Saturday
Football
Women’s World Cup – England v Haiti – ITV1 – 10.30
England, the European champions, open their campaign with a comparatively easy first game against underdogs Haiti. Expect a few goals from the Lionesses.
Cricket
The Ashes – England v Australia – Old Trafford – 4th Test – Day 4 – Sky Sports Cricket – 11.00
There are two possible winners at Old Trafford, England or the weather. At the end of day three Australia are 113 for 4, still 162 behind. Rain is forecast for most of Saturday so any play will be between the showers. The ball is likely to swing lees, but it is difficult for batsmen to get established with all the interruptions. Australia have enough batting left to set England a small target, so expect a tense finish (again) on Sunday with a chase against the clock.
Golf
The Open – Royal Liverpool – 3rd Day – Sky Sports Golf – 10.30
After the first two rounds American Brian Harman has a five shot lead over England’s Tommy Fleetwood who will be the final pair to tee off at 15.30. It’s Harman’s to lose and he has equalled the lowest score (-10) for the first two rounds of The Open. The other two who had the same score at the same stage were Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy and they both won.
Cycling
Tour de France – Stage 20 – ITV4 & Eurosport 1 – 12.00
Tadej Pogacar has one last very slim chance to overhaul Jonas Vingegaard in the penultimate stage, six mountain climbs from Belfort to Le Markstein. Vingegaard is unlikely to give up his 7 minutes plus lead and he proved the master in the mountains. So the last competitive stage will leave the Dane with a triumphant ride into Paris on Sunday to retain his crown.
F1
Hungarian GP – Qualifying – Sky Sports F1 – 15.00
If you like watching paint dry, then this is the one for you. Sport is about competition. At the moment there is no competition in F1.
Rugby League
Challenge Cup semi-final – Leigh v St Helens – BBC1 – 14.30
Leigh, back in the Super League, are having a fantastic season and have already defeated St Helens in the league. Leigh to reach their first Challenge cup Final since 1971 and beat favourites St Helens.
Sunday
Cricket
The Ashes – England v Australia Old Trafford – 4th Test Day 5 – Sky Sports Cricket – 11.00
England were frustrated by Marcus Labuschagne’s excellent century. Australia needs 61 runs to make England bat again and England need five wickets. Expect Australia to set England a modest total in the fourth innings, but also expect an exciting finish with the weather again intervening. England to level the series in another nail-biting climax.
FI
Hungarian GP – Sky Sports F1 – 14.00
Paint drying (Part 2) or perhaps not. Lewis Hamilton takes his first pole since the penultimate race of 2021 in Saudi Arabia. Overtaking is hard at the Hungaroring so if Hamilton can see off Max Verstappen at the first corner, he has a great chance of breaking Red Bull’s 2023 monopoly.
Golf
The Open – Royal Liverpool – 4th Day – Sky Sports Golf – 10.30
American Brian Harman still has a five shot lead, now over fellow American Cameron Young with Jon Rahm who won the this year’s Masters a shot further back. The final pair to tee off at 14.15. It’s still Harman’s to lose, but Jon Rahm with two Majors under his belt will push him close
Cycling
Tour de France – Final Stage – ITV4 & Eurosport 1 – 15.00
Tadej Pogacar did salvage some pride by wining the penultimate stage on Saturday, but only managed to cut Jonas Vingegaard’s lead by 6 seconds which remains over 7 minutes. So Sunday’s stage will just be a procession to Les Champs-Elysees to crown Vingegaard as champion for the second year running,
Rugby League
Challenge Cup semi-final – Hull KR v Wigan – BBC 2 – 17.00
Wigan to beat Hull KR and join Leigh in the Wembley final.
