- Tennis – Davis Cup Final – France versus Switzerland – France have home court advantage, Switzerland have two of the top four singles players in the world in Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka. The first set of singles matches on Friday will see Federer taking on Gael Monfils and Wawrinka taking on French number 1 Jo Wilfred Tsonga. Not only have the French chosen their preferred surface (clay) as hosts but they have had a number of weeks to prepare specifically for the task at hand. The Swiss duo spent last weekend in London playing in the end of season event, in which Federer suffered a back injury which kept him out of the final. France lead the Davis Cup head-to-head battles between the two neighbours 10-2, but never have the Swiss had a better chance to win a first Davis Cup.
Tip – Switzerland to secure a maiden Davis Cup triumph thanks to their superior singles performances.
SUQ – 8 – Tennis’s most prestigious team’s trophy.
- Cricket – One Day International Series – Australia versus South Africa – After a thumping win in Canberra on Wednesday all the momentum is behind Australia to win the game and with it the series when the two sides meet this afternoon at the MCG. A disappointing top order will be South Africa’s key concern, and it should not be beyond Captain AB de Villiers to promote himself up the order to prevent the Proteas having to chase nine an over off the last 20 overs – the position De Kock, Du Plessis and Roussouw left them in Canberra. De Villiers is currently the best batsman in the world and looks to be playing the Australian bowlers with ease, a win rests squarely on his bat. The game is now underway and both sides have made a number of changes. South Africa are batting first and De Villiers came to the crease at the fall of the second wicket and has plenty of time to build a score and set Australia a large total to chase in the evening session.
Tip – I tipped South Africa to win the series and am sticking with it.
SUQ – 8 – Neither side has really fired in the same game, this could well be the day.
- Football – Europe – After a week off for the second international break of the season football around Europe kicks off again this weekend. The key match-up in the English Premier League sees Arsenal hosting Manchester United. This is more for the nostalgic as the animosity and rivalry between these two clubs has dissipated in the last decade as first Arsenal and now United have fallen away from the top of the table. The challenge now seems to be for the fourth Champions League spot and a win for either side will be a huge morale booster after lacklustre openings to their seasons. A United win seems unlikely as they will be without several key players through injury but coming off a 2-1 defeat at Swansea Arsenal’s confidence is hardly sky-high. Manchester City take on a much improved Swansea outfit and while the bookmakers have City as clear favourites Swansea will fancy their chances of causing another upset and claiming another big scalp. Sergio Aguero has been in great form and he will be Swansea’s main danger. Elsewhere in Italy Serie A leaders Juventus face a stern test away at Lazio. After another incredible start to the season for Juventus everyone will be hoping Lazio can take some points otherwise the title race could be over by Christmas. In the closest La Liga season for some years the most noteworthy game of the weekend sees Barcelona hosting Sevilla. Barcelona will be hoping to put some recent patchy form and off-field troubles to the side as they seek to maintain pace with a Real Madrid juggernaut that, at the moment, is playing the best football in Europe.
Tips – Arsenal, Manchester City, a draw and Sevilla in the matches mentioned above.
SUQ – 7.5 – Plenty of interesting fixtures happening around Europe should mean there is something for almost every football supporter out there.
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