The phrase
"midweek fixture" refers to a sports game or match that takes place in the middle of the week, usually on a Wednesday or Thursday, instead of the more common weekend games.
Full definition
There are also a number of intriguing battles at the foot of the table, so, without further ado, read on to see who the Magic Man is tipping ahead of a crucial set
of midweek fixtures...
Mauricio Pochettino's side counted themselves unlucky to lose 4 - 2 to Chelsea in their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, but the manager knows his players must bounce back in a tricky
midweek fixture against an Eagles team bristling with con...
Alli is still serving his European suspension so missed Spurs»
midweek fixture at home to Borussia Dortmund but will return to the starting eleven this weekend.
Mauricio Pochettino's side counted themselves unlucky to lose 4 - 2 to Chelsea in their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, but the manager knows his players must bounce back in a
tricky midweek fixture against an Eagles team bristling with confidence after beating Liverpool at Anfield.
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The key difference between last year and this, of course, is that Chelsea are back
playing midweek fixtures in the Champions League, but Conte doesn't seem to have found a way to adjust for that.
Monday night games were always great fun when it was one of the days on
which midweek fixtures were played; but now that it is reserved for the weekend's afterthought contest it has just become an irritating wait.
The demand on players is huge,
midweek fixtures come in thick and fast in what proves to be a long, hard slog of a season which takes no prisoners.
The schedule changes mean the league will have just two
midweek fixture dates next season: Sept. 26 and April 3.
The recent trip to Leeds marked the 10th time that Villa have sold out their away allocation this season, an impressive feat given the number
of midweek fixtures.
In both games against their top - four rivals the Merseyside outfit failed to seriously test either goalkeeper and Rodgers wants that to change starting with
the midweek fixture at Ewood Park:
Ahead of
the midweek fixtures, the Hammers sit sixth in the Premier League table, only one point behind fifth - placed Manchester United and six behind Tottenham Hotspur, who currently occupy the fourth Champions League spot.
Giroud played full 90 mins today I hv d feeling Walcott will play full 90 mins in
our midweek fixture.
Meanwhile, BT show a further 42 Saturday evening and
midweek fixtures, meaning that UK viewers will have access to a total of 168 games beginning in 2016 - 17.
We may have to bid to return to form without the help of our new record signing due to illness however, while Jack Wilshere has already missed
the midweek fixture with the same issue.
However, only time will tell if Roma can handle a jam packed schedule of
midweek fixtures and make the computers look smart.
After a handful of
midweek fixtures, there are six league matches coming up over the weekend - with four live on Sky Sports Premier League - while Manchester United face Tottenham and Chelsea play Southampton in the FA Cup semis.
The Brazil international went off injured in the 52nd minute of Sunday's 3 - 0 victory over the Gunners at Wembley and
their midweek fixture against the same opponents comes too soon for his return.
Leading eight points from Borussia Dortmund before
the midweek fixtures started, Bayern immediately took an attacking setup.
The midweek fixtures against Bayern Munchen will be exhausting.
Ramires missed out
the midweek fixture due to a minor problem.
Since then the Terriers have been dropping down the Premier League table, starting
the midweek fixture list in 14th, just two points above the relegation zone.
That leaves the Magpies two points behind the Seagulls heading into
their midweek fixture.
The Frenchman responded with a neat goal against Spartak Moscow in
the midweek fixture.
Derby start
the midweek fixtures in second place, and although we expect Aston Villa and Wolves to seal the automatic promotion places, the Rams have been fighting well this season.
The Manchester Evening News report that while United remain hopeful that Rooney, Juan Mata (who picked up an injury against Watford) and Martial could feature at Old Trafford this week, both Ander Herrera and Phil Jones are now expected to be unavailable for
the midweek fixture having picked up knocks against the Hornets.
Hosts Leicester City start
the midweek fixture list in the bottom half and with a day's extra rest following their 1 - 1 draw at lowly West Ham on Friday night.
What a batch of
midweek fixtures it was as Bournemouth slaughtered Chelsea, Swansea tripped up Arsenal, Everton purchase Theo Walcott bagged a brace...
The Premier League presents a different prospect though and many of those rested for
the midweek fixture should return to the fold, lending greater urgency to their play.
However, their abysmal record against the top teams this season combined with
their midweek fixture in Spain, and their general malaise in the second half of the season opens the door for Arsenal.
Sunderland Preview: While Blackburn have been resting up ahead of
this midweek fixture, Sunderland were embroiled in a tough tussle at Goodison Park against Everton in the FA Cup on Saturday.
The first set of
midweek fixtures this season falls just before Christmas and there are some good matchups for making money this weekend.
Berbatov scored against Birmingham in
the midweek fixture to take his tally to 14.
Ahead of
the midweek fixtures, Roma have opened up a two point lead at the summit and Rudi Garcia's men definitely were the big winners in an action packed weekend of football in Italy.
Leganes go into
this midweek fixture down in 13th as they have won just one of their last six league games (D2 L3).