It’s another busy weekend of sport as we head deeper into the festive period, and here are your top picks for December 2 and 3, including where and how you can watch the Premier League, UK Championship Snooker, Cricket, NFL and Boxing.
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UK Championship Snooker – BBC/Eurosport – Sessions start at 13:00; 19:00
We’re reaching the climax of the UK Championship this weekend, with plenty of big-hitters left scrapping it out on the famous York baize. But plenty of big names – including 2022 champion Mark Allen – have already fallen inside the Barbican Centre, opening the door for a potential shock ahead of Sunday’s final.
With seven-time winner Ronnie O’Sullivan looking a little hot and cold, we’re backing the victor of the Mark Selby vs Judd Trump quarter-final to go the whole way and pocket another Triple Crown paycheck. Trump is having a season to remember having scooped back-to-back-to-back rankings titles in Brentwood, Wuhan and Belfast and looks unplayable when he’s in and amongst the balls.
Premier League: Newcastle Utd vs Manchester Utd – TNT Sports 1 – Saturday 20:00
Erik ten Hag takes his side to St James’ Park on Saturday night looking to close the gap on the top five in the Premier League, and simultaneously open up a cushion between them and their opposition this weekend.
After an impressive 3-0 win away at Everton, the Red Devils were involved in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Galatasaray in the Champions League in midweek, and so goals could continue to flow in this one as they’re finding form and consistency in front of goal.
Newcastle have scored 31 goals in 13 league outings so far this season, and after seeing off Chelsea last time out before picking up a point at PSG in Europe on Tuesday night, Eddie Howe’s side should have enough of an edge to get all three points. Utd still look vulnerable defensively as seen in Turkey, and especially under the lights with a raucous home crowd backing the Magpies, it could be a difficult night for the visitors.
Ryan Garcia vs Oscar Duarte – DAZN – Sunday 04:00
Ryan Garcia is big, big business in the boxing world, so even bigger efforts are being made to ensure that his career gets back on track this weekend.
The flashy 25-year-old suffered a maiden career defeat at the brutal hands of Gervonta Davis earlier this year, but is looking to get back on the winning horse against Mexican-American Oscar Duarte this Saturday night in Houston, Texas.
Duarte is pretty inexperienced at the top table of boxing, so Garcia’s tactic of overwhelming the 27-year-old in and outside the ring looks a fruitful decision on paper. Garcia has some of the fastest hands in the sport and will eventually break down a game challenger in Duarte.
After a well-contested opening four rounds, we’re backing Ryan Garcia to win by stoppage in Rounds 7-9.
Cricket: India vs Australia [5th T20] – TNT Sports 4 – Sunday 13:30
After their battle in the World Cup Final last month, India and Australia have locked horns again over the past week in their T20 series ahead of the World Cup in this format next year.
Sunday’s encounter in Bengaluru could prove to be a decider to determine the winner of the series, and we’re expecting more fireworks in this one with the likes of Ishan Kishan and Glenn Maxwell in fine form.
It’s rarely a dull affair when these two cricketing nations meet, and so this could be another classic if they go into it level. Back India to gain a hollow sense of revenge after their heartbreak at the Narendra Modi Stadium last month, if it does indeed go down to the wire.
Manchester City vs Tottenham – Sky Sports Premier League – Sunday 16:30
If you were bold enough to assign Manchester City a “bogey” fixture, then the visit of Tottenham Hotspur would be pretty high on your list. City have won just two of their previous eight Premier League head-to-heads, with the north London club bagging a memorable five wins, scoring nine goals.
But this isn’t just any Manchester City vs Tottenham fixture.
Spurs’ squad has been decimated through injury this autumn, leaving Ange Postecoglou scratching his head as to how he has overseen three league defeats on the spin.
City weren’t their ruthless self against Liverpool last weekend, but will surely smell blood against a Spurs side that have conceded nine in their last four outings. Erling Braut Haaland, Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden all got on the scoresheet midweek against RB Leipzig and a similarly fluid display upfront is expected against a shell shocked Spurs. City to win this by two or three goals.
NFL: San Francisco 49ers @ Philadelphia Eagles – Sky Sports NFL – Sunday 21:25
Two of the top teams in the NFL go to war on Sunday night in a mouth-watering encounter at Lincoln Financial Field, with seeding ramifications on the line too.
The Eagles [10-1] look well placed to get the top seed again this season as Jalen Hurts and Co. continue to put together a relentless winning formula, but in the 49ers they face arguably their most difficult test.
At 8-3, the Niners know they’ll have to get this one on the road to try and pip their NFC rivals to the top seed, and with a stellar cast on both sides of the ball, they certainly can’t be dismissed, especially with a point to prove after their defeat in the NFC Championship Game in Philadelphia last season after Brock Purdy’s injury.
This should be an absolute humdinger between two top teams targeting Super Bowl glory this year, and if anyone is capable of going into Philly and getting the win, it’s San Francisco.
