Five days to the weekend

Monday

HIBS fans will be wondering which side shows up at Easter Road this evening to face Aberdeen in the SPL as the Scottish Cup finalists return to league duty following the previous weekend’s game of two halves when they came back from 3-0 down to beat Falkirk in the semi-final. Derek McInnes takes charge of the Dons for the first time. In England, Manchester United can clinch the Premier League title by beating Aston Villa at Old Trafford. In tennis the Barcelona Open gets under way.

Tuesday

THE first of the Uefa Champions League semi-finals kicks off, with Bayern Munich hosting Barcelona, who hope to have Lionel Messi fit, in the first leg. In Scotland, third-placed Brechin host Stranraer in Division Two, while in England beaten FA Cup semi-finalists Millwall are at home to Blackburn in the Championship. In League One, it’s Crawley v Preston, Crewe v Sheffield Utd and Shrewsbury v Oldham. Cycling’s Tour de Romandie gets under way in Switzerland, while the day’s racing is scheduled for Ffos Las, Newton Abbot, Towcester, Wolverhampton and Yarmouth.

Wednesday

THE second Uefa Champions League semi-final of the week features Borussia Dortmund at home to Real Madrid in the first leg. It’s the third consecutive season Real have reached the last four, but they have not graced the final since 2002. Dortmund are the only team unbeaten in the Champions League this season – including a win and a draw against Real. Cricket’s Indian Premier League features Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians. In racing, Perth’s three-day April Festival gets under way, in addition to meetings at Catterick, Epsom, Sedgefield and Taunton.

Thursday

THE Europa League semi-finals get under way, with Chelsea the only remaining British side in the tournament. Rafael Benitez’s men travel to Spurs’ conquerers Basle for the first leg, while Fenerbahce host Benfica. Cricket’s second Test between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh gets under way in Harare. In golf, the Ballantine’s Championship tees off in Incheon along with the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

Friday

THE only football action of the day features Leicester v Watford in the Championship, where a win or a draw for the home side would see them join their visitors among the promotion play-off spots. On the rugby front, Perpignan host Stade Francais in the semi-final of the Amlin Challenge Cup, while in cricket there is a quartet of fixtures in the LV= County Championship Division One. Diving’s World Series moves on to Moscow and in racing Perth’s April Festival draws to a close. There are further race meetings scheduled for Chepstow, Doncaster, Plumpton and Sandown.