Tyson Fury and Premier League comebacks continue this weekend
Check out The Morning Advertiser’s guide to Premier League football this August for a full list of televised fixtures, or look back at the 2017/18 season and the lessons pubs can take into the new campaign.
Saturday 18 August
England v India - 2018 Test Series – Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket (from 10am) – First ball at 11am
After being cleared of affray, all-rounder Ben Stokes is set for a sensational return to the England set up after being added to the squad for the third test against India following a meeting of the England management and captain Joe Root.
The hosts head into the third test with a commanding 2-0 lead over a side who appeared at the peak of their powers before the current series got underway a fortnight ago.
Australia v New Zealand – Rugby Championship – Sky Sports Action (from 10.30am) – Kick off at 11.05am
The Bledisloe Cup rivals have played three tests each in 2018; however, of the four wins between the two sides, three of them belong to Steve Hansen’s All Blacks – the number one ranked team on the planet and current holders of every major trophy available to them in world rugby.
Though New Zealand are favourites to get their Rugby Championship defence off to a winning start in Sydney this weekend, the last time the pair met Australia ran out narrow winners in Brisbane.
Cardiff City v Newcastle United – Premier League football – Sky Sports Premier League (from 11.30am) and Main Event (from 12.30pm) – Kick off at 12.30pm
Both Cardiff City and Newcastle United failed to put points on the board in their opening Premier League fixtures last weekend against Bournemouth and Tottenham respectively.
With both tipped to battle relegation this season after quiet summer transfer windows, this early encounter offers a huge opportunity to get the season up and running.
South Africa v Argentina – Rugby Championship – Sky Sports Action (from 3.30pm) – Kick off at 4.05pm
With the Springboks not registering a win over New Zealand or Australia since round five of the 2016 instalment of the Rugby Championship, and Argentina winless in 2018, it’s likely that these two will bring up the rear in this year’s Rugby Championship.
Argentina have lost twice against Wales and once against Scotland in their three tests this year, and head to Durban in a transitional period following head coach Daniel Hourcade’s resignation. However, new coach Mario Ledesma faces a South African side who, despite a 2-1 series win against England, are still getting up to speed under a new coach of their own, Rassie Erasmus.
Preston North End v Stoke City – Football League Championship football – Sky Sports Football (from 5.15pm) and Main Event (from 5.30pm) – Kick off at 5.30pm
Despite a busy summer, big spending Stoke City have failed to register a win in their opening fixtures back in English football's second tier. They sit 22nd in the Championship table with a solitary point after two games. This weekend's opposition Preston, who occupy tenth place in the table with a win and a defeat to their name, offer Gary Rowett's side a chance to get their stalling season up and running at the third time of asking.
Chelsea v Arsenal – Premier League football – BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 4KUHD (from 5.00pm) – Kick off at 5.30pm
After a kicking off their season with a 2-0 defeat against defending champions Manchester City, Unai Emery’s tough start to life in north London continues as his Arsenal side take on Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Carl Frampton v Luke Jackson and Tyson Fury v Francesco Pianeta – BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 4KUHD from 7.45pm
Former world champions Carl Frampton and Tyson Fury look to rebuild towards boxing’s elite this weekend as part of an action-packed card at Belfast’s Windsor Park stadium.
With Fury supposedly deep in talks for a tilt at heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder this winter, he’ll be expected to turn in a far more convincing performance than his bout against Sefer Seferi in June.
Sunday 19 August
England v India - 2018 Test Series – Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket (from 10am) – First ball at 11am
The second day of India’s third test against England at Trent Bridge as the tourists look to claw back a 2-0 series deficit.
Manchester City v Huddersfield Town – Premier League football – Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event (from 12.30pm) – Kick off at 1.30pm
How will Manchester City cope without Kevin De Bruyne? Though Pep Guardiola’s defending champions will inevitably face tougher tests than Huddersfield Town, who they welcome to the Etihad off the back of a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea, it’ll be intriguing to see who Pep asks to fill the talismanic Belgian’s boots.
Brighton and Hove Albion v Manchester United – Premier League football – Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event (from 3.30pm) – Kick off at 4pm
Now could prove a good time for winless Brighton to welcome Manchester United to the south coast with Jose Mourinho appearing at loggerheads with most of his playing squad and board of directors. Despite the Portuguese’s side holding off a lively looking Leicester City on the opening day, United still have work to do in convincing doubters that they’re capable of being in the title mix this season.
Despite an opening day defeat to Watford, Brighton will harbour hopes of recreating their 1-0 win against United at the Amex last season to get their second season back in the top flight up and running.
