Five days to the weekend

Monday

WITH the top and bottom six clubs in the SPL now decided, the post-split fixtures are due to be published today. In England, Manchester United will be looking to close in on the Premier League title with a win over city rivals Manchester City, although a share of the spoils would preserve their 15-point lead at the top with just seven games left to play. In tennis, the US Men’s Clay Court Championship, the Barcelona Open, the Grand Prix Hassan II in Casablanca and the BNP Paribas Open all get under way. There’s racing at Kelso, as well as Kempton and Wolverhampton.

Tuesday

THE Champions League quarter-final second legs kick off, with Borussia Dortmund at home to Malaga after a 0-0 draw in the first leg, while Galatasaray look as good as out as they host Real Madrid after losing 3-0 in the Bernabeu. There’s a busy fixture card in the Irn-Bru leagues, featuring Cowdenbeath v Livingston, Dumbarton v Raith, Dunfermline v Falkirk and Hamilton v Airdrie Utd in Division One. In Division Two Brechin host fellow play-off hopefuls Forfar.

Wednesday

THERE’S a top-of-the-table showdown in the Irn-Bru First Division with Partick Thistle hosting Morton. A home win would put Thistle five points clear of their visitors with a game in hand, but Morton can go top with a victory. In the Third Division, Annan are at home to Queen’s Park. In the Champions League quarter-final second legs, Barcelona host Paris St Germain, with the tie poised at 2-2, while Juventus must overturn a 2-0 deficit at home to Bayern MUnich..

Thursday

THE Europa League quarter-final second legs take centre stage on the football front, with Basle at home to Spurs and hoping to capitalise on a 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane. Chelsea travel to Rubin Kazan with a 3-1 first leg lead, while Newcastle face a tough test at home as they trail 3-1 to Benfica. In golf, the first major of the season – the US Masters – tees off at Augusta. Motor Racing’s Portuguese Rally gets under way.

Friday

THE RaboDirect PRO12 features Edinburgh v Connacht, with the Scottish outfit looking for a third straight win, and league leaders Glasgow travelling to Scarlets. Ulster host Newport Gwent Dragons. Sale are at home to Gloucester in the Aviva Premiership. In football, Leicester, who still have a play-off place in their sights, host Birmingham in the Championship while Accrington are at home to Morecambe in npower League Two. Practice gets under way for the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, while horse racing comes from Chepstow, Lingfield, Wetherby and Wolverhampton.