WEEK AHEAD: A packed week of sport lies ahead with FA Cup, Premier League, Champions League and Six Nations action to look forward to.
After brilliant wins over Arsenal and Leicester, Nottingham Forest have the chance to qualify for the FA Cup quarter-final for the first time since 1996 when they take on Huddersfield, who would be making a first appearance at that stage since 1972. Catch the action from 19:30 on Monday evening, live on ITV4. Tottenham were victims of lower league opposition in the FA Cup last week, crashing out against Middlesbrough, and return to Premier League duty when they host Everton in a 20:00 kick off on Sky Sports.
There has been huge controversy ahead of England’s first Test against the West Indies, which begins on Tuesday at 13:00 (BT Sport), with England selectors leaving both James Anderson and Stuart Broad out of the team. In the evening Liverpool look to protect their two-goal aggregate lead against Inter Milan in the Champions League. Bayern Munich surprisingly needed a late equaliser to secure a draw at RB Salzburg in the first leg of their tie and will need to be careful if they are to progress. Both games kick-off at 20:00 and are live on BT Sport.
Wednesday brings day two from the Test match (13:30, BT Sport), before more Champions League ties in the evening. Manchester City look already assured of a place in the next round, as they lead Sporting Lisbon by five in their tie, but Real Madrid and PSG’s clash is delicately poised, with the Paris side holding a one goal advantage. BT Sport is the place to be to watch both of those games from 20:00.
Live action comes thick and fast on Thursday, beginning at 11:30 on Sky Sports with the first round from The Players Championship. England and the West Indies continue their Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Ground in Antigua (13:30, BT Sport). The evening brings Europa League action, beginning with an early 17:45 (BT Sport) kick-off when West Ham play Sevilla. Before the other matches begin, night five from the Darts Premier League gets started at 19:00 on Sky Sports. Norwich play Chelsea in the Premier League, while struggling Leeds are at home to Aston Villa (19:45, Amazon Prime Video). Then at 20:00 Leicester play Rennes, while Rangers are at home to Serbian side Crvena Zvezda. Both games are live on BT Sport.
Friday’s schedule is quiet in comparison, with round two of the golf beginning at 11:30 (Sky Sports), followed by the fourth day from the first Test match at 13:30. The fourth round of the Six Nations begins with Wales facing unbeaten France in Cardiff at 20:00 on the BBC.
The Players Championship on the PGA Tour has been won by many big names, and the world’s best are expected to be in there pitching as the weekend play gets started on Saturday at 12:30 (Sky Sports). At the same time Brighton will be kicking off in their match with Liverpool on BT Sport. It remains to be seen if England can record victory in the first Test without their star bowling attack, but you can find out in the final day, beginning at 13:30 (BT Sport). In the Six Nations, Scotland travel to Rome to take on Italy in a 14:15 (ITV) kick-off, while at Twickenham England host Ireland (16:45, ITV). The race for the top four hots up as Manchester United host Tottenham at Old Trafford on Saturday evening (17:30, Sky Sports).
On Sunday, there’s the conclusion of the golf from 11:30 on Sky Sports. How fortunes have changed for Chelsea and Newcastle in the last season, and the Blues meet the Magpies at 14:00 (Sky Sports). There’s more rugby with Northampton against Wasps at 15:00 (BT Sport), while Arsenal and Leicester round off a frenetic week at 16:30 on Sky Sports.
