Pressure mounts for Ferguson

Following Germany's visit to the new Wembley this week, the football agenda can now switch back to club matters. This early in the season, the Premiership teams are jostling for position and are looking to establish a run of form.

The early surprise is the shift of power from the red half of Manchester to the blue. Under new management, City are riding high at the top of the league having disposed of their red visitors 1-0 in last weekend's derby match. To everyone's astonishment United are sat just above the relegation zone. Few expect the season will end that way, but it's high time United got a league win.

Their next match will be no walk in the park. This Sunday, United host Spurs. Despite a morale-boosting 4-0 win last weekend, Spurs manager Martin Jol is frontrunner in the Premiership managers' sack race. That's quite a tumble for a man who spent plenty over the summer, with many suggesting his striking quartet could see them challenging for a top-four finish. To see how the drama unfolds, tune in to SS1 on Sunday from 3.30pm in time for the 4.00pm kick-off.

Early next week, the Cham-pions League returns to our screens. As Liverpool and Arsenal came third and fourth in the Premiership last year, they must get past other European qualifiers to make it to the group stages. On Tuesday, Liverpool take on French side Toulouse. The Reds 1-0 lead from the first leg should make for a comfort zone. Tune in 8.00pm on ITV1.

Then on Wednesday, it's the Gunners' turn. They take a 2-0 lead into their home leg against Czech outfit Sparta Prague. Despite the absence of captain William Gallas, the Gunners should make it through at their leisure. ITV4 has coverage from 8.00pm. Kick-off 8.05pm

For cricket fans, England and India play two one-dayers in the next seven days. On Friday, the day-nighter is on SS1 from 2.00pm, while on Monday, the third match of seven starts at 10.30am on SS1.