Your Sporting Alternative to Valentine’s Day

It’s a shame they can’t extend the January transfer deadline up to Valentine’s Day.

Following the deadline deals while making the most of Tesco’s reduced offer on Haagen Dazs would be a satisfactory night in to rival any romantic meal for two.

Still, it’s not a complete sporting write off. You’ve got the Europa League knockout stages and there are sure to be a number of people with the same idea of heading down to the Blue Bar. The draw has smiled kindly on the single football fans this Valentines.

Liverpool travel to Russia in the early 5pm kick-off against Zenit St. Petersburg. Then at just after 8pm Tottenham host Lyon in what should be the more exciting of the two games. Add a drink at each interval and you won’t even be noticing the love themed socials leaving for Tau come half nine.

There will be fresh talking points too. Cristiano Ronaldo might have torn United apart the previous night and there may well be a few Irish and Frenchmen in the house who want to argue about the weekend results. Use the money you would have spent otherwise on an expensive meal, Pandora charm or Groupon spa day and treat yourself to an upcoming game at Carrow Road or even one of the Six Nation fixtures.

Pop into Coral on the walk home, the weekends accumulators can be filled out earlier than usual. Do avoid getting glued to the big screen though. You’ll be sat next to the greasy haired, toothless regular for the following hour without realising it.

If you’re in the mood for a film resist Dear John. For something a bit higher brow go with Invictus, Senna or Moneyball but if you’re wanting easy laughs Happy Gilmore will provide. If you are really scraping the barrel there is always Bring It On or Space Jam. Football Manager, known to end a relationship or two, can take you into the next morning searching for pre-season bargains.

If you’re in a relationship already and your other half is content to join you in the above arrangement, you may well have found the one for you.