Happy New Year to all EPL lovers.  I’ve written this weekly column from some interesting spots.  This time from soccer-mad Mexico with an extremely dodgy internet connection.  So no time for text per game, just the facts and the ratings.  ESPN takes its outstanding production to the Hawthorns this week to follow United.  On New Year’s Day Fox opts for the live City match against Blackpool and delays the London derby between Spurs and Fulham.  Wednesday night will hopefully be a great match at the Emirates.  Enjoy!

****: Must-see.  Cancel all other activities.  Do not even DVR as even in America you might hear the score!
***: Strong match; worth watching live; DVR a must if you can’t see live
**: Flip through quickly to see the goals, red cards, injuries, and perhaps watch the last 5 minutes + injury time if close
*:    Only if you’re a die-hard

Matches shown in chronological order:

Saturday, January 1, 2011 (all times EST)

*** West Brom v Man Utd, 7:45 am, ESPN2/ESPND & espn3.com
*** Liverpool v Bolton, 10 am, FS+ & foxsoccer.tv
*** Man City v Blackpool, 10 am, FSC/FD
*** West Ham v Wolverhampton, 10 am, foxsoccer.tv & 12 noon (delayed) FS+
** Stoke v Everton, 10 am, foxsoccer.tv & 2 pm (delayed) FS+
*** Tottenham v Fulham, 10 am, foxsoccer.tv & 2:30 pm (delayed) FSC/FD
** Sunderland v Blackburn, 10 am, foxsoccer.tv only
*** Birmingham v Arsenal, 12:30 pm, FSC/FD

Sunday, January 2

*** Chelsea v Aston Villa, 8:30 am, FSC (!)/FD
** Wigan v Newcastle, 11 am, FSC/FD

Tuesday, January 4

*** Man Utd v Stoke, 3 pm, FSC/FD
** Blackpool v Birmingham, 3 pm, FS+ & foxsoccer.tv
** Fulham v West Brom, 3 pm, ESPND & espn3.com

Wednesday, January 5

**** Arsenal v Man City, 2:45 pm, ESPN2/ESPND & espn3.com
** Wolverhampton v Chelsea, 2:45 pm, FSC/FD
** Newcastle v West Ham, 2:45 pm, foxsoccer.tv & 5 pm (delayed) FSC/FD
** Aston Villa v Sunderland, 2:45 pm, espn3.com
** Blackburn v Liverpool, 3 pm, FS+ & foxsoccer.tv
** Bolton v Wigan, 3 pm, espn3.com
*** Everton v Tottenham, 3 pm, espn3.com