D-word can sustain South Coast rivals, but cricket needs a lifeline

The Champions League’s 36-team bumper table format seems to suit English clubs. Three of them ended up in the top eight last year, meaning they earned a bye to the round of 16, and there are five in the seeded positions with a round to go this time. If this is maintained, England has a chance to match its four quarter-finalists in 2019.

Newcastle United and Chelsea are in the protected spots only on goal difference and must travel to Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain, though Antonio Conte’s Italian champions look wobbly. Tottenham Hotspur might fancy their trip to Eintracht Frankfurt, who have lost five times in this league, while Liverpool and Manchester City host Qarabag and Galatasaray. Arsenal, already through with seven wins from seven, have a gentle home tie to finish against bottom club Kairat, from Kazakhstan (Wednesday, all on TNT Sports 2-4 or Extra, 8pm).

The first “derby” in football was played between Hallam and Sheffield 165 years ago, though the D-word does not appear to have been used in print for a rivalry in that sport until the big clash between Low Moor and Clitheroe in 1883. Portsmouth first played Southampton in 1899 and they meet today for the 73rd time in what we could call the M27 derby. Or perhaps it should be the Harry Redknapp derby after the man who managed Saints for a year between two stints with their rivals.

The last league win for either side in this fixture came during the Redknapp era in 2005, when his former and future team beat the one he then managed 4-1 at Fratton Park. With both sides now in the bottom half of the Championship, another draw may help to keep the rivalry going into next season (Sky Sports+, today, noon).

Over in Seattle, one kind of football team have an Englishman on their coaching staff this year. Aden Durde, from Finsbury Park, is the defensive coordinator for the Seahawks, who are one win away from the Super Bowl. They play the LA Rams tonight after the Denver Broncos, who will be led by a reserve quarterback who last threw a pass in the NFL two years ago, host the New England Patriots (Sky Sports Main, 8pm and 11.30pm).

I write this column beside the real tennis court at Lord’s, as one does. The cricket ground is a building site at the moment as they demolish the Allen Stand. England’s players have also crumbled this winter but seven of the Ashes side are now on a limited-overs tour to Sri Lanka. The third 50-over match is in Colombo on Tuesday (TNT Sports 1, 9am), with a three-match Twenty20 series beginning in Pallekele on Friday (same channel, 1.30pm). At least it won’t spoil your sleep.

Photograph by Steph Chambers/Getty Images