Live Sport on TV this weekend – October 7th & 8th
Saturday
Cricket
World Cup
South Africa v Sri Lanka – Delhi – Sky Sports Cricket – 09.30
South Africa beat Australia in a warm-up series at home 3-2, while Sri Lanka have lost their two warm-up games against lesser opposition, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. They also lost the Asia Cup Final against India when they were bowled out for 50. With their confidence low, South Africa with a settled side including Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram are favourites to win,
Rugby Union
World Cup – Pool Matches – Wales v Georgia – ITV1 – 14.00
Unbeaten Wales will look to cement their top spot in Pool C against Georgia who have yet to win a match, though they went close against Fiji. Wales would then set up a quarter-final, most probably against Argentina on Saturday week in Marseille.
World Cup – Pool Matches – England v Samoa – ITV1 – 16.45
England to top their group with a win against a spirited Samoan side and get a quarter-final against Fiji who beat them in a warm-up at Twickenham. With a full squad to pick from after a spate of red cards, Steve Borthwick has selected George Ford and Owen Farrell to start at 10 and 12 with Manu Tuilagi at outside centre against the country where he was born. He should pick Henry Arundell or Elliott Daly over Johnny May, but probably hasn’t and Marcus Smith over Freddie Steward. Despite that England should win, but the score might be closer than expected.
World Cup – Pool Matches – Ireland v Scotland – ITV1 – 20.00
The best game in Pool B has been saved to last with unbeaten Ireland taking on Scotland who have to win with at least one more bonus point. It’s Johnny Sexton v Finn Russell. Ireland are favourites to progress to a quarter-final against the All Blacks, another epic game in prospect. Scotland played well in their warm-up games against France and will provide stern opposition, but are unlikely to overturn the odds.
Sunday
Football
Premier League
Brighton v Liverpool – Sky Sports Premier League – 14.00
Brighton are blowing very hot and cold this season, beating Man Utd away, but being thrashed by Villa last weekend and losing their opening Europa League game at home and drawing the second. Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the season was brought to an abrupt, but unlucky end at Spurs last week. It depends which Brighton turns up this Sunday and how Liverpool cope with the loss of Curtis Jones and Diego Jota, both redcarded at White Hart Lane. Think that Liverpool have the class and depth to return to winning ways.
Arsenal v Man City – Sky Sports Premier League – 16.30
Man City were totally superior in their two head-to-heads with Arsenal in the Premiership last season and their win at The Emirates finally put paid to any hopes the Gunners had of winning the league title. Man City suffered a surprise defeat against Wolves last weekend showing that they are mortal, but seemed back to their best in their midweek away win in the Champions League against Leipzig. Arsenal suffered a surprise reverse in the same competition against Lens. So it’s set up nicely with Arsenal obviously strengthened by the arrival of Declan Rice and Man City weakened by the loss of Rodri through suspension. A difficult one to call so a score draws 2-2.
Cricket
World Cup
India v Australia – Chennai – Sky Sports Cricket – 09.30
India and Australia have just played a series of warm-up games in India with the home side winning 2-1. Australia won the final game by 66 runs having set India a very challenging total of 352. Can Australia repeat that win – not sure they can, but these two sides seem to be the likely finalists. India to win this one.
Rugby Union
World Cup – Pool Matches – Japan v Argentina – ITV1 – 12.00
Another crucial match with the winner going through to the quarter-finals. Both sides lost to England in pool D and Argentina haven’t really come to party yet after their successful pre-World Cup games. Likely to to be a close contest, but Argentina to come out on top and make the quarter-finals.
FI
Qatar GP – Sky Sports F1 – 18.00
After the blip in Singapore when surprise surprise Max Verstappen didn’t win, normal service was resumed in the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka when he was back to his dominant best. Expect the same in Qatar before the last two GPs in the US and Mexico.
