- Football – English Premier League – Chelsea versus Liverpool – Neither covered themselves in glory in their mid-week Champions League fixtures and Brendan Rodgers left fans and supporters in no doubt that this weekend’s fixture against Chelsea was more important with his left field team selection in Madrid. Liverpool and Chelsea have had contrasting seasons so far, with Liverpool struggling following the departure of Luis Suarez and Chelsea’s new signings helping drive their bid for the title. Daniel Sturridge would have been keen to excel against one of his old employees but he has been ruled out with injury so the misfiring Mario Balotelli is likely to be called upon to lead the line. Liverpool’s most dangerous player is young winger Raheem Sterling and he can use his pace to strike fear into a Chelsea defence that, while strong and dependable, still looks susceptible to pace. Chelsea will look to take control of the midfield and dominate the game.
Tip – Liverpool are at home and I have a funny feeling this match might just ignite their season. Liverpool to win 2-1.
SUQ – 8 – Chelsea has passed every test with flying colours and a trip to Anfield is yet another obstacle to overcome. For Liverpool this is a vital game and an opportunity to prove themselves against top-level opposition.
- Cricket – Twenty20 – Australia versus South Africa – Summer is here and while Twenty20 may not be everyone’s favourite format of the game it is still likely to draw in the crowds. It’s a long summer which culminates in the World Cup on Australian soil and for a number of young players the next two fixtures represent a great opportunity to press their case for selection. Australia lost the first match by seven wickets, with South Africa cruising to victory. Glen Maxwell returns to the fold after test duties and he will be a key link in an inexperienced Australian side when game two gets underway at the MCG on Friday night.
Tip – Australia are favourites which is a surprise after South Africa’s comfortable win in game one but I think the big show (that’s Maxwell by the way) can lift Australia to victory.
SUQ – 7 – Lots of unfamiliar names which makes it hard to predict and follow but also an opportunity to see some of the games future stars in action.
- Formula 1 – Brazilian WTA Tournament of Champions and ATP Paris Masters – It has been a while since Formula 1 was mentioned on these pages. Lewis Hamilton has taken a stranglehold on this years Championship with five consecutive wins, yet Jules Bianchi’s crash continues to dominate the headlines. Bianchi himself remains in a critical but stable condition in a Japanese hospital, where he has been since his high-speed crash on October 5. In his absence a number of new safety measures are being considered, and this week an updated version of a “virtual safety car,” which was trialled at the US Grand Prix last weekend, will be tested. On the track Nico Rosberg still looks to have the fastest one lap speed but hasn’t quite been able to keep it together for a full race in recent times. He still sits second in the Championship and Mercedes are miles ahead of the competition.
Tips – Tipping anything other than a Mercedes one-two would be difficult to do with any confidence. Of the two, Rosberg to edge Hamilton on this occasion.
SUQ – 7 – An odd year completely dominated by one team but with other events overshadowing Hamilton’s recent surge. The best motorsport news that could come out of the weekend would be an upturn in Bianchi’s health.
Sportussion 