Live Sport on TV this weekend – September 9th & 10th
Saturday
Rugby Union
World Cup – Pool Matches – England v Argentina – ITV1 – 20.00
The Rugby World Cup started on Friday with an epic match between hosts France and the All Blacks played in sweltering conditions in Paris. Saturday’s big match is England v Argentina in Marseille. England have been abysmal in the run up to the competition while Argentina have had a better run, losing narrowly to South Africa in South Africa and beating Australia away. They also beat England last November at Twickenham. Both should qualify from the group, but which side is the winner. If England don’t win, then they’re unlikely to get past the quarter-finals. Can’t believe they can be that bad again, can they? England to win a nerve-racking game, just.
Football
European Championship Qualifying
Ukraine v England – Channel 4 – 17.00
Will Gareth Southgate pick the in-form James Maddison as a starter? Spurs fans may get a chance to see what they’re missing when Kane and Madison combine. Can Jude Bellingham take his Real Madrid goal-scoring form to the international stage? England to win with a bit to spare.
Horse Racing
Leopardstown – Irish Champion Stakes – ITV3 – 15.20
The first two in the Epsom Derby meet for the third time this season. Auguste Rodin prevailed at Epsom by half a length. In the King George & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot King of Steel finished well ahead of the Coolmore star, but was only third. It seems either boom or bust for Auguste Rodin, a failure in the English 2,000 Guineas, a success at Epsom, another inexplicable loss at Ascot – this time I expect a winning performance at home. For sentimental reasons try Frank Dettori’s mount Onesto who finished second in this race last year.
Haydock – Sprint Cup – ITV3 – 15.35
Shaquille to continue his Group One winning streak for Julie Camacho.
Tennis
US Open – New York – Women’s Final
Coco Gauff v Aryna Sabalenka – Sports Arena/Sky Sports Tennis 21.00
Aryna Sabalenka made life difficult for herself in her semi-final win over Madison Keys and that will have taken a lot out of her. Coco Gauff’s progress to her second Grand Slam final has been serene. She lost comprehensively in the French Open final last year to Iga Swiatek, but this time New York is about its first home grown US Open winner since Sloane Stephens in 2017.
Sunday
Rugby Union
World Cup – Pool Matches – South Africa v Scotland – ITV1 – 16.45
Scotland couldn’t have a much harder start to their World Cup campaign with their first match against South Africa in the group of death pool. The Springboks have looked very impressive in their warm-up demolitions of Wales and the All Blacks. Scotland too had two very close matches with France in the warm-ups. However thee the forward power of the South Africans will prove too much, leaving Scotland needing to beat Ireland to progress to the quarter- finals
Wales v Fiji – ITV1 – 20.00
Fiji produced a remarkable performance to beat England at Twickenham in their last game. Unfortunately Fiji’s star fly-half Caleb Muntz, who orchestrated that win, is out of the World Cup. Fiji will be brimming with confidence, but not sure that will be enough to win. Expect a close game, but Wales to win,
Cricket
One Day International Series
England v New Zealand – Ageas Bowl, Southampton – Game 2 – Sky Sports Cricket – 11.00
After two easy wins in the first T20s, England have lost three in a row to New Zealand (2 T20s and 1 ODI). Can they recover in Southampton? They obviously have the players, but New Zealand must fancy their chances. New Zealand to pile on the misery for England.
Tennis
US Open – New York – Men’s Final
Daniil Medvedev v Novak Djokovic – Sky Sports Tennis- 21.00
These two met in the US Open final in 2021 with Medvedev winning in straight sets. Medvedev now seems back to his best and knows he can win here. Novak Djokovic has been in nine previous finals here, losing six and winning only three, the last in 2018. Djokovic has looked in prime form, but if there is anyone who can upset the odds, it is Medvedev who has a good record against him. Medvedev to repeat his feat of two years ago and win.
