Fox Sports Media Group has set its "Survival Sunday" lineup.
For the first time in U.S. TV history, FSMG's portfolio on May 13 will team to showcase nine live games simultaneously on the Barclays Premier League's "Relegation Sunday", with hardware, European honors and financial survival -- the teams finishing in the18th to 20th positions will be dropped from England's top circuit -- on the line. For their part, the top four sides ensure passage to the UEFA Champions League, the world's most prestigious and lucrative club tournament, while the clubs finishing in fifth and sixth can qualify for the 2012-2013 UEFA Europa League.
With an assist from FX, FSMG networks Speed, FSN, Fuel TV, Fox Soccer, premium service Fox Soccer Plus and Fox Deportes, plus digital platform FoxSoccer.com and broadband service Soccer 2Go, will air the matches live at 10 a.m. (ET). Pre-match coverage begins at 9:30 a.m. on all networks, sans Speed, with all outlets carrying post-match coverage of this hallmark event. Anchored on FX, the pre-match, halftime and post-match coverage (English) will be hosted by Rob Stone, with analysis from Eric Wynalda, Warren Barton and Brian McBride. All of the FSMG outlets will show the BPL trophy presentation following the day's events along with highlights from all 10 Survival Sunday games, one of which - Manchester City looking to clinch the title against Queens Park Rangers - will air on ESPN2 and ESPN3.
With teams living and dying with each goal on Survival Sunday, fans can keep tabs on all the action at once via FOXSoccer.com/SurvivalSunday with real-time standings updates after every change. Twitter conversations surrounding all games will be streamlined on FoxSoccer.com/SurvivalSunday, allowing fans to follow the day's events simultaneously (hashtag #SurvivalSunday). There will be live play-by-play for all 10 Survival Sunday matches with Fox Soccer MatchTrax, along with exclusive video highlights from every game throughout the day.
Here's how FSMG describes the matchups and its take on the BPL stakes:
Match Network
Sunderland v Manchester United FX & Fox Deportes
Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United visits Sunderland needing a win to keep title hopes alive in the race against Manchester City.
Chelsea v Blackburn Rovers Speed
Chelsea's midseason revival continues against recently doomed Blackburn. Rovers were relegated following Monday's defeat to Wigan, and Chelsea needs to win in order to remain in the hunt for European qualification.
Swansea City v Liverpool Fuel TV
Following FA Cup disappointment against Chelsea, English giant Liverpool and captain Steven Gerrard look to finish their season on a high note against upstart Swansea City.
West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal FSN
In a vital match for Arsenal, the Gunners aim to secure their place in next season's UEFA Champions League by winning at West Bromwich Albion.
Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham Fox Soccer
Chasing an all-important UEFA Champions League position, Tottenham hosts Fulham and American superstar Clint Dempsey at North London's White Hart Lane.
Stoke City v Bolton Wanderers Fox Soccer Plus
At one of the most intimidating venues in English soccer, Stoke City hosts a Bolton team desperately seeking to avoid relegation at the Britannia Stadium. Sitting in the relegation zone in eighteenth place, Bolton must win to avoid dropping into the English second division.
Everton v Newcastle United FoxSoccer.com
In one of the most important clashes on Survival Sunday, Newcastle looks to secure its place in next season's UEFA Champions League, while Everton needs to win for a shot at UEFA Europa League qualification.
Norwich City v Aston Villa Fox Soccer 2GO
In its first season since gaining promotion to the Barclays Premier League, Norwich City has impressed and looks to go out on a high against Aston Villa at Carrow Road.
Wigan Athletic v Wolverhampton Wanderers FOX Soccer 2GO
Safe from relegation after defeating Blackburn Rovers on Monday, a resurgent Wigan team celebrates its Barclays Premier League survival at home against last place Wolverhampton.
Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers ESPN/MatchTrax
Manchester City seeks to capture its first Barclays Premier League title against a Queens Park Rangers team fighting to avoid relegation.
