Born in the south east of Ireland, Simon put his life-long love of football to good use when he started a successful independent blog in 2010. That opened up an alternative route to a career in journalism, and having had work published across a number of sites and publications, Simon joined the staff at Spotlight Sports Group in 2018.
With more football beamed into your living room than ever before, supporters are spoiled for choice when it comes to live action, and this week, there is another glut of televised fixtures worth tuning in for.
There is an absorbing mix of league and cup football to keep you warm in the chilly winter evenings this week, and below we’ve distilled slates of games from across the continent to bring you the best televised matches to look out for.
That’s not all. As an added bonus, we’ve combined betting tips from out televised picks this week that combine to form a whopping 54/1 accumulator!
Remember- FST delivers fresh football tips every day. Visit our free football predictions page to see our latest offerings.
Tuesday – Leicester City vs Chelsea
20:15, Sky Sports Main Event
Why we’re watching:
Two of the Premier League’s prime top four candidates face off at the King Power Stadium, when Leicester City host a Chelsea team that have been stuttering badly on the road. Frank Lampard’s expensively assembled team is underperforming – can they trigger an upturn in fortunes with a win against the Foxes?
What we’re backing:
Chelsea were beaten in three of their last four away assignments, and the Blues failed to convince in a scrappy 1-0 win at 10-man Fulham last time out. A more confident Leicester team look ready to pounce.
Betting tip: Leicester City to Win @15/8
Wednesday – Juventus vs Napoli
20:00, BT Sport 2
Why we’re watching:
Silverware is on the line in Reggio nell’Emilia on Wednesday evening when Juventus and Napoli battle it out for the Italian Super Cup in what should prove an enthralling contest.
What we’re backing:
Both teams to score backers were rewarded in four of the last five encounters between Juventus and Napoli, and with both defences struggling for clean sheets of late, we should see chances produced again.
Betting tip: Both Teams to Score @4/7
Thursday – Cornella vs Barcelona
20:00, Premier Sports 2
Why we’re watching:
Lower league minnows Cornella produced one of the Copa del Rey’s biggest shocks in years when they eliminated Atletico Madrid in the last round, and those in search of more football romanticism will want to see how the giant killers fare against Barcelona.
What we’re backing:
Cornella’s victory over Atletico sent shockwaves across Spain, though matching that heroic triumph should prove tough. The minnows lost at home to Barcelona’s B team in the league just before Christmas, and we expect the club’s more senior counterparts to be comfortable winners.
Betting tip: Over 2.5 Barcelona Team Goals @5/6
Friday – Borussia Mönchengladbach v Borussia Dortmund
19:30, BT Sport 2
Why we’re watching:
Two of the Bundesliga’s Champions League contestants face off in Gladbach on Friday evening, when Dortmund’s wonderkids pit their wits against Marco Rose’s exciting Fohlen.
What we’re backing:
We can’t look beyond goals for this one. Both teams have attacking talent to burn and we’re banking on there being plenty of excitement when they face off. The last 12 meetings between these clubs produced 3.41 goals per 90 minutes, and their latest scuffle has all the makings of another thriller.
Betting tip: Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams to Score @4/5
Saturday – Monaco vs Marseille
20:00, BT Sport 1
Why we’re watching:
Two of the biggest names in French football lock horns in the Principality on Saturday evening, when 4th placed Monaco host Marseille in 6th in what could be a royal rumble at the Stade Louis II.
What we’re backing:
With four wins and tons of goals in their last five games, Monaco have been in blistering form of late, and with a frontline that boasts the talents of in-form pair Kevin Volland and Wissam Ben-Yedder, Les Monégasques have the firepower to avenge their 2-1 loss at Marseille in December.
Betting tip: Monaco to Win @17/20
Sunday – Manchester United vs Liverpool
17:00, BBC One
Why we’re watching:
Any clash between traditional rivals Manchester United and Liverpool is worth tuning in for, and after round one of their heavyweight double-header finished all square at Anfield in the Premier League, supporters will be praying for a more incisive contest in their FA Cup bout at Old Trafford.
What we’re backing:
United and Liverpool’s 0-0 stalemate at Anfield last Sunday was low on clear cut opportunities, though it did follow the pattern of big games this season involving the Red Devils where little ground was given. With tension expected to be high in this weekend’s rematch, fear of losing could prove a more powerful force than the will to win again.
Betting tip: Under 2.5 Goals @1/1
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