The Premier League’s return has given us something to do in the evenings thanks to back-to-back kick-offs, but the return of the FA Cup means there will be little time for much else other than football this weekend.
While there are no Premier League games on Friday night – although there is Juventus vs Lecce (8.45pm, Premier Sports 1) and Brentford vs West Brom (Sky Sports Main Event/Football, 7.45pm) – Saturday and Sunday are non-stop football shops on TV, if the heat outside is too much for you.
By the end of Sunday night, we will have the four FA Cup semi-finalists, know who is drawn against whom, and we may be a little closer to knowing who is on the way out of the Premier League through the trapdoor.
Relief for Norwich?
Norwich, the Premier League’s bottom side, have struggled since the resumption of football this month and look doomed to relegation.
The cup could offer some respite from their situation and potentially offer something to look forward to in the rest of the season, if they can make it past Manchester United (Saturday 5.30pm, BBC One).
The formbook would suggest they are up against it, however.
United are unbeaten in 13 matches in all competitions and there is much excitement over the newly-formed midfield partnership of Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba.
Potential six substitutes
There could be a new first this weekend with teams now permitted to make up to six substitutes in the competition.
As with the Premier League decision to ease the burden on players following the coronavirus lockdown, five substitutions from a bench of nine will be permitted in three stoppages, excluding half-time, during normal time.
An extra change will be allowed in matches that go to extra time.
City the danger team
With the Premier League title gone and the Champions League not resuming until August, City manager Pep Guardiola has all but said the FA Cup is now his immediate priority.
Having won the trophy last season, and the Carabao Cup for the past three years, there is no doubting their determination to win cup competitions and Newcastle are 16-1 underdogs to knock them out (Sunday 6.30pm, BBC One).
Intriguing battles
The Leicester vs Chelsea (Sunday 4pm, BT Sport 1) and Sheffield United vs Arsenal (Sunday 12pm, BT Sport 1) ties are intriguing given their positions in the Premier League table.
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Leicester and Chelsea will be taking time out from their battle for third place to fight for a semi-final spot.
Chelsea undoubtedly have the momentum with two wins since restart, including Thursday’s success over Manchester City, while Leicester have endured two frustrating draws.
Sheffield United have seen their European bid hit with a run of just one point from three games while Arsenal, deeply unimpressive in their first two post-lockdown outings, got back to winning ways against Southampton on Thursday.
Football on TV this weekend
All kick-off times BST; asterisk indicates FA Cup fixture
Saturday 27 June
- 12.30pm: Aston Villa vs Wolves, BT Sport 1
- 12.30pm: Preston North End vs Cardiff, Sky Sports Main Event/Football
- 3pm: Leeds vs Fulham, Sky Sports Main Event/Football
- 5.30pm: Norwich vs Manchester United, BBC One*
Sunday 28 June
- 12pm: Bristol City vs Sheffield Wednesday, Sky Sports Main Event/Football
- 1pm: Sheffield United vs Arsenal, BT Sport 1*
- 2.15pm: Nottingham Forest vs Huddersfield, Sky Sports Main Event/Football
- 4pm: Leicester vs Chelsea, BT Sport 1*
- 4.30pm: Watford vs Southampton, Sky Sports Main Event/Premier League
- 6.30pm: Newcastle vs Manchester City, BBC One*
Additional reporting by PA
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