Newcastle to stay atop the Prem League.

England, Spurs-Liverpool 11 a.m. FSC: Spurs are the team of the moment in England, after following up last weekend’s North London derby triumph with further triumph in Europe. They’re 6th in the Prem League table, but looking to move up–as is Liverpool, who have climbed back into the top half (now 9th).

Italy, Palermo-Roma 2:30 p.m. FSC & ESPN3.com: Currently 7th & 5th in the Serie A table, respectively.

France, Lyon-PSG 3 p.m. FSP & FoxSoccer.tv: Two French powers, just 1 and 2 points behind Ligue 1 leaders Lille.

But all the above is just the undercard for the main event…

MONDAY

Spain, Barcelona-Real Madrid 3 p.m. GolTV, ESPN Deportes & ESPN3.com: Much much more on this match to come before Monday’s kickoff.

CommentarySchedule

UEFA Champions League Matchday 5.2: Fixtures and US Televisions Listings (+ Yesterday’s Results)

November 24, 2010 — by Suman

Eight more games today to complete Champions League Matchday 5.  Like yesterday, one early kickoff (at 18:30CET = 12:30pmET), due to the fact that the game is in Russia (København at Rubin Kazan); followed by seven games kicking off at the usual time (20:45CET = 2:45pmET).  Viewing options in the US: all of them available on DirectTV; three televised live on FSC/FSP/FSE (with some replays later in the day; check soccertvlisting.com; and seven of them available for streaming via foxsoccer.tv:

Schedule

Matchday 5.1: Fixtures & US Television Listings

November 23, 2010 — by Suman

Matchday 5.1 - Tues Nov 23

Eight Champions League games taking place today for Matchday 5.1 (see here for all 16 Matchday 5 fixtures as well as group standings).  One early game, Olympique Marseille at Spartak Moskva, starts at 12:30pm ET (18:30 CET), since it takes place so far east, in a different timezone from the rest; the other seven games kick off at 2:45pm ET (20:45 CET).

Of the eight games, four will be broadcast live on the various Fox Sports channels; seven are available on DirectTV; and seven will be streamed on foxsoccer.tv (requires a subscription):

Schedule

Everything You Need Going Into UEFA Champions League Matchday 5: Fixtures & Group Standings

November 23, 2010 — by Suman — 2

Matchday 5 - Tues Nov 23 & Wed Nov 24

Matchday 5! Eight games today (2 each in Groups E-H) and eight more tomorrow (Groups A-D). The end of the Group stage is fast approaching: Matchday 6 is in two weeks, Dec 7-8, at which point the top two in each Group advance to the Knockout phase (which doesn’t begin until mid-Feb).

With that in mind, we give you not only this week’s fixtures, but also all the current group standings–and we take a quick look at how things are shaping up for which clubs will likely advance out of each group.  If you haven’t been paying sufficient attention over the past couple months/four Matchdays, here’s your chance to catch up:

(Note: as usual, we have pulled the list of fixtures–and here the group standings–from UEFA.com, with links preserved to club, group, and match pages–click through any of the links below for news, previous results, lineups, etc.)

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