26 December,2009 07:03 AM IST | | A Correspondent
There's plenty of football and cricket on TV for a time like this when you don't feel like getting out of the bed
Former Inter Milan boss will make his managerial debut for Manchester City when they take on Stoke City at home on Saturday.
Though Mancini has denied it, rumours are rife that the dressing room is unhappy after the sudden sacking ofu00a0 Mancini's predecessor Mark Hughes.
The club owners were disappointed with the way Hughes managed the team despite being given a huge transfer fund and hence decided to axe him.
Many managers including city rival Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson have said that Hughes sacking was uncalled for.
Under such circumstances, the pressure will surely be on Mancini now to turn things around for Man City. And if Hughes' sacking is anything to go by, Mancini will surely be wondering if a few failures will also prompt the bosses to pull the curtains on his first stint in the English Premier League.
Manchester City vs Stoke City Live on ESPN, Saturday, 20:25
Other live action on Saturday
Birmingham City vs Chelsea Live on ESPN Saturday, 18:10
Fulham vs. Tottenham Hotspur Live on Star Sports Saturday, 18:25
Sunderland vs. Everton Live on Star Sports Saturday, 20:30
Liverpool vs. Wolverhamptonu00a0 Live on ESPN Saturday, 22:55
India will look to continue winning run
THE five-match series against the visiting Sri Lankans was secured at the Eden Gardens on Thursday. But that doesn't mean both teams will be short on aggression or motivation. While Kumar Sangakkara and Co will be looking to end their unsuccessful tour on a winning note, skipper MS Dhoni, who returns after serving a two-match ban, and the team will be looking to continue their winning run and clinch the series 4-1.
Live on Neo Cricket, Sunday 09:00
Will England defy South Africa again?
ENGLAND looked down and out after a lower order collapse in the final session of the first Test but Paul Collingwood and last man Graham Onions hung on to salvage a draw.
South Africa will go into the second Test that starts today at Durban believing that they can do slightly better and claim a victory but England will also be on a high after salvaging a lost battle in the first Test.
South Africa vs England, Second Test, Live on Ten Sports, 14:00
Pakistan will look to upset the Aussiesu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
West Indies may have lost the series 2-0 but they did take the fight to the Australians. And this will surely give Pakistan, who drew the Test series in New Zealand recently, serious hopes of beating the Australians in their own backyard. But the Aussies will also be eager to show that the struggle to beat the Windies was an anomaly.
Australia vs Pakistan, First Test, Live on Star Cricket, 04:58 (From Sat)
Arsenal look to move up the table
After recording impressive victories over Liverpool and Hull in their last three matches, Arsenal look to have recovered from a dispiriting 3-0 home defeat to Chelsea that saw them widely written off as also-rans.
Six points behind leaders Chelsea and two behind Manchester United, the Gunners have the advantage of having played a game less and now can be considered as title-contenders.
But to make a serious claim for the title, they will have to overcome the stiff test expected against Aston Villa who are in good form and are fourth on the table.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa Live on ESPN, Sunday, 18:55
Man Utd sweat over defenders
Manchester United have rarely been so out-played as they were last weekend, when they slumped to a 3-0 loss at Fulham which manager Alex Ferguson himself thought might end up costing his side a fourth successive title.
Injuries to Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Wes Brown, John O'Shea and Gary Neville have forced Ferguson to play midfielders Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick in defence. Four points behind Chelsea with Arsenal and Aston Villa breathing down their neck, Man Utd must ensure three points against relegation candidates Hull to keep their hopes of another title alive.
Hull City vs Manchester United Live on ESPN, Sunday, 21:25
