Live Sport on TV this weekend – January 20th & 21st
Saturday
Football
Premier League
Arsenal v Crystal Palace – TNT Sports 1 – 12.30
Another cut down Premier League weekend with only four games and yet another London derby. Arsenal need to get their season back on track after three losses and a draw since their last win against Brighton a month ago. They are now fourth. five points behind leaders Liverpool, who beat them in the third round of the FA Cup two weeks ago. But it’s the loss against Fulham on the last day of 2023 which will have hurt the most. They dominated possession, but only managed three shots on target which has become the main problem. They lack a pedigree goal scorer. Despite Martin Odegaard’s imperious midfield form, neither Eddie Nketiah or Gabriel Jesus can deliver in front of goal. The match against Palace gives them the chance for redemption., although the visitors will be no pushover, despite losing against Everton in a midweek FA Cup replay. Their last two Premier League games were against west London rivals, a home win against Brentford and an away loss against Chelsea. In this north/south London derby expect the Gunners to prevail.
Brentford v Nottm Forest – Sky Sports Premier League/Main Event 17.30
Brentford have lost all their last five Premier League games in December and are desperate for a win to drag themselves away from the relegation zone. Nottm Forest have won their last Premier League games, home against Man Utd and away at Newcastle so should be feeling confident. However Brentford have the ace in the pack with the return of Ivan Toney after his eight months ban. That should be enough to lift the home team and supporters and give them a much needed win.
Rugby Union
European Champions Cup
Harlequins v Ulster – TNT Sports 2 – 13.00
Leicester v Leinster – TNT Sports 1 – 15.15
Munster v Northampton – TNT Sports 1 – 17.30
Another big weekend of European Rugby which will decide who goes through to the knockout stage of the competition. Harlequins thrashed Cardiff last weekend and should beat Ulster this weekend. Leicester were on the wrong end of a heavy defeat by a resurgent La Rochelle last weekend and now have to face Leinster, runners-up in last two European Champions Cup Final. Certainly not an easy game for the home side, but they are reinforced by the return of Hanro Liebenberg and Ollie Hassell-Collins and with World Cup winners Handre Pollard and Jasper Wiese starting. Leicester will have to be at their best against basically Ireland in disguise to get a win and qualify. Northampton, unbeaten in the competition so far and already qualified for the last 16, have to travel to Thomond Park where they have a dismal record. Munster are not quite the force they were and with Northampton flying high in the league it should be a close game. Munster to win by a single score.
Sunday
Tennis
Australian Open
Men’s Singles – Last 16
Taylor Fritz v Stefanos Tsitsipas – Eurosport 1 – 02.30
Novak Djokovic v Adrian Mannarino – 03.00
Jannik Sinner v Karen Kachanov – Eurosport 1 – 05.00
Alex de Minaur v Andrey Rublev – Eurosport 1 – 08.00
We’re now down to the last 16, with the top of half of the draw playing today. Djokovic has had it all his own way, but should have enough to beat Mannarino. The Taylor Fritz v Stefanos Tsitsipas could go to five sets with the Greek to win. Sinner should advance to the quarter finals. He looks to be the main danger to Djokovic retaining his Australian title and they’re drawn to meet in the semi-final. Rublev to beat home favourite de Minaur.
Football
Premier League
Sheffield Utd v West Ham – TNT Sports 1 – 14.00
Sheffield Utd are firmly rooted to the bottom of the table and even a change of manager hasn’t meant a change in form. West Ham now look like a top team under David Moyes who spent the Declan Rice windfall well. However they will be missing two of their most influential players, Lucas Paqueta and Michail Antonio, both injured. A close game in prospect, but West Ham’s class to tell.
Bournemouth v Liverpool – Sky Sports Premier League/Main Event – 16.30
Liverpool should extend their lead to five points at the top of the Premier League. They have beaten Arsenal and Fulham in their last two games without Mo Salah and should do it again against Bournemouth. Liverpool to win by two goals.
Rugby Union
European Champions Cup
Sale v La Rochelle – TNT Sports 2 – 13.00
Toulouse v Bath – TNT Sports 2 – 15.15
Bayonne v Exeter – TNT Sports 2 – 17.30
The key game today is Sale v La Rochelle. If the French side lose today, it means that they holders will be out of the competition. After losing their first two games they came back to thump Leicester last weekend. Sale better be beware and I fancy La Rochelle to make it to the knockout stage and continue their defence of the trophy. Bath are having a great season, but they will get a reality check in Toulouse. Exeter should beat the weakest of the French teams.
American Football
Kansas City Chiefs @ Buffalo Bills – Sky Sports NFL – 23.30
The rivalry between the two opposing quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs and Josh Allen of the Bills, is one for the ages. At the moment Mahones with two Superbowls wins leads the way. By their high standards of the last few years the Chiefs have had an average season and only just made it to the wild card game. They won’t be put off by the cold at the Bills’ stadium, where they’ve been advertising for snow shovelers this week to clear it for today’s game. The Bills have never won the Superbowl, being runners-up for four consecutive seasons in the 1990s. Maybe this is their year and they will be the AFC representatives in Nevada in February.
