Live Sport on TV this weekend – December 30th & 31st
Saturday
Football
Luton v Chelsea – TNT Sports 1 – 12.30
Both teams have beaten Sheffield Utd in recent games (who doesn’t) so that doesn’t give us much of a clue as to the result of this game. However Luton had a very good win in their last home game against Newcastle before their Boxing Day win against Sheffield Utd, so should fear no one. Chelsea struggled to beat Crystal Palace on Wednesday, but they do have Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer back after suspension to strengthen their squad. A dour game in prospect with an under-achieving Chelsea against an over-achieving Luton. Hard to call, but a score draw seems the likely outcome.
Nottingham Forest v Man Utd – Sky Sports Premier League/Main Event – 17.30
It’s been a mixed start for Nuno Espirito Santo’s new job as Nottingham Forest’s manager with an unlucky loss to Bournemouth when Willy Boly was controversially sent off early on and then a sparkling victory of Boxing Day when they beat Newcastle away with Chris Wood scoring a hat-trick, Man Utd had a very good comeback win against Aston Villa with a couple goals from Alejandro Garnacho and a first Premier League goal for Rasmus Hojlund. Is this the turnaround that Jim Ratcliffe’s involvement in the club will bring? Somehow doubt it and Forest have nothing to fear and should win to show that the Ratcliffe factor won’t improve them overnight.
Rugby Union
English Premiership – Northampton v Sale – TNT Sports 1 – 15.05
A win for either club would mean top spot in the Premiership, at least temporarily. Before Christmas both sides had two point wins, Northampton against Gloucester and Sale against Saracens. Sale’s performance against Saracens was probably the better of the two and put down a marker for Sale as potential champions. Northampton’s recent form has been good so expect a close game controlled by two excellent fly-halves, Fin Smith for Northampton and George Ford for Sale. Courtney Lawes, still playing some of his best rugby at 34, up against Ben Curry in the Sale back row is another intriguing matchup. Another two point game a possibility, but which way? Northampton with home advantage.
English Premiership – Harlequins v Gloucester – ITV 4 & TNT Sports 2 – 17.30
A rare Premiership game on terrestrial tv with coverage on ITV4. Gloucester haven’t proved to be the sum of their parts this season and while Quins form has been up and down, having been trashed by Toulouse in Europe and beaten by a resurgent Bath before Christmas, the home side should prevail. With their powerful back line of Danny Care, Marcus Smith, Andre Esterhuizen, Tyrone Green, Cadan Murley and Louis Lynagh.
Sunday
Football
Fulham v Arsenal – Sky Sports Premier League/Main Event – 14.00
Another London derby for Arsenal and another banana skin? Although the Gunners dominated possession against West Ham in their last game, they looked toothless in front of goal. It’s hard to find the reason why with Martin Odegaard still looking the classiest midfielder in the Premier League. A win could put them back on top of the league, temporarily at least until Liverpool play on Monday. However Fulham will have plenty to say with Raul Jimenez back after suspension. They could do with him as after scoring 13 goals in their first three games in December, they haven’t scored in the subsequent three. Arsenal back to winning ways in this one.
Rugby Union
English Premiership – Leicester v Bath – TNT Sports 1 – 15.00
Bath have been revitalised since the arrival of Finn Russell and go to the top of the Premiership table with a win. They beat Quins in their last games in a pulsating game at The Rec. Russell’s opposite number will be South Africa’s World Cup winner Handre Pollard who will be hoping to get Leicester’s season back on track after losing to Exeter last time out. This is likely to be another close, exciting games with Pollard’s kicking against Russell’s guile. Leicester to edge it.
