Premier League and beyond: 10 things to look out for this weekend | Premier


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Luton the latest TV victims as fans lose again

It is hardly breaking news that the interests of match-going fans are not given a second thought by TV companies but Luton’s 400-mile round trip to Burnley on Friday night is a staggering insult nonetheless. The game was chosen for the televised Monday night slot in October, with the caveat it could be switched to Friday or Sunday depending on whether the clubs had an FA Cup replay or Burnley reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals. Confirmation of the rearranged date arrived with Luton’s third-round draw against Bolton on Sunday. As Tony Scholes from Up the Clarets said: “To be sat waiting for the result of a game to decide the date of the next game less than a week later is totally unacceptable.” The Football Supporters’ Association added: “We’ve raised this problem with leagues, broadcasters and the authorities repeatedly but little progress has been made. We are going to keep banging this drum. TV selections should not come with multiple caveats – supporters need to have certainty about when games are being played so they can make their arrangements in good time. If a game is at risk of being moved twice or more we don’t think it should be eligible for selection – simple as that.” Andy Hunter



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Asian Cup kicks off in Qatar

Those watching the Asian Cup’s big kick-off this weekend will probably recognise the backdrops from the Qatar 2022 World Cup, though there have been a couple of changes. Stadium 974, made from recycled shipping containers, has been dismantled and two smaller venues, the 15,000-capacity Jassim bin Hamad and the 10,000-capacity Abdullah bin Khalifa, were commissioned instead. The former, in Al Rayyan, will host South Korea’s opening match against Bahrain on Monday. Before that, Japan, clear favourites for the competition, runners-up in 2019 who impressed at the World Cup, begin against Vietnam on Sunday in Doha’s Al Thumama. Defending champions – and hosts – Qatar, coached by Tintín Márquez, a Spaniard previously with Al-Wakrah, start the whole thing off on Friday by facing Lebanon in the Lusail Stadium, which hosted 2022’s final. The Lusail, current capacity 88,000, is soon to be reduced in size, but will also host the final on 10 February before that operation begins. John Brewin


Jürgen Klinsmann, pictured with South Korea players Lee Jae-sung (left) and Cho Gue-sung (R) begin their Asian Cup assault on Monday.
Jürgen Klinsmann, pictured with South Korea players Lee Jae-sung (left) and Cho Gue-sung, starts his Asian Cup adventure on Monday. Photograph: Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images

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Colwill finding life tough on the left

It was clear that Michael Carrick wanted to target Levi Colwill when Middlesbrough beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. Colwill has been uncomfortable at left-back this season and if Carrick saw him as a potential weakness then why has Mauricio Pochettino continued to persist with the youngster in an unfamiliar position? Sadly for Chelsea, the answer is a lack of alternatives. Marc Cucurella is unavailable and Ben Chilwell, who is close to…



Read More: Premier League and beyond: 10 things to look out for this weekend | Premier 2024-01-12 00:03:00

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