Others
Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets (06.00), Hyundai A-League, BT Sport 2, 06.00
Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC (08.30), Hyundai A-League, BT Sport 2, 08.30
Ross County v Celtic (12.45), Scottish Premiership, Sky Sports 1, 12.30
Blackburn Rovers v Swansea City (12.45), FA Cup Fourth Round, BBC One Wales, 12.30
Ivory Coast v Mali (16.00), African Cup of Nations, British Eurosport, 15.45
Inter Milan v Torino (17.00), Serie A, BT Sport 2, 17.00
Morton v Dunfermline (17.30), Scottish League One, BBC ALBA, 17.30
Cambuur Leeuwarden v PSV Eindhoven (17.30), Eredivisie, Sky Sports 3, 17.30
Cameroon v Guinea (19.00), African Cup of Nations, British Eurosport, 18.45
Atletico Madrid v Rayo Vallecano (19.00), La Liga, Sky Sports 5, 19.00
Montpellier v Nantes, (19.00), Ligue 1, BT Sport Extra, 19:00
Lazio v AC Milan (19.45), Serie A, BT Sport 2, 19.45
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Sunday January 25
Bristol City v West Ham (14.00), FA Cup Fourth Round, BBC One, 13.30
Big Sam’s Big Fat Brand of Entertaining Football requested and delivered, now it’s time to make sure a tremendous first half to the 2014/15 season from the Hammers doesn’t go to waste. Safe from relegation, and unlikely to trouble the Champions League spots, there’s no reason at all for weakened teams and early cup exits. The Hammers could go to Wembley this year, having already overcome a difficult third round draw at Everton. Steve Cotterill, gold neck chain glinting in the sunlight once more, has Bristol City up with Swindon Town at the top of League One and will relish a chance to rough up a Premier League team on his own, partially redeveloped, patch.
Brighton v Arsenal (16.00), FA Cup Fourth Round, BT Sport 1, 15.30
Brighton have one of the country’s finest new stadiums, built in close consultation with supporters and catering for their needs rather than worrying about the sight-lines for any potential One Direction concert that might come their way. With a brand new training ground too, and several recent near misses in the play-offs, it seems as though there’s a Premier League team waiting to happen here, and yet they’re embroiled in a Championship relegation battle and have recently changed manager from Sami Hyypia to Chris Hughton. Arsenal have one of the country’s finest new stadiums, offering three Coldplay concerts a week and built in close consultation with corporate clients who munch sandwiches until deep into the second half and then leave early to beat the rush for the tube. With a state of the art training ground and revered manager, it seems as though there should be a Premier League winning team waiting to happen here. Alas, the holders of the FA Cup are unlikely to better that achievement this season, despite Alexis Sanchez’s persistent wonderfulness.
Others
Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory (09.00), Hyundai A-League, ESPN, 09.00
Ajax v Feyenoord (11.30), Eredivisie, Sky Sports 5, 11.30
Bala Town v The New Saints (13.00), Welsh League Cup Final, S4C, 13.00
Lyon v FC Metz, (13.00), Ligue 1, BT Sport 1, 13:00
Standard Liege v Anderlecht (13.30), Belgian Jupiler League, Premier Sports, 13.30
Juventus v Chievo (14.00), Serie A, ESPN, 14.00
Rennes v Caen (16.00), Ligue 1, ESPN, 16:00
Burkina Faso v Congo (18.00), African Cup of Nations, British Eurosport, 17.45
Equatorial Guinea v Gabon (18.00), African Cup of Nations, British Eurosport, 17.45
Espanyol v Almeria (18.00), La Liga, Sky Sports 5, 18.00
Fiorentina v Roma (19.45), Serie A, BT Sport 1, 19.45
Valencia v Sevilla (20.00), La Liga, Sky Sports 5, 20.00
Rennes v Caen (20.00), Ligue 1, BT Sport Extra, 20:00
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Monday January 26
Rochdale v Stoke City (20.00), FA Cup fourth round, BT Sport 1, 19.45
Rochdale, infamously, spent 36 consecutive years in the bottom division of English football from 1974 to 2010 but they have, in former defender Keith Hill, discovered a method of escaping such purgatory. Hill looks, sounds and dresses like the landlord at a pub of questionable reputation but talks a lot more sense about the game and how he puts his team together than Rochdale’s level and history suggests their manager might.
Two failed play-off bids and then a third place finish in 2010 ended that record-breaking run in Hill’s first stint and although he subsequently joined a list of some 376 managers who’ve failed to do anything with the Championship’s smallest budget at Barnsley in the last decade, he’s back at Spotland now and has once again carted them from League Two to One within 18 months of taking over.
