Ryder Cup weekend coincides with Chelsea v Liverpool clash

Ryder Cup 2018​

A 17-11 win for the United States at Hazeltine, Minnesota, in 2016, saw the Ryder Cup head stateside for the first time since 2008.

The Europeans boasting just eight major titles between them – half of which belong to Rory McIlroy – go into this year’s competition at Le Golf National in France as firm underdogs against a United States team, including a resurgent Tiger Woods, that share 31 majors between them and count world number one golfer Dustin Johnson in their ranks.

Televised football​

After being dumped out of the Carabao Cup at the earliest possible opportunity by former Jose Mourinho alumnus Frank Lampard and his impressive Derby County side, Manchester United’s turbulent season has rumbled on.

With the ‘Special One’ at loggerheads with former captain Paul Pogba, after a bizarre clip emerged from an open training session in mideweek, a resurgent West Ham could be welcoming seventh-placed United to east London at the perfect time to spring a shock.

Repeat or revenge? Two of the Premier League’s three unbeaten sides clash in a replay of their midweek Carabao Cup Third Round tie. It took a special effort from Eden Hazard to unlock Liverpool’s stingy defence in midweek. With Jurgen Klopp’s side sitting atop the table on maximum points, having conceded just two goals in six outings, it’ll likely take another special effort from Chelsea to put the first blot on Liverpool's Premier League record this season.

Two former Champions League finalists clash in the early stages of the 2018-19 Bundesliga season. Dortmund find themselves in second place, just two points behind inevitable leaders Bayern Munich, while Leverkusen find themselves in mid table with two wins and three defeats from their opening five fixtures and in need of a win to get their season back on track.

Having scored nine in their previous two domestic fixtures and fought their way to a 2-2 draw against Villarreal in Spain in their first European group stage game since the 2010-11 season, Steven Gerrard’s Rangers visit surprise package Livingston, who like Rangers have taken 11 points from their opening six league fixtures and find themselves five points behind early pace-setters Hearts.

While it may be premature to describe this weekend’s clash between Cardiff and Burnley as a ‘must-win’, both are in desperate need of a positive result to kick start stuttering seasons sooner rather than later.

Last season’s seventh-placed finishers and Europa League qualifiers Burnley have a solitary win from their opening six fixtures, while Neil Warnock’s Cardiff are one of only three teams yet to pick up three points.

Russian Grand Prix weekend – Formula One

Having won three races on the spin and built a 40-point lead over title rival Sebastian Vettel in the drivers’ championship with just six races remaining, Lewis Hamilton can take a huge step towards retaining his Formula One World Championship with victory in Russia this weekend.

Rugby Championship​

Table topping New Zealand head to Buenos Aires in the penultimate round of the Rugby Championship looking to respond to a rare defeat on home soil against South Africa last weekend. While they’re still in a commanding position – six points clear of South Africa – in the overall standings, head coach Steve Hansen will demand a much-improved performance.

In the other fixture, South Africa entertain Australia with both sides hopeful of a win that, alongside a favour from Argentina, will keep their faint title hopes alive.

American football​

Action from the fourth week of the NFL season pits perennial Superbowl contenders, the New England Patriots, against the unbeaten Miami Dolphins amid a difficult start that has seen them lose two of their opening three games.

Elsewhere, the New York Giants look to get their season back on track against the New Orleans Saints.