The sporting week ahead (30/10/11)

Today

After last Sunday's extraordinary feast of football, it's time for one of the Premier League's more genteel derbies as Tottenham play host to Queens Park Rangers. But Cardiff's Bluebirds might just turn the air blue when they pay a visit to Leeds. Formula One fans have little to get excited about for the rest of the season – unless India's first ever Grand Prix at the Buddh circuit ends up being more like rush-hour in downtown Delhi.

Tomorrow

It may not seem a glamorous fixture but Newcastle United travel to Stoke this evening hoping to maintain their impressive start to the season while the hosts look to get among the big boys. The visitors should feel at home with Newcastle-under-Lyme only a stone's throw away – or a Delap throw.

Tuesday

In the Champions' League, Arsenal will hope to build on their last-minute win in Marseille as they take on the French side in London, while Chelsea's stars will wonder what on earth they are doing in Genk. Perhaps Tintin will come to the rescue of the Belgian side.

Wednesday

Manchester City face a tricky encounter with Villarreal in Spain, while Romania's Otelul Galati supporters will roll up at Old Trafford ready to sink their teeth into some prawn sandwiches.

Thursday

The Europa League bandwagon rolls on in its mysterious way. Tottenham visit Rubin Kazan in the Russian republic of Tatarstan while Stoke head off to Israel to play Maccabi Tel Aviv. Birmingham entertain Bruges and Fulham are visited by Wisla Krakow – at least the last two teams actually come from Europe.

Friday

Surely there must be something going on apart from football, you scream? Well, there's always the battle of rugby union's Premiership bottom-scrapers, Newcastle against Worcester. Brilliant.

Saturday

Steve Bruce faces a daunting return to Old Trafford. It's his old boss Sir Alex Ferguson's 25th anniversary at the club. Surely his Sunderland side won't spoil the party? They won't. QPR hope that Manchester City leave Loftus Road with the same battered egos Chelsea got last weekend. Ricky Burns defends his WBO world lightweight title against Aussie Michael Katsidis at Wembley Arena – George Groves is on the bill fighting his fellow Brit Paul Smith – and England spar with Australia at rugby league.