Stoke are one of those Premier League sides with little to worry them over their shoulder and not much on offer up ahead who should be having a real tilt at this competition this season. Meticulous Mark Hughes will no doubt talk up just how wonderful his preparation for the game has been but Rochdale are fifth in League One, threatening a promotion to the Championship, and have won their last three matches heading into this, including the Third Round tie against Nottingham Forest. Big upset potential here.
And even if Stoke’s quality (have those two words ever been written together before?) does shine through, it’ll be worth tuning in just to see if Hughes sticks with the suit and tie in what’s sure to be weather more Old Testament than Meteorological Office.
Cape Verde v Zambia/DR Congo v Tunisia (18.00), Africa Cup of Nations, British Eurosport TBC, 17.45
“The first problem we’ve noticed right away is that the names on the back of the shirts bear little resemblance to the names we’ve got in front of us on the team sheet.” And lo, Cape Verde Islands made their debut at the 2015 African Cup of Nations with whatever the hell they liked on their shirts and to hell with the viewers at home, and the commentators. That, and the 1-1 draw with Tunisia being delayed at the start because the referee didn’t take a ball out to the centre circle with him, was exactly what we’ve come to expect from a tournament rich in riotous entertainment.
Zambia drew their first Group B match with The Good DR Congo as well so ahead of a second round of games on Thursday, and then the final fixtures on Monday, it all hangs in the balance. Co-commentary has been provided by so far by former South African winger Quinton Fortune, and Matt Jackson – a veteran of four African Cup of Nations campaigns with Wigan and Norwich.
Others
TBC (09.00), AFC Asian Cup Semi-Final, British Eurosport 2, 08.45
Empoli v Udinese (18.00), Italian Serie A, ESPN, 18.00
Man Utd U21 v Liverpool U21 (19.00), U21 Premier League, Sky Sports 1, MUTV, LFCTV, 18.45
Napoli v Genoa (20.00), Italian Serie A, ESPN, 20.00
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Tuesday January 27
Chelsea v Liverpool (19.45), Capital One Cup Semi-Final second leg, Sky Sports 1, 19.30
A swashbuckling performance and fabulous goal from Rested Raheem Sterling only secured a 1-1 draw for Liverpool in the first leg of this tie, leaving Chelsea strong favourites, Jose Mourinho’s side have won 14 and drawn one at Stamford Bridge this season, scoring 39 and conceding six. They’re “going for a quadruple” apparently – by which we mean it’s still technically possible. Liverpool have won their last five away matches, but only three of 11 before that. They’re “going for fourth” apparently – heralded as a major achievement in the modern game and rewarded far more handsomely than, you know, winning an actual trophy. Just as well really, because it’s hard to fancy them much here.
Brendan Rodgers was spotted the day after the first leg rushing into Flight Centre (other travel agents are available) to see if he can get Sterling back into the sun on a late deal this weekend. The form of his jet-healed, solar-powered, winger-come-striker is probably Liverpool’s best hope.
South Africa v Ghana/Senegal v Algeria (18.00), African Cup of Nations, British Eurosport TBC, 17.45
While most would accept Steve Claridge and Robbie Savage honking down the phone at everyday football fans, whose opinions are apparently worthless in the face of 53 appearances for Cambridge United and an unsuccessful 18 month stint in charge of Weymouth, isn’t particularly progressive thinking, I’m not sure giving people like Avram Grant a chance to manage football teams is the way forward.
Sure we’ve seen Mourinho, Arsene Wenger and others revolutionise modern management - and Andre Villas Boas become a multi-millionaire while achieving very little – despite lacking the lengthy playing career that used to be a pre-requisite at football job interviews. But then we’ve also seen Grant, much like post-England Sven although almost certainly with far less of the sex, jump from job to job through his ability to network and press flesh rather than set a team up tactically.
His latest stop off is Ghana, one of the African Cup of Nations more fancied teams. No great surprise to see them lose their first match against Senegal and with a tough game on Friday against Algeria, Tuesday’s final group match against South Africa could merely be his latest not-so-fond farewell.
Others:
TBC (09.00), AFC Asian Cup Semi-Final, British Eurosport 2, 09.00
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Wednesday January 28
Sheffield United v Tottenham Hotspur (19.45), Capital One Cup Semi-Final Second Leg, Sky Sports 1, 19.30
When you’re being booed from the field of play by a set of supporters who subsequently cheer the arrival of Roberto Soldado in your stead, you know it’s time to seek another half-season loan deal littered with goals in order to secure the next highly lucrative, long-term contract that allows you to do just whatever the hell you like (except play well and score goals).
