Joint leaders tussle for top spot

Rivalries between Arsenal and Manchester United will always make a fixture between these giants interesting viewing.

The fact that they are currently sharing the Premier League top spot - not to mention Wenger's insistence that Arsenal are now in a position to push for the title, and have a game in hand - will only serve to spice up Saturday's proceedings at the Emirates Stadium. Tune in to SS1 from 12noon on Saturday to watch the drama unfold.

The pride of the other half of Manchester was dented last week in City's 6-0 defeat by Chelsea. Sven Goran Eriksson will hope that home advantage against Sunderland (Mon-

day, SS1, 8pm) will result in a much more positive score-line than at Stamford Bridge.

A handful of Premier League clubs are also in action mid-week on the European front.

The Champions League has been a struggle all the way for Liverpool this season. It's a far cry from last year's place in the final or 2005's memorable victory. The likelihood of the Reds even making the knock-out stages of the competition is decreasing with every match.

Liverpool's trip to Turkey failed to bring any relief, and the second leg against Besiktas really is make-or-break time (Tuesday, ITV1, 7.30pm).

Chelsea's European goal tally is healthy and they are looking comfortable on top of Group B. They beat Schalke 2-0 at Stamford Bridge and will travel to Germany on Tuesday to contest the second leg. Cover-age on ITV4 begins at 7.30pm.

Manchester United's haul of four away goals (two for Cristiano Ronaldo) at Dynamo Kiev suggests the return visit from the Ukrainian club (Wednesday, SS2, 6.00pm) shouldn't stretch the Red Devils too much. In fact, it will probably enable United to extend their lead in Group F.

In rugby league, Great Britain edged ahead in the first of their three Test matches against tourists New Zealand. The second game is on Saturday (SS2, 5.30pm).