The weekend is here again, lads! Pay day weekend as well, which might be enough reason to cut those ‘Dry January' attempts short – it's been long enough!
So, if you're heading out over the weekend, it's a good idea to know what sport is on. Don't worry, we've got it all previewed here for you, so you know what exactly is on, and when.
FA Cup
The Premier League takes a backseat once again, as we enjoy the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup. After a few shocks in the previous round, there are opportunities for sides to fall short against lower league opposition, once again.
The first tie of the round sees Derby County host Leicester City this evening at Pride Park. There may be a league separating the two East Midlands sides, but the Rams' good form compared to the Premier League champions' form; means the round could conceivably start with a shock.
The same can be said for when Liverpool host Wolves tomorrow lunchtime. Jurgen Klopp's side have been in poor form since the turn of the year; with their only win coming in a third round replay at Plymouth Argyle. Wolves, on the other hand, will take heart from their giant-killing in the last round when they knocked Stoke City out.
Bookies' favourite for the competition, Chelsea, host fellow West Londoners Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon. You would think it will be a straight-forward passage for the Premier League leaders through to the fifth round, but they will be wary of complacency following their defeat at the same stage to Bradford City two years ago.
The biggest chance of an upset on Sunday comes at Old Trafford when Manchester United host Championship struggler Wigan Athletic. United are likely to make wholesale changes following their EFL Cup semi-final exploits last night, and if one manager is to have inside knowledge on the Red Devils, it's Latics boss Warren Joyce. The Wigan manager was United's reserve team manager until recently when he took over at the DW Stadium.
Australian Open
Roger Federer will meet old adversary Rafa Nadal in the final of the Australian Open, on Sunday morning. The final will commence at 8:30am British time, so it'll be an early start for any tennis fanatics!
The two players are in the twilight of their career, and neither were expected to progress this far in the tournament. Federer hadn't played in six months prior to the tournament, whereas Nadal's form has been patchy since returning from a knee injury.
It will be the ninth time that the pair have met in the final of a grand slam, and the first time since the French Open final in 2011. Whichever way you look at it, this is going to be one of the most eagerly anticipated grand slam finals of all-time!
Twenty20
England face India in the second match of their T20 series in Nagpur on Sunday. An England win would clinch the three-match series, following their impressive win in the first match in Kanpur on Thursday.
Tight bowling from England – in particular Moeen Ali – restricted India to a modest 147-7 in the first game, a somewhat modest target in the modern era. England rattled their target off with 11 balls to spare after impressive knocks from skipper Eoin Morgan and Joe Root.
A win for England on Sunday would regain some pride following a disappointing tour of India which has seen them lose the Test and one-day international series.
Image credits: Book My Show, @12thRam, BBC Tennis, England Cricket
Date Posted: Friday 27th January 2017
Author: George Crewe
