Clash of legendary football managers takes centre stage
There is sport at all hours this weekend as England sides compete on the big stage in Australia while, closer to home, football fans can tune into a full complement of Premier League fixtures - headlined by Arsenal v Manchester United.
Arsenal v Manchester United – Premier League football - BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 4KUHD – Saturday 5pm (kick off 5.30pm)
The special one takes on a ‘specialist in failure’. Encounters between Arsenal and Manchester United seldom live up to the full-blooded, title deciding clashes that typified their rivalry in the early noughties. Yet with both sides free-scoring in midweek and the enduring touchline tiff between the sides’ managers, it’s a clash not to be missed this weekend.
Under normal circumstances, Manchester United leaving the Emirates with a point would go down as a good result. However, given the form Manchester City are in, said outcome would likely leave United 10 points adrift of their noisy neighbours ahead of their derby clash. Will the prospect of being left behind in the title race force Mourinho’s hand into adopting an attacking approach?
Wenger’s record against Mourinho is a dismal one. In 13 Premier League encounters, he’s won once – however this maiden victory did come in this fixture last season.
Chelsea v Newcastle United – Premier League football – Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event – Saturday 11:30am (Kick off 12:30pm)
Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off sees former Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez return to Stamford Bridge with his struggling Newcastle side. The magpies have lost four of their last five, overturning a two-goal deficit to snatch a point against West Brom in midweek to seal their sole point from the last 15 available.
It’s a poor run that will likely continue. Firstly, given that Antonio Conte’s Chelsea find themselves in good form – winning four of the last five – and secondly in light of Newcastle’s poor record at Stamford Bridge. In 22 Premier League visits to West London, Newcastle have won once and drawn six, scoring 11 goals and conceding 43 in the process.
England v Australia – Rugby League World Cup Final – BBC One – Saturday 8:30am (9:00am Kick off)
One for the early birds. England take on Australia in the Rugby League World Cup Final. Action from Brisbane will be beamed back to British shores for a 9am kick off. If England manage to topple 10-time winners, and reigning world champions Australia they’ll take home their fourth Rugby League World Cup title – their first since 1972. Replay at 6pm on BBC Two for anyone who doesn’t fancy the early wake-up call.
England v Australia – Ashes Second Test – BT Sport 1 – Saturday 2:30am until 11:30am (highlights from 2:00pm until 3:30pm on BT Sport 3 on Saturday)
Speaking of early wake-up calls, the first day of the second Ashes test gets underway in the early hours of Saturday morning. The morning’s action continues until 11:30am with replays available via BT Sport in the afternoon for anyone not wanting to brave the small hours to see if England can bounce back from a 10 wicket defeat in the first test.
Wales v South Africa – Rugby Union – BBC One 2:00pm Saturday BBC One (kick-off 2:30pm)
Wales round off this Autumn’s International fixtures against South Africa at the Principality Stadium. Wales have endured a mixed series so far, losing at home to Australia and New Zealand while recording a sole victory against Georgia.
With the Australians coming off the back of a record breaking 53-24 defeat to Scotland, Wales will look upon this Saturday’s fixture as a chance to end the year on a high note.
