The week ahead
Wayne Veysey's guide to some of the highlights of London's sporting week...
WEDNESDAY 12
FOOTBALL
Chelsea v Manchester United, Stamford Bridge Carling Cup semi-final first leg, Sky Sports 1, 8pm Chelsea are strong favourites to brush aside what is expected to be United's reserve side as Jose Mourinho continues his seemingly inexorable progress to his first trophy in English football.
FRIDAY 14
FOOTBALL
Queens Park Rangers v Stoke, Loftus Road Championship, Sky Sports 1, 7.45pm QPR's early season success is a distant memory following an alarming mid-season collapse. But there is one good omen for Rangers - the last time they were on the box (27 November) was the last game they won.
FRIDAY 14
ICE HOCKEY
London Racers v Nottingham Panthers Elite League, 8pm The struggling Racers, second from bottom of the table, will have been happy to see the back of 2004 after a tumultuous year.
SATURDAY 15
RUGBY UNION
Harlequins v Munster, Twickenham Heineken Cup, Sky Sports 3, 1pm This match against the phenomenally well-supported Irish club has already entered the record books. Pre-match ticket sales have ensured it will attract the biggest audience for a pool match in the tournament's history.
SUNDAY 16
FOOTBALL
Fulham v West Brom, Craven Cottage Premiership, Sky Sports 1, 4.05pm In a season when the gap between the top and bottom of the table has widened more than ever before, this is a crucial relegation clash. Both clubs know that just 35 points could be enough to stay up.
