What sport is on this week? Premier League, Super Bowl LV and more
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Our guide to this week’s highlights
The Premier League continues apace with a host of midweek ties before another big weekend, the NFL season concludes with the spectacle of Super Bowl LV, and the Rugby Six Nations returns.
In short, it’s a massive week of sport – and we’ve picked our highlights for you below.
Football
The Premier League gets straight back into it on Tuesday, with four games including Man United v Southampton, while Tottenham and Chelsea face off on Thursday.
The action resumes on Saturday, though the weekend’s biggest fixture is on Sunday afternoon – as Liverpool face Man City in a monumental clash.
There’s plenty of action across the continent too. Atletico Madrid will look to stretch their 10-point lead at the top of La Liga when they face Celta Vigo tonight, Roma host Juventus in a big Serie A game on Saturday, while unlikely Ligue 1 leaders Lille play Bordeaux on Wednesday.
Super Bowl LV
If you’ve somehow ignored the hype for this one, here’s the main thing you need to know. Legendary quarterback Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers host last year’s Super Bowl winners Kansas City Chiefs in what’s being billed as a battle between two generations of quarterback.
The 43-year old Brady made the shocking decision to quit New England Patriots to meet a new challenge with the Buccaneers – and so far it looks to have paid off.
But the Chief’s QB Patrick Mahomes II – eighteen years his junior – is already looking a worthy successor. He was named the 2018 season’s MVP, as well as last year’s Super Bowl MVP, leading the Buccaneers to their first Super Bowl victory in 50 years in 2019.
Tennis
While the Australian Open doesn’t begin until next week, there’s plenty of action from down under in the build up to the Grand Slam.
The Great Ocean Road Open, Murray River Open and ATP Cup all begin in Melbourne on Tuesday, with the latter including the likes of Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal representing their countries in an intense four-day tournament.
In the WTA, two more tournaments are already underway, with the Yarra Valley Classic featuring the likes of Serena Williams and Karolina Pliskova, while the Gippsland Trophy boasts Simona Halep and Cori Gauff among the stars competing.
Golf
The PGA Tour resumes with the Phoenix Open on Wednesday with plenty of big names in the field, including Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele.
The European Tour’s Saudi International has proven a big draw for American stars too, with World No. 1 Dustin Johnson heading the field, He’s joined by Bryson DeChambeau and Brit Tyrell Hatton – winner of last month’s Abu Dhabi Championship.
Rugby Union
As well as action from the Premier League, Saturday sees the return of the Six Nations. Italy and France are the first to face-off at 14:15, before England play Scotland at 16:45, while Wales and Ireland meet on Sunday at 15:00
France look like the team to beat this time out, after winning eight of nine games in 2020. Despite a strong all-round squad, England are plagued by injuries to their forward line. If they can survive their early test against Scotland, coach Eddie Jones may have more options at his disposal by the time they meet France in round four.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.
