The sporting week ahead (28/11/10)

Today

All eyes on St James' Park where Chelsea will look to end a run of three defeats in four games at Newcastle. But there's another humdinger as well, with Spurs playing Liverpool. And it's our favourite moniker, the Old Farm Derby, as Ipswich travel to Norwich. Then comes the third-round draw for the FA Cup. How about FC United at Old Trafford?

Tomorrow

It's the final day of the First Test at the Gabba overnight. You may be late for work again. Best not to bother really, especially if you're still cracking beers at 6am. Or England have lost already and Monday morning will seem even more depressing than ever. In the more mundane Monday world of the Championship, Sven's Leicester City entertain Nottingham Forest.

Tuesday

David Cameron flies out to Zurich to do some serious glad-handing ahead of Fifa's vote on the World Cup 2018 bid. Arsenal's best chance of a trophy looks like being the Carling Cup and they host Wigan in the quarter-finals while their main threat, Manchester United, travel to West Ham.

Wednesday

Cameron flies back for Prime Minister's Question Time before returning to Fifaville. First question: Why did you let Vladimir Putin wrestle you to the ground and sit on you? It's the Second City derby in the Carling Cup as Birmingham give a chilly reception to Aston Villa, while Ipswich entertain West Bromwich Albion. Man City get all manic at home to Red Bull Salzburg.

Thursday

So this is it. Millions of pounds frittered away in the middle of a recession in a desperate bid to host a World Cup, but was it worth it? We find out today. Liverpool go to Steaua Bucharest. Yawn. (Sorry, still catching up with my sleep.)

Friday

Uh-oh. Back to insomnia in South Australia for the Second Test, back to back. The Track Cycling World Cup struggles for attention in Melbourne.

Saturday

Will Ian Holloway break open the vintage claret for the visit of Fergie's Man Utd, or the Tango? At Twickenham the Barbarians will run amok against South Africa and it's a top-of-the-table clash at the Madejski as Exiles host the Tigers. Ricky Burns defends his world super-featherweight title against Norway's Colombian Andreas Evensen.