NFL Super Bowl LIV: channel, preview, time, odds, teams and half-time show for Kansas City Chiefs vs San Francisco 49ers in Miami

It’s that time of year again where everyone pretends to know their linebackers from their tight ends as they tune in for America’s biggest game.

The Super Bowl returns on Sunday night in Miami Gardens and that means another early start for American football fans in Asia if they want to catch every play.

Super Bowl LIV (54) will be contested by the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers as they look to become the champions of the NFL’s 100th season.

Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s star-studded showdown stateside, including which player has an eye on a place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games:

What time does it start?

The action begins at 7.30am Hong Kong time. Many bars and restaurants in the city are opening early and offering promotions for the big game.

Where can I watch it?

The game will be screened in full on Now Sports 5 (channel 635). For those who are more interested in the commercials, they will no doubt be on YouTube.

Who’s singing the national anthem?

Demi Lovato has been given the nod to belt out The Star Spangled Banner before kick-off.

Who’s performing in the half-time show?

The most prestigious slot in showbiz has pulled out all the stops with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira set to rock the Hard Rock Stadium. The Latin superstars are the culmination of a week-long celebration in the city with SuperFest featuring the likes of Cardi B, J-Lo’s Hustlers co-star, and Migos.

What are the odds?

It’s the Chiefs (14-4) who are the favourites in Vegas. They are paying $1.86 to win, while the 49ers (15-3), who are technically the visitors in Miami Gardens, paying $2.05. There’s not much in it.

Celebrity bettor Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, who went big on the Houston Astros in the MLB World Series, is backing the Niners. He has put US$1 million on them to win.

Elsewhere, Lele, a panda at the Memphis Zoo, has backed the Chiefs.

Who is going to be the star of the show?

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was the 2018 NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year as he took them to the AFC conference finals, where they lost to the eventual Super Bowl winners, the New England Patriots. The 24-year-old Texan, who was also a top prospect for the MLB draft, has gone one better this season.

His wide receiver, Tyreek Hill, is one of the fastest players in the league and has dreams of trying out for the USA’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics track team once the season is over. His teammates can keep up with him – the Chiefs were the fastest ball-carriers in the NFL this season.

The Niners are no slouches and were just behind their Super Bowl rivals for average speed. They did beat them for top speed though. Running back Raheem Mostert was fastest, hitting 22.85 miles per hour, and teammate Matt Breida peaking at 22.3mph on an 83-yard touchdown run against the Cleveland Browns. Mostert was only a touch slower on a touchdown in the title game against the Packers.

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo leads the Niners offence and he is looking for a third ring. He picked up the others as a largely unused understudy to Tom Brady at the Patriots but he’s reached his potential this season.

How did the teams get here?

The Chiefs topped the AFC West with a 12-4 regular season record, while the 49ers were top of the NFC West with a 13-3 record. Kansas City were the second best team in the AFC behind the Baltimore Ravens, while San Francisco were the best in the NFC.

The Chiefs smashed the Houston Texans 51-31 in the divisional play-off but they had to come from 21-0 down at the end of the first quarter, scoring 28 points before half-time. Mahomes threw for five touchdowns.

He threw for another three against the Tennessee Titans in the conference finals, helping his team to a 35-24 win and a first Super Bowl since 1970.

It was smoother for San Francisco, who beat the Minnesota Vikings 27-10 and then the Green Bay Packers 37-20 in the finals, a game in which they were never behind.