Live Sport on TV this weekend – September 30th & October 1st
Saturday
Football
Premier League
Tottenham v Liverpool – Sky Sports Premier League/Main Event – 17.30
Spurs faced up well to their first big test of the season away to Arsenal in the North London Derby with a very creditable draw. This game, though at home, may prove more difficult against an also unbeaten Liverpool. After their opening weekend draw against Chelsea, Liverpool have won their next five games, often after falling behind. Jurgen Klopp has rebuilt the midfield into a fine functioning unit with Hungarian Dominik Szoboszlai proving to be the star. Tottenham have their own midfield star in James Maddison. Should be an exciting game between two of the most attractive attacking teams in the Premiership – a 2-2 score draw.
Horse Racing
Newmarket – ITV3
Cheveley Park Stakes 14.25 – Middle Park Stakes 15.00 – Cambridgeshire – 15.40
Two Group 1 races for two-olds, the first for fillies, second for colts followed by the cavalry charge of 34 handicap horses for the Cambridgeshire over the straight Rowley course. A two-year old double for Aidan O’Brien with Cherry Blossom and River Tiber and Oviedo each way for the Cambridgeshire.
Golf
The Ryder Cup – Rome – Fourballs & Foursomes – Sky Sports Golf – 06.00
Can the US come back from 5 points down after the first day? Europe only need 8 points out of a possible 24 over the next two days and you have to fancy they will do it. After a clean sweep in the morning foursomes for Europe, the US have yet to win a match. Europe’s captain Luke Donald has got all the partnerships right and he’s going for the same foursome pairings for Saturday. Rory McIlroy is on a roll being the only player to have won both his matches. The US can’t play as badly for a second day, but expect Europe to be well on the way to regain the Ryder Cup by Saturday evening.
Rugby Union
World Cup – Pool Matches – Fiji v Georgia – ITV1 – 16.45
A weekend without any major matches between the top countries, but Fiji can cement their quarter final place with a victory over Georgia which they should accomplish with ease.
Sunday
Horse Racing
Longchamp – Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – ITV4 – 15.05
Not sure that this looks the greatest renewal of Europe’s premiere middle distance race. The French, who don’t have a great record on home soil in recent years, have the favourite in Ace Impact, the unbeaten winner of the French Derby. From England there is Hukum, winner of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and from Ireland Continuous who won the St Leger. German horses are always underrated with Torquator Tasso the surprise winner two years ago. This year the same jockey Rene Piechulek is riding the German Derby winner Fantastic Moon who is our selection to win.
Golf
The Ryder Cup – Rome – The Singles – Sky Sports Golf – 10.00
Europe need four points from the twelve singles today, a feat that should be eminently achievable. The US did have a comeback on Saturday afternoon winning the fourballs 3-1 with Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark winning on the last hole against Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick. Sam Burns of the US was in great form too and his singles match against McIlroy looks to be the match of the day. Cantlay against Justin Rose also looks to be close one. The European team have their two, Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland, going out first so planning to extend their lead early in the contest and putting pressure on those playing later in the day. Expect the US team to fight hard, but Europe should do enough to regain the Ryder Cup.
Rugby Union
World Cup – Pool Matches
South Africa v Tonga – ITV1 – 20.00
South Africa should confirm their quarter-final place against Tonga with a bonus point win. The game also see the return of their talismanic kicker Handre Pollard whom was much missed in their game against Ireland last weekend when South Africa missed what could have been match-winning kicks.
