Stag Weekends Weekend Preview 9th December

The weekends before Christmas are fast running out, in fact there are only two remaining. Including this one!

You may be busy with festive activities over the course of the weekend, but if you do have time to catch any of the sporting action (which there's plenty of) then let us tell you what's going on!

Premier League

Yet again, it's another crucial weekend in the Premier League'at both ends of the table. Beginning at the bottom, there are two massive six pointers. Hull City host Crystal Palace, with just three points separating the two clubs. Hull have been on a poor run of form, but will know a win will lift them out of the relegation zone and drag Palace into the mix.

The other massive game sees Swansea take on Sunderland; with both clubs beginning the afternoon in the bottom three. Swansea go into the game after being ripped apart by Spurs last weekend; losing 5-0. Whereas, Sunderland enjoyed a morale boosting win over the champions Leicester to make it three wins in four.

Moving back up the league, table-toppers Chelsea host West Brom at Stamford Bridge and will be expecting to make it nine wins a row and reaffirm their three-point cushion at the top.

Arsenal host Stoke City and will be keen to maintain pressure on the league leaders. The Gunners have been in irresistible goal scoring form over the past week; following a 5-1 win over West Ham last weekend and a 4-1 win over FC Basel midweek in the Champions League.

Fourth Test

Things are looking ominous for England as they head into the weekend of the Fourth Test of their five-match series with India. England know that nothing but a win will do if they are to salvage anything other than defeat from the series.

England looked well set at one stage in their first innings, including a magnificent century from debutant Keaton Jennings. Moeen Ali and Jos Buttler both added half centuries, but England's total of 400 didn't end up as large as it could have after a strong start.

It was still a big enough target to be in control of the match, but it was going to require England rattling through India's batting order today; and that hasn't happened. Ali dismissed KL Rahul early on but India haven't lost a wicket since and are now well set in the Test. If England are to claim their first win of the series, they will need a terrific days bowling tomorrow!

AJ Fight

Anthony Joshua defends his IBF heavyweight title against American Eric Molina at the Manchester Arena on Saturday night. This is the second time that AJ is defending the title he won in April after knocking out Charles Martin in two rounds.

The British boxer is undefeated in his 17 professional fights to date; winning all by knockout. Molina is huge underdog; admitting that his only chance of victory is to knock Joshua out himself. Another win for Joshua should set up a fight with Wladimir Klitschko next spring, and the Ukrainian will be watching ringside.

Images via: Birmingham Mail, Baniya Deals, Anthony Joshua, Sky Sports