Live Sport on TV this weekend – November 25th & 26th
Saturday
Football
Manchester City v Liverpool – Sky Sports Premier League – 12.30
It is completely ridiculous for the Premier League to put this fixture on a Saturday, let alone the early start. Both sides have a South American contingent, all of whom were involved in World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday, basically Wednesday UK time. Liverpool have four players who were involved for Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Colombia during the week, Alisson, Mac Allister, Núñez and Díaz, while Man City had just one Alvarez. Erling Haaland, who missed Norway’s against Scotland, is expected to play. So Liverpool would seem to start with a major disadvantage when the players would have only arrived back in the UK just in time to train on Thursday. Jurgen Klopp will be able to rotate, but probably want either Núñez or Díaz to start. Even Mo Salah had to be given police protection from pitch invaders in Sierra Leone where Egypt played their World Cup qualifying game. So all in all not a very restful week for a lot of the Liverpool squad. Man City’s last game was a chaotic 4-4 draw at Chelsea. One wouldn’t expect City’s defence to be that generous two games in row, but if Chelsea could exploit any weaknesses, then Liverpool certainly can. Expect an exciting game with Man City coming out on top by an odd goal and expect Doku to give Alexander-Arnold a hard time on City’s left wing.
Brentford v Arsenal – TNT Sports 1 – 17.30
Arsenal have three Brazilian players who were involved in Tuesday’s defeat in Rio’s Maracana to Argentina, the three Gabriels, Jesus, Martinelli and just plain Gabriel. They won’t have much time to get over their jet lag before Saturday’s match. Brentford pulled off a major shock last season when they beat the much vaunted Gunners side in the first match of the season. But Arsenal will be strengthened by the return of Martin Ødegaard who missed Norway’s midweek game against Scotland, still recovering from injury. But Brentford are finding it slightly harder this season particularly without Ivan Toney. It will be interesting to see if Mikel Arteta darts with this trio of Gabriels or leaves them on the bench, but I think Arsenal will be too strong for Brentford whoever plays.
Horse Racing
Haydock
Betfair Chase – ITV1 – 15.00
Again a disappointingly small field for one of the main chases of the year with only four runners left in. No Irish runners which is not surprising as they have a major race at Punchestown on Sunday which features Galopin Des Champs who beat the current favourite Bravemansgame in this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. Daryl Jacobs is riding the horse for Paul Nicholl rather than stable jockey Harry Cobden. Hard to oppose the favourite, but Protektorat, representing the Skeltons, should run him close.
Rugby Union
English Premiership – Gloucester v Leicester – TNT Sports 1 – 14,30
Leicester got their season back on track last weekend with a hard-fought win against local rivals Northampton. Their returning Word Cup stars produced the goods with Handre Pollard contributing 16 points from the tee. Gloucester, too, have not had the best start to the season and lost last Sunday to the last kick of the match against Exeter. So both teams languish to the bottom of the table with an identical record of won 2, lost 4. Who will make it win number 3? Both teams will have gained confidence from their performances last weekend, even though Gloucester lost, but expect Leicester to build on their win with Pollard’s kicking the deciding factor.
Sunday
Football
Tottenham v Aston Villa – Sky Sports Premier League – 14.00
Tottenham’s season has suddenly hit a major roadblock after their unbeaten start with two losses against Chelsea when they ended with nine players and Wolves where they were undone by two late injury-time goals. Can they get back on track? They will still be without Christian Romero, but Destiny Udogie will be back after his red card. But their most influential player James Maddison is out until the New Year. That and the injury to centre-half Mickey van de Ven robs them of the main spine of the team. The two clubs sit a point apart in fourth and fifth place in the Premiership. Villa have had some good wins, away at Chelsea and some poor losses against the league’s top teams. A draw will suit both teams.
Everton v Man Utd – Sky Sports Premier League – 16.30
Will Everton be galvanised by their 10 point deduction? Probably no better time to play a disorganised Man U team, even though they sneaked a 1-0 win against Luton in their last game. Everton seemed to have turned the corner with two wins and a draw in their last three games, the last a good win away at Crystal Palace. I would expect Everton to avoid relegation this season despite the points penalty and this match will be the start of regaining those lost points.
Formula 1
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Sky Sports F1 – 13.00
Not a lot to say – Verstappen and Red Bull first, the rest nowhere.
