LIVE SPORT ON TV FEBRUARY 24th and 25th
Saturday
Rugby Union
6 Nations
Ireland v Wales – Dublin – ITV1 – 14.15
Wales have lost their first two 6 Nations games narrowly, but this afternoon they meet an unbeaten Ireland side looking for a Grand Slam and reality will strike. I expect Ireland to be much too strong and much quicker than Wales and win easily. Andy Farrell has put together a machine that works just as well with new parts. Johnny Sexton has not been missed as player or captain with Peter O’Mahony taking over as the latter. He is part of the best back-row in the competition along with Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier with Jack Conan on the bench. Could be quite a mauling for the Welsh who haven’t won in Dublin for 12 years.
Scotland v England – Murrayfield, Edinburgh – BBC1 – 16.45
Keep Finn Russell quiet and you win the game. That’s England’s plan and new defence coach Felix Jones did just that in the World Cup last year when he fulfilled the same coaching position for South Africa. Probably easier said than done, particularly at Murrayfield. England have brought in George Furbank, who is having a fantastic season at Northampton and deserves the chance. Freddie Steward can consider himself very unlucky as he’s done nothing wrong, but Furbank brings a slightly different attacking option. Ollie Lawrence returns after injury to bolster the threequarters. Jamie Ritchie returns to the Scottish backrow. Scotland looked unfortunate to lose to France two weeks ago and should make up for it this afternoon with a close win against the auld enemy.
Football
Premier League
Bournemouth v Man City – Sky Sports Premier League – 17.30
Man City have struggled in the last two games to turn their overwhelming superiority and possession into goals. Chelsea held them to a draw and they only beat Brentford with one second-half goal from Erling Haaland. Even the the return of Kevin de Bruyne alongside the Norwegian centre forward hasn’t led to a glut of goals. That saying Bournemouth haven’t won in the league since Boxing Day. Bournemouth to provide stubborn resistance, but City to prevail.
Arsenal v Newcastle – TNT Sports 1 – 20.00
Can Arsenal put a poor midweek performance in the Champions League against Porto behind them. Despite the majority of possession they didn’t register one shot on target. This after a magnificent start to the New Year in the league putting six past West Ham and five past Burnley in their last two games and that after beating Liverpool 3-1. Newcastle’s form has been patchy recently, drawing with Bournemouth last week in stoppage time and coming from behind to draw with Luton both at home. They had an extremely good win away at Villa which shows what they are capable of, but Arsenal should rediscover their shooting boots with Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice all in fine form. A happy homecoming to the Emirates for the Gunners.
Sunday
Football
English League Cup Final
Chelsea v Liverpool – Wembley – Sky Sports Football/Main Event – 15.00
Can a patched up Liverpool give Jurgen Klopp the first trophy of his final season? Liverpool beat Chelsea twice in 2022 at Wembley in both the League Cup and FA Cup finals on penalties after scoreless games. Liverpool will be without Curtis Jones, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson and Diogo Jota and wait on late fitness tests on Mo Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Darwin Nunez. Chelsea had a good result last weekend drawing at Man City with Conor Gallagher leading by example as he did in the previous win against Crystal Palace. Klopp was made Liverpool a great team whoever plays and expect them to win and maybe again via penalties.
