The Barclays Premier League, the top level of football in England, continues LIVE throughout the month on ESPN. Since the inception of the Premier League in 1992, one side has clearly been king.
In these 21 years, defending champions Manchester United have won 13 times, compared to three titles each for Chelsea and Arsenal and just one for Blackburn Rovers (winning their first title in 81 years in 1995) and for Manchester City in 2012. While the holders started the season lagging behind, they quickly found their rhythm and remain, as usual, a serious contender for the title.
Although the favorites remain the favorites, the EPL is considered wide-open this season, with Arsenal off to one of their best starts in years, Chelsea and Liverpool not far off the pace, a surprising Southampton hanging with the big boys (at least in the first half of the season), and a group of challengers led by Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City looking set to keep things interesting.
ESPN features weekend coverage of the English Premier League all season, airing LIVE and on short-turnaround. Also throughout the season are select games from England's Second Division, airing weekends following the EPL games, and this month, semifinal action from the Capital One Cup. NOTES: Games not available to cruise lines; matches airing on short-turnaround/taped on ESPN Caribbean will air LIVE on ESPN2 Caribbean.
*Schedule: LIVE coverage
Jan 7 & 8 - Capital One Cup - Semifinals, Leg 1
Jan 11 - 07:45am Barclays Premier League
Jan 13 - 03:00pm Barclays Premier League
Jan 18 - 10:00am Barclays Premier League
Jan 20 - 03:00pm Barclays Premier League
Jan 20 & 21 Capital One Cup - Semifinals, Leg 2
Jan 28 - 03:00pm Barclays Premier League
Jan 29 - 02:45pm Barclays Premier League
*NOTE: English Premier League not available to cruise lines.
MORE INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL - Spanish Primera División, Italian Serie A, German Bundesliga and Dutch First Division
Kick off the New Year with ESPN and continuing season coverage from four of the strongest, most dynamic leagues in international football: the Spanish Primera División, Italian Serie A, German Bundesliga and Dutch First Division, with January also featuring matches from the Copa del Rey, Spain's domestic Cup competition.
The Spanish Primera División has witnessed a festival of goal-scoring this season, led not only by the usual suspects, Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and, when healthy, Barcelona's Lionel Messi, but also by the Atlético de Madrid duo of Diego Costa and David Villa, who have kept their side right in step with the Big Two all season and, even with an especially tough draw, are aiming for a second consecutive Copa del Rey title.
The drama and passion of Italian football is on full display with more coverage on ESPN of top games from Italian Serie A. Roma has managed to maintain their brilliant start on the season, but serious challengers are everywhere. Defending champions Juventus have come to life behind Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tévez, while Napoli and Inter Milan have steadily climbed the standings. Meanwhile, Giuseppe Rossi has been on fire, scoring 11 goals in 12 games to take Fiorentina high up the standings.
While mighty Bayern Munich - winners last year of the coveted Triple by taking the league and domestic cup titles as well as the UEFA Champions League - continue to reign in the German Bundesliga, tough Borussia Dortmund, home to sharp Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, and scrappy Bayer Leverkusen have both made it clear that the holders will have to play their best if they hope to take home another trophy.
The Dutch First Division, the highest level of play in the Netherlands, continues to attract one of the largest crowds among all the European leagues. Known for fast, physical action, legendary Ajax - winners of the last three league titles - remains a name synonymous with great football action. While the holders look sharp, past champions Twente Enschede (2010) and AZ Alkmaar (2009) as well as Vitesse have all started the season strongly.
Catch weekend football coverage from around Europe airing LIVE and on short-turnaround throughout the year on
ESPN
; dates/times TBC closer to airdate.