Sport on TV this weekend – August 19th & 20th
Saturday
Football
Premier League – Tottenham v Man Utd – Sky Sports Premier League/Main Event – 17.30
Neither side was particularly convincing in their first games of the Premier League, with Spurs drawing away at Brentford and Man Utd scraping a lucky win against Wolves who had a legitimate penalty denied. James Maddison looks to be a really good acquisition for Tottenham, but Richarlison is no Kane. Man Utd struggled and Mason Mount has still to settle in. A dull score draw.
Premier League – Man City v Newcastle – TNT Sports 1 – 20.00
Both sides won well last weekend with Newcastle looking impressive against Villa. Newcastle’s Italian international Sandro Tonali maybe the best buy of the close season, scoring and making goals. However Man City have also started well, but had a hard midweek game in Athens winning the European Super Cup. They will certainly miss Kevin de Bruyne. Guardiola likes to introduce new recruits slowly into the team, but Mateo Kovacic finds himself thrust into the mix immediately. Immensely experienced with seasons at Inter, Real Madrid and Chelsea, he has to take on the influential role of the departed Gundogan and provide some decent service for Haaland. Think that Man City still have too much nous for Newcastle and expect them to win by the odd goal.
Rugby Union
Pre-World Cup Friendlies
Wales v South Africa – Amazon Prime – 15.15
Wales have looked far from impressive in their two games against England and will be facing World Cup holders South Africa with what looks to be a weakened side. South Africa had a good International Series, beating Australia and Argentina, but losing to the All Blacks. South Africa have great strength in depth, shown when they beat Australia with basically their second string. So South Africa to win and go to France in good spirits and Wales to be one of the also-rans.
Ireland v England – Amazon Prime- 17.30
Another round of fairly meaningless pre-WorldCup friendlies where the main objective seems to be to avoid getting injured and missing the World Cup proper. The Ireland/England game has an interesting side story with England’s captain Owen Farell and his father Ireland coach Andy Farrell involved. Owen won’t be playing against his father’s side this weekend and Andy has criticised the decision of World Rugby to appeal against overturning Owen’s red card from last weekend. England have been pretty poor in the two games against Wales and Ireland look like they’re sending out their strongest side. A win for Ireland and another dent in England’s confidence before the World Cup.
Sunday
Women’s World Cup
Spain v England – BBC 1/iPlayer & ITV 1 – 11.00
Can the Lionesses emulate the heroes of 1966? The answer is yes. Expect a close match as all matches between the top sides in this competition, but England’s new found confidence after winning the European Championship will see them crowned as World Champions as well. Experience is everything. Even after losing some of the more influential players from last year’s team, manager Sarina Wiegman has maintained a winning team. The main question is will she stick with the starting eleven that beat Australia in the semi-final or bring back the suspended Lauren James. Spain will pose problems, but England to win.
