Cue northern hostilities: upday weekend sport preview
Derby days. United families and cities divided, snooker’s best on the spot and club rugby at its most tribal.
If you thought you’d get a break from the sporting drama after England’s late defeat in the Rugby League World Cup final last Saturday, and the last-day finish in the second Ashes test, you came to the wrong place.
If balls are your thing, you have come to the right place. The Ashes tête-à-tête is taking a much-needed break but the premier league promises two classic northern derby matchups and also a not-so-polite London skirmish. Potting’s own rocket Ronnie is still in the hunt for the UK Championship snooker title and European club rugby rolls up its sleeves again.
Friday 8 December
UK Snooker Championship 28 Nov — 10 Dec (BBC 2/Red Button)
One of the BBC’s remaining treasures, the UK Snooker Championship reaches its finale this weekend. It’s now 2017 and yet it still feels as though it is broadcast through the comforting fug of cigarette smoke of snooker halls past.
The action from York Barbican reaches its conclusion on Sunday with big names including the ever-watchable Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Maguire and and Mark King still in the running. Can anyone defy the mercurial crowd favourite O’Sullivan?
Saturday 9 December
Hazard warning for the Hammers
West Ham United v Chelsea — 12:30 (Sky Sports Main Event)
The first derby of the weekend unfolds at the London Stadium with David Moyes’ West Ham still finding their feet under the new manager. The Blues start odds-on favourites fired by an in-form Eden Hazard but West Ham were much improved in finally falling to Manchester City last time out. The claret and blues have improved but they’ll want to stop this kind of thing…
And this too…
Probably back Chelsea to defeat a leaky Hammers.
European Rugby Champions Cup
Toulon v Bath — 15:15 (Sky Sports Main Event)
Munster v Leicester Tigers — 19:45 (BT Sport 2)
Rugby institutions collide this weekend in the Rugby Champions Cup with four former winners in transition trying to make their way back to the pinnacle of club rugby.
Mourad Boudjellal’s Toulon face off against Bath in the first of two back-to-back fixtures in the tournaments toughest pool. Bath are bolstered by the return of Wales pair Faletau and Priestland and they will need every hand on the pumps on the French Riviera
A fixture synonymous with Heineken Cup history, it has been a while since Munster played Leicester with the stakes as high as they used to always be. The Tigers have have already ransacked Castres at home and taken a losing bonus point at Racing but only a lunatic would bet against Munster in Limerick.
Sunday 10 December
A Sunday of the super variety
Liverpool v Everton — 14:15 (Sky Sports Main Event)
Manchester United v Manchester City — 16:30 (Sky Sports Main Event)
“Seriously, Wazza is back to his best. We’re gonna give you a game. Bet you a pint of wine we get a result”
Liverpool have been flying on the wings of the prolific Mohammed Salah, hitting another seven (7) midweek. What a difference a week makes for the Toffees. Everton have gone from hapless and hopeless, shipping five at home to Atalanta to whomping four past West Brom with a Wayne Rooney hat-trick. Big Sam has brought hope back to the blue half of Merseyside but will that be enough when Everton face Liverpool at Anfield?
Old acquaintances, new rivals. The top two meet at Old Trafford where it is the home side who will be feeling a little trepidation — united totem Paul Pogba misses out through suspension. Across the trenches, Kevin De Bruyne is fit.
After starting the season like a house on fire, Pep’s side have been cooled in recent weeks, needing four successive late winners. They invariably get them though and still sit unbeaten eight points ahead of their local rivals. Will it be a case of no Pogba, no party when City visit United?
Rugby, rugby, rah rah rah
European Champions Cup Rugby
Saracens v Clermont — 15:15 (BT Sport 2)
Exeter v Leinster — 17:30 (BT Sport 2)
The Champions Cup Rugby concludes on Sunday with two cracking festive fixtures involving tournament royalty. Back to back winners Saracens travel to French Champions Clermont in a repeat of last year’s final. Can Les Jaunards set about exacting their revenge in St Albans?
Rounding off the weekend Champions of England Exeter take on three-time winners Leinster in their Sandy Park fortress.
Follow upday UK on Twitter and Facebook 👍
Follow Dan Chirwa on Twitter here.
