WEEK AHEAD: Club football returns this week with a bang as there are crucial games in the Champions League before a huge weekend in the Premier League
This week’s first action is from the NFL, featuring the New York Giants as they look to exploit any weakness in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after two successive defeats for the Florida side. Catch the first play from 01:00 on Tuesday morning on Sky Sports.
Matchday five in the Champions League gets underway on Tuesday evening, with a crucial tie for Man United as they travel to Villareal with the two sides both level on seven points in Group F. Kick-off is 17:45 on BT Sport and then get set for a clash that will likely decide the winners of Group H, when Chelsea face Juventus at 20:00.
On Wednesday it’s the turn of Liverpool and Man City. The Reds look to be well in control at the top of Group B and they look set for another win over Porto, while Man City will be hoping to get the better of Messi and Co when they take on PSG. Both games are live from 20:00 on BT Sport.
Thursday brings the beginning of the Joburg Open, a tournament that is one of several South African events co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour. Play gets underway from 10:00 on Sky Sports.
In the evening it’s Europa League time on BT Sport, with five British sides in action. Three games have early 17:45 kick-offs – West Ham could seal qualification with a win away at Rapid Vienna, Celtic face a tough test against Bayer Leverkusen, while Tottenham should be assured of a win against minnows NS Mura in their Conference League match. At 20:00 it’s the turn of Leicester and Rangers, at home to Legia Warsaw and Sparta Prague respectively.
Round two of the Joburg Open begins of Friday, and the golf is followed by Bath v Exeter in the Guinness Premiership from 19:30 on BT Sport.
Eddie Howe takes his second game in charge of Newcastle in the 12:30 Saturday kick-off (Sky Sports), and he faces a stern assessment, when the Magpies line up against Arsenal. The action continues in the Guinness Premiership with Harlequins against London Irish at 14:30 on BT Sport. Switch back over for Brighton against Leeds from 17:30.
Rangers will only still be adjusting to life without Steven Gerrard at the helm, and they may still be without a new permanent manager, when they face Livingston at 12:00 on Sunday. Premier League action follows, with Brentford hosting Everton at 14:00 before a big clash at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea take on Man United at 16:30. Catch all those games live on Sky Sports. There’s also Saracens v Sale on BT Sport from 14:00, while the players finish their final rounds from the Joburg Open.
