The glut of Club football awaits us again this weekend, and our fortnight-long wait will be well rewarded with some additional mid-week football. Match day 3 of the UEFA Champions league comes up on Tuesday and Wednesday.
There will be a Real Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea double treat with live action from the English Premier League and Primera Liga as well as the Champions League.
This weekend's player to look out for is Michael Owen. Grossly underused by Real so far while having a bad run of luck to aggravate his frustration, he put his head down and notched up two fighting performances in the World Cup 2006 qualifiers. Now a director at Madrid has compared him to Zidane, who had a similar month-long teething problem before the true class emerged.
Indeed, with pressure mounting to return to England and easier success, Owen will feel the heat of millions watching his every move. With Ronaldo, Raul, and Morientes as competition, he'll need to grit his teeth and play out of his skin. Beckham will be missed after that beauty against Wales and we can only hope, for football's sake, that he doesn't turn his 3-4 week lay-off and a broken rib into another Eve.
Real Madrid take on Real Betis at 23:30 on Saturday, live on Star Sports. Immediately after that game, Barcelona take on Espanyol at 01:30 on Sunday morning. Watch it for the superb form Barca is in; watch it to witness this season's most likely winner on its way to silverware.
Back in the English Premier League, Manchester United fans are seeing red with a staggering 800m-pound takeover bid from American Malcolm Glazer. They will boo the businessmen involved and cheer lustily for Wayne Rooney and company. Their away game against Birmingham City at 17:10 on Saturday, live on ESPN, is crucial in their comeback bid, still 9 points and one week away from Arsenal.
Other very viewer friendly games will be the Fulham -- Liverpool clash on Saturday, 19:25 on ESPN, Chelsea - Manchester City on Saturday, 21:40 on ESPN, and Arsenal - Aston Villa on Saturday, 19:24 on Star Sports.
Now on to the Champions League. Manchester face yet another away game after the game with Birmingham, but this one with much more at stake. They play Sparta Praha in Prague, Midnight on Tuesday, live on ESPN. However, the keener contest at the same time will be between Dynamo Kiev and Real Madrid game at the Bernebeu, on Star Sports.
Real's last Champions League match was a memorable fightback from two goals down. Whether they prove my resurgence theory, we will have to wait and watch. They need a win to move ahead.
Midnight on Wednesday, Arsenal and Chelsea go to Europe. While Arsenal goes to Athens to meet Panathinaikos on Star Sports, Chelsea will host Cska Moscow on ESPN. The closer game will be in Athens, with Arsenal battling their poor European form. Thierry Henry will hope to improve his record away from the EPL.
Watch out for Michael Owen and Manchester United, you have two games of each. Enjoy your weekend.