The message was sent loud and clear to Emmanuel Adebayor from the White Hart Lane regulars an hour into the first game - that Christmas trip to Africa to deal with a witchdoctor’s curse didn’t seem to have stopped the Togo striker ambling around and drifting out into totally ineffective areas of the field. Pesky devil worshippers.
Spurs did win 1-0, but the tie hangs in the balance and in front of a packed, raucous Bramall Lane crowd if the Blades could just keep Jay McEveley out of harm’s way they may stand half a chance.
Coverage includes the draw for the final.
Atletico Madrid v Barcelona (21.00), Copa del Rey Quarter-Final Second Leg, Sky Sports 5, 20.30
Taking unfashionable Atletico Madrid to a La Liga title, and to within seconds of a Champions League success, wasn’t enough to win Diego Simeone the Coach of the Year award at the Ballon D’Or awards, which Cristiano Ronaldo assures us all constantly that we should care very deeply about.
Simeone has taken it to heart. Not satisfied with his miracle of last season, he’s only four points behind Real Madrid at the top of La Liga this season having lost Diego Costa, Thibaut Courtois and others during the summer, and has already dumped the big city rivals out of the Copa del Rey. Not only that, but two of the four goals in that 4-2 aggregate victory were scored by Fernando Torres. No miracle too big.
Tune in on Wednesday and see water turned to wine to the delight of several thousand long-suffering Atletico fans. Barcelona 1-0 up from the first leg.
Others:
Cameroon v Ivory Coast/Guinea v Mali (18.00), Africa Cup of Nations, British Eurosport, 17.45
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Thursday January 29
Bristol City (4) v Gillingham (2) (19.45), Johnstone’s Paint Southern Area Final Second Leg, Sky Sports 1, 19.30
Now, stay with me here, because however unlikely you may think this scenario is, I’m telling you that League One side Gillingham are strongly considering not making either Peter Taylor or Andy Hessenthaler their new manager. I know, I know, with Brian Laws no longer in charge at Scunthorpe either it’s a wonder a vortex hasn’t appeared and started to gobble us all up.
Admittedly, Taylor has just been sacked from a second spell in charge – chairman Paul Scally said he felt the one-time England caretaker was doing a good job and he didn’t want him to leave, but felt compelled to sack him after hearing the abuse Taylor was receiving from fans, which will have cheered him up no end – and Hessenthaler is currently in joint caretaker charge for technically his third stint in the Priestfield hotseat. But Scally, while biding his time, seems keen to have some new blood. Wimbledon’s Neil Ardley and Newport’s Justin Edinburgh have turned the job down, while James Beattie – last seen trying his hardest to relegate Accrington Stanley – has applied for the post.
Though their trip to Bristol City on Thursday is technically the area final, it shouldn’t distract them too much from the search for a new boss. The Gills lost the first leg 4-2 at home with all four goals coming from Fulham loanee Matt Smith, taking time off from breaking the arms of Scunthorpe goalkeepers to slay Gillingham in more legitimate fashion. Fans of Fulham, fourteenth in the Championship, may wonder what on earth Smith is doing still on loan at the League One pace-setters after nine goals in 11 appearances.
Sevilla (1) v Espanyol (3) (21.00), Copa del Rey Quarter Final Second Leg, Sky Sports 5, 21.00
Sevilla, with nine wins and a draw from ten matches prior to the first leg of this tie, are fourth in La Liga and looking hot for Champions League qualification. Espanyol are ninth, sixteen points away from fourth and nine clear of the drop zone. Perhaps their respective priorities for the rest of the season – Sevilla holding onto their spot in Europe’s premier competition next year, Espanyol planning summer holidays – explains a first leg score heavily in favour of the second team in Barcelona. A late away goal gives Sevilla some hope, but really only Liverpool loanee Iago Aspas will be hoping for further progress her; he’s scored 11 goals in eight cup appearances this season, and none in seven sub outings in La Liga. His season would end here with defeat.
Others:
Getafe (0) v Villarreal (1) (19.00), Copa del Rey Quarter Final Second Leg, Sky Sports 5, 19.00
Athletic Bilbao (0) v Malaga (0) (21.00), Copa del Rey Quarter Final Second Leg, Sky Sports Red Button, 21.00
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