ESPN LIVE BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHES FOR FEBRUARY
- Both Manchester clubs set to feature on ESPN
- Live matches add to line-up of British and European football over rest of 2012/13 season
ESPN has unveiled the Barclays Premier League fixtures that it will broadcast exclusively live in February with the Barclays Premier League’s current top two teams set to feature. The new games join a host of live football on ESPN during the coming months, including the Third and Fourth Rounds of the FA Cup, from the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, plus Rangers matches from the Irn-Bru Scottish Football League. In addition to top British football, ESPN will bring fans televised coverage of European leagues including Germany’s Bundesliga, Italy’s Serie A and France’s Ligue 1.
To start the month, current table toppers Manchester United travel to London to face Martin Jol’s Fulham. This will be Dimitar Berbatov’s first opportunity to play against his former team, following his deadline day move to Craven Cottage. United haven’t found this particular fixture easy going over the years, most notably in 2009 when they were comprehensively beaten twice. Last season saw an upturn in fortunes however, with strikes from five different players, including Berbatov, culminating in a 5-0 win for the Red Devils.
Next up, relegation-threatened Southampton play host to 2012 champions Manchester City. Roberto Mancini’s men finished November unbeaten in the Barclays Premier League only three points off top spot, and will be heavy favourites going into this game. Southampton have saved their best form for St Mary’s however, and only two late goals from Robin van Persie stopped the Saints from securing a memorable win over Man United back in September.
Over the first few months of 2013, ESPN will also air exclusively live FA Cup coverage including Third and Fourth Round matches – plus replays – during January as Barclays Premier League and Championship clubs join the world’s oldest cup competition. Also, ESPN’s extensive coverage of European leagues will continue, bringing viewers some of the biggest games on the continent, from the German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A and French Ligue 1.
Simon Potter, Head of Programming and Production, ESPN EMEA said: “As we move into 2013, we’re delighted to be able to offer fans a varied range of live football from some of the biggest leagues in the world. The Barclays Premier League continues to both excite and surprise this season, and in addition to the FA Cup, Clydesdale Bank Premier League, Irn Bru Scottish Football League and the European leagues, ESPN has an enviable amount of live action to keep the most ardent football fans entertained this winter.”
SCHEDULE: EXCLUSIVELY LIVE TELEVISED FOOTBALL ON ESPN
December
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 22nd Liverpool v Fulham 4:30pm
Saturday 29th Arsenal v Newcastle 4:30pm
FA Cup – Second Round Replays
Wednesday 12th Mansfield Town v Lincoln City 7:30pm
Thursday 13th Hastings United v Harrogate Town 7:30pm
UEFA Europa League – Group Stage – Matchday 6
Thursday 6th Bordeaux v Newcastle United 6:00pm
Clydesdale Bank Premier League
Saturday 8th Kilmarnock v Celtic 11.45am
Irn-Bru Scottish Football League
Saturday 15th Montrose v Rangers 12:00pm
January
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 19th West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa 4:30pm
FA Cup – Third Round
Saturday 5th Fixture TBC
Sunday 6th Fixture TBC
Tuesday 15th Replay: Fixture TBC
FA Cup – Fourth Round
Saturday 26th Fixture TBC
Sunday 27th Fixture TBC
Clydesdale Bank Premier League
Sunday 20th Motherwell v St. Johnstone 2.15pm
Wednesday 30th St. Johnstone v Aberdeen 7:00pm
Irn-Bru Scottish Football League
Wednesday 2nd Annan Athletic v Rangers 12:15pm
Sunday 20th Peterhead v Rangers 11:30am
*Live European league fixtures to be confirmed shortly
February
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 2nd February Fulham v Manchester United 4:30pm
Saturday 9th February Southampton v Manchester City 4:30pm
*Live European league fixtures to be confirmed shortly
MULTI-PLAFORM FOOTBALL COVERAGE ON ESPN DIGITAL MEDIA
ESPN’s televised football coverage is complemented by news and analysis via ESPN.co.uk and ESPNFC, the sports media company’s multi-language and multi-country service for football fans that showcases ESPN’s commitment to covering global football. ESPNFC covers all the major leagues and competitions globally – online and on mobile, as well as through selected TV programmes, via a single brand.
ESPNFC Press Pass, the football discussion show that looks daily at the game with a global perspective features panelists and contributors from around the world of football – including Shaka Hislop, Robbie Mustoe, Frank LeBoeuf, Jorge Ramos, Gabriele Marcotti and more.
ESPN’s multiplatform coverage of the Barclays Premier League this season includes ESPN Goals, the mobile app that hosts ESPN’s exclusive mobile highlights rights to all 380 Barclays Premier League matches. ESPN Goals delivers every single goal to mobile devices within minutes of the action – for free.