THURSDAY
Scottish football: Hearts v Hibernian, SS1, 7.30pm
Meaningful matches in the SPL are even thinner on the ground since Rangers’ implosion – so the Edinburgh derby is about as big as it gets north of the border.
SATURDAY
Ping Pong world championship, SS2, 12pm
After warming up with the Olympics last year, London plays host to the one we’ve all been waiting for. Sixty-four of the world’s leading athletes line up at Alexandra Palace, paddles in hand, to battle it out for the ultimate accolade. To be honest, the rest of sport might as well not bother for the whole of 2013.
FA Cup football: West Ham v Manchester United, ITV1, 4.30pm
See if Big Sam can get one over Fergie. Expect clips of Di Canio scoring at Old Trafford in 2001. Followed, if we’re being honest, by a comfortable win for the visitors.
SUNDAY
FA Cup football: Swansea v Arsenal, ESPN, 12.30pm
ESPN’s FA Cup double header, which concludes with Liverpool’s trip to Mansfield, features a team who can beat anyone on their day hosting a team who can lose to anyone on their off-day.
TUESDAY
Capital One Cup football: Bradford v Aston Villa, SS1, 7.30pm
Speaking of Arsenal on an off-day... after spiking the Gunners in the quarter-final, Phil Parkinson’s Bantams welcome Paul Lambert’s Villa, who have been warming up for their two-legged clash by defending like a League Two side.
WEDNESDAY
Capital One Cup football: Chelsea v Swansea, SS1, 7.30pm
Given the line-up of the other semi-final, both these teams will fancy their chances of picking up the first major silverware of the season. Can Rafa make it to Wembley for the first time?
