The focus was still on the big clubs and the shows were very irregular. They followed the same format as the previous year with a mixture of live League games on Sunday afternoons and highlights shows for the FA Cup. This was also Jimmy Hill's final season as presenter after a record 15 years in charge of the show.
September 20, 1987
The first live Match of the Day of 1987 features two of the season's most talked-about teams.
Episode 3
17th October 1987: Liverpool v Queens Park Rangers
October 17, 1987
Billed as part of "Sports Special" with Snooker, Golf and Cricket (30min football).
Episode 4
1st November 1987: Liverpool v Everton
November 1, 1987
Of the 136 League derbies played between the giants of Merseyside, all of them in the First Division, Liverpool have won 48 to Everton's 47, with 41 games drawn. These clubs head the parade of champions, Liverpool having won the title 16 times and Everton taking their total to nine last season.
Episode 5
22nd November 1987: Derby County v Chelsea
November 22, 1987
BBC cameras are at the Baseball Ground to assess clubs of great tradition who were in the Second Division when they last met four seasons ago.
Episode 6
13th December 1987: Coventry City v Arsenal
December 13, 1987
George Graham 's forecast, when he took over at Highbury last year, was that Arsenal could be genuine contenders for the league title within two seasons. The timing looks right. Last month's 14th successive win set a new Arsenal record. Coventry City did not need a trophy cabinet until they won the FA Cup last May, but all that Sky Blue excitement at Wembley has been hard to follow this season.
Episode 7
28th December 1987
December 28, 1987
As a breath of fresh air over the holiday, here's action highlights from two Barclays League First Division matches with analysis and interviews. Manchester United v Everton Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United
Episode 8
3rd January 1988: Everton v Nottingham Forest
January 3, 1988
The first live football coverage of the New Year features two of the clubs who have spent the first half of the season in pursuit of the Barclays League leaders.
Episode 9
10th January 1988: FA Cup Third Round: Ipswich Town v Manchester United
January 10, 1988
The FA Cup, won six times by Manchester United, has gone to East Anglia just once - ten years ago, when Bobby Robson 's Ipswich shocked Arsenal at Wembley.
Episode 10
16th January 1988
January 16, 1988
Highlights of one of today's top Barclay's League matches, an action report from another, and a comprehensive round-up of the day's other soccer stories. Liverpool v Arsenal Aston Villa v Ipswich Town
Episode 11
24th January 1988: Arsenal v Manchester United
January 24, 1988
After establishing a club record of 14 straight wins in the first half of the season, Arsenal have momentarily gone off the boil. A draw against West Ham and victories over Charlton and Queens Park Rangers make up Manchester United's record in London this season. Past form at Highbury favours United and a close encounter. They have won there three times in the last four seasons, all by the odd goal, as was Arsenal's victory in the corresponding match last season.
Episode 12
30th January 1988: FA Cup Fourth Round
January 30, 1988
Action highlights from this afternoon's games, plus all the atmosphere and tension that surrounds the Cup. Manchester United v Chelsea Port Vale v Tottenham Hotspur Leyton Orient v Nottingham Forest
Episode 13
21st February 1988: FA Cup Fifth Round: Everton v Liverpool
February 21, 1988
The FA Cup Fifth Round brings yet another mighty confrontation between the giants of Mersey side, with Everton attempting to reach the final for the fourth time in five seasons and Liverpool chasing a unique second double success in Championship and Cup.
Episode 14
28th February 1988: League Cup Semi-Final, Second Leg: Luton Town v Oxford United
February 28, 1988
Luton were barred from last season's Littlewoods Cup because of their ban on away fans. They had second thoughts for 1987-88 and now, after drawing the first leg of this semi-final 1-1 at Oxford, will fancy their chance of reaching only the second final in their history. Oxford surprised many when they won the Milk Cup two years ago, so they have the flavour of Wembley. They are also fighting for their First Division lives.
Episode 15
6th March 1988: Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
March 6, 1988
The last live match from this season's Barclays League is the 102nd time these great north London rivals have disputed points in a series that began in 1909. Rival managers George Graham and Terry Venables are friends of long standing, but there will be no old pals' act on the field. There never has been, as the summary of results shows: 41 wins for Arsenal, 39 for Spurs, with 21 games drawn.
Episode 16
12th March 1988: FA Cup Sixth Round
March 12, 1988
Action highlights, analysis and interviews, plus all the atmosphere and tension that surrounds the Cup. Arsenal v Nottingham Forest Wimbledon v Watford Luton Town v Portsmouth
Episode 17
4th April 1988
April 4, 1988
Action highlights from two matches in the Barclays League, at a crucial point of the season. Portsmouth v Nottingham Forest Liverpool v Manchester United
Episode 18
9th April 1988: FA Cup Semi-finals
April 9, 1988
Only one step away from Wembley, a journey never experienced before by First Division newcomers Wimbledon. This afternoon at White Hart Lane, they face Luton Town who will be trying to achieve a record fourth appearance there in one season. Meanwhile at Hillsborough, Liverpool, no strangers to Wembley themselves, will also be aiming for a record - to be the first club to achieve the League and FA Cup 'double' for the second time in history. Only Nottingham Forest can stop them, although knowing that Brian Clough has never been to the final in this competition either as a player or manager could provide his young side with the necessary motivation to do so.
Episode 19
14th May 1988: FA Cup Final: Wimbledon v Liverpool
May 14, 1988
Highlights of this afternoon's FA Cup Final from Wembley Stadium between Liverpool and Wimbledon. Jimmy Hill presents the best action, analyses the key moments and talks to the players and manager of the victorious side.