Jogo Bonito

Well if this isn't a sight for sore Fox Soccer Channel eyes. After Rupert Murdoch's henchmen signed a deal to broadcast 12 Brazil friendlies, I wondered what kind of matches we'd have to look forward to. We were treated to games against Ecuador and Switzerland in 2006, and it looks like the new year will kickoff with a match against Portugal live from the Emirates Stadium in London.

Though I'm a little tired of FSC's lineup, I have to say that this Brazilian deal is quite the coup. With a TV schedule that at the moment pairs the EPL with highlights from Japan, the Caribbean Cup, and Australia, viewers will take anything they can get. [Live Soccer TV]

In other eye-numbing news:

• If anything, they (with Setanta) will have the EPL through the 2009-2010 season. [EPL Talk]
• I had world-renowned documentary filmmaker in the betting pool, who had celebrity poker player? [World Cup Blog]
• It's always fun to see a reporter getting taken out on the sidelines. [Soccernista]
• With all this talk about the second-coming of Fernando Redondo, here's a little bit of what the new kid from Boca Juniors has to live up to. [SoccerBlog.com]
• "There's all kinds of places to sit" is my favorite. [ThroughBall.com]

----------

Here are the games I'll be keeping an eye on through Sunday.

Today
Liverpool v. Arsenal
2:30pm ET, LIVE
Setanta Sports USA
Liverpool can't lose to Arsenal twice, at home, in less than a week. At least that's with I'm telling myself, BL might have other thoughts.

Atletico de Madrid v. Osasuna
3pm ET, LIVE
GolTV
For Javier Aguirre's sake, this one's at the Vicente Calderon.

Wednesday
Wycombe Wanderers v. Chelsea
2:30pm ET, LIVE
Setanta Sports USA
How big of an upset would this be for Wycombe? Biggest of the season, in the last decade, in cup history?

Saturday
Manchester United v. Aston Villa
9:55am ET, LIVE
Setanta
Hey, they haven't played each other in a while.

West Ham United v. Fulham
9:55am ET, LIVE
Setanta Xtra (DirecTV Channel 670)
Will Clint Dempsey's work permit come through in time for a substitution appearance in this one?

Chelsea v. Wigan Athletic
10am ET, LIVE
FOX Soccer Channel
Wigan had a result in the bag at the JJB before the balding Dutchman killed them off in the dying minutes.

Blackburn Rovers v. Arsenal
12pm ET, LIVE
FOX Soccer Channel
No result at Bolton, no result at Sheffield United, _______ at Blackburn.

Espanyol v. Barcelona
3:58m ET, LIVE
World Sport HD
The Barcelona derby, could be worth a look with Rijkaard's side needing three points. Ronaldinho and Deco should be back for this one.

Torino v. Inter
5pm ET, Same Day Delay
FOX Soccer Channel
Can Inter keep the good times rolling?

Sunday
Tottenham v. Newcastle United
11am ET, LIVE
FOX Soccer Channel
Spurs got smoked at St. James, look for the opposite result at White Hart Lane.

As always, check your local listings for dates and times in your area.

-ac