This Week in Sport: 10th – 16th February 2020
Another seven days filled with unmissable sport lies in wait, starting with the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, taking place at the spectacular Rotterdam Ahoy. Tuesday sees two heavyweights of the NBA locks horns as the Houston Rockets welcome the Boston Celtics to the Toyota Center. England’s tour of South Africa continues on Wednesday as the two nations battle it out in the 1st T20I. There is action on the PGA Tour this week too in the shape of the Genesis Open at the pristine Riviera Golf Course. A rare Friday night fixture takes place in the Premier League this week as Leicester City travel to Molineux to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers. Saturday brings us a blockbuster clash from the NHL as the Division leading Washington Capitals take to the ice with the Arizona Coyotes. The week draws to a close with the NBA All-Star game at the United Center in Chicago.
Monday 10th February 11:30AM GMT – Tennis: ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament
The ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament begins at the Rotterdam Ahoy in Rotterdam.
A star studded field featuring four of the world’s top ten players will descend on Rotterdam this week as they battle it out on the hard courts. Day 1 will see eight matches take place on the two courts at Rotterdam Ahoy in both the singles and doubles formats. World number six Stefanos Tsitsipas will feature on the opening day as he teams up with Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia to take on Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau. There is also an intriguing matchup in the singles tournament as Denis Shapovalov faces the heavy-hitting Grigor Dimitrov. It will be a great week of tennis in Rotterdam.
Tuesday 11th February 2:30AM GMT (Wednesday 12th) – Basketball: Houston Rockets v Boston Celtics
In the NBA, the Houston Rockets host the Boston Celtics at the Toyota Center in Houston.
The Houston Rockets will look to continue their recent run of success as they host the Celtics. A huge deadline day trade brought wing Richard Covington to Houston, demonstrating Mike D’Antoni’s commitment to the small-ball tactic that has served him so well. With Harden and Westbrook already having a fantastic season, Covington simply adds to the offensive talent. They have seen success already against teams like the Lakers but an in-form Celtics side will be a challenge. The Celtics have been climbing the Eastern Conference and sit within striking distance of the second seed Toronto Raptors. This game will be a fascinating challenge for Boston and a litmus test for Houston’s tactical style. It’s a game you won’t want to miss.
Wednesday 12th February 4:00PM GMT – Cricket: South Africa v England (1st T20)
South Africa and England play their first T20 at Buffalo Park in East London.
The English team will feel right at home on Wednesday as they travel to East London to take on their hosts in the 1st T20 International. England have enjoyed a successful tour of South Africa thus far and despite losing the 1st ODI, bounced back to ease to victory in the 3rd and draw the series (the 2nd was cancelled due to bad weather). Though ODIs are the tourists’ preferred format, they can also field a useful T20 side and currently sit third in the world rankings. Meanwhile, the hosts can salvage some pride from England’s tour with a win in this T20 series. They will likely recall some of their heavy hitters who sat out the ODI series so you can expect fireworks in what will be a thrilling series!
Thursday 13th February 2:00PM GMT – Golf: Genesis Open
The PGA Tour’s Genesis Open gets underway at the Riviera Golf Club in Pacific Palisades, California.
Thirty of golf’s top-50 players will participate in the final event of the PGA Tour’s West Coast swing. Leading the field is world number one Rory McIlroy. Alongside him in the hunt for a title at Pacific Palisades are big names likes Brooks Koepka and Tiger Woods. Overall, nine of the top ten will be part of the 120-man field. JB Holmes is back in the field to defend his title. While the world number 96 will have a tough time in such a talented field, nothing is ever certain in golf. We are in for an unforgettable four days of golf.
Friday 14th February 8:00PM GMT – Football: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leicester City
Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City clash in the Premier League at the Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton.
With Wolves and Leicester both fresh off their brief winter break, this game has all the makings of a classic Premier League encounter. Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester have travelled well this term, with only Manchester City scoring more times than the Foxes away from home. Should other results go their way, Leicester could end the weekend 13 points clear of fifth placed Sheffield United and all but confirm their spot in the Champions League next year. However, Wolves aren’t yet out of the race for the top four spots, and a win on Friday night will see them move just three points behind Chelsea, at least until the Blues play on Monday night. Both sides have played some incredible football this term, so make sure you don’t miss a second of this vital clash.
Saturday 15th February 3:00AM GMT (Sunday 16th) – Ice Hockey: Arizona Coyotes v Washington Capitals
The Arizona Coyotes host the Washington Capitals at the Gila River Arena in Glendale for a crucial NHL match.
The Coyotes have excelled this season and are firmly in the playoff race. Young star Connor Garland has had an outstanding sophomore season. The 23-year-old winger has 19 goals and 13 assists. He also has had help from the likes Taylor Hall, Nick Schmaltz, and goalie Darcy Kuemper. All in all, the Coyotes are a very strong side this season. Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin leads a dominant Capitals side who currently lead their division. The Russian veteran has 40 goals as the Capitals hunt to capture another title. These are two competitive sides with places in competitive conferences to defend. Don’t miss it.
Sunday 16th February 1:00AM GMT (Monday 17th) – Basketball: NBA All-Star Game
The NBA All-Star Game takes place at the United Center in Chicago.
For the second year in a row, Lebron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo will face off as the All-Star captains. Lebron will line up alongside fellow Laker Anthony Davis, cross-town rival Kawhi Leonard, young star Luka Dončić, and James Harden. Giannis has chosen two first-time All-Stars to his starting five. Trae Young and Pascal Siakim will join Kemba Walker and Joel Embiid in his team. The respective benches are also stacked with talent. The likes of Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Damien Lillard, and Jimmy Butler will make an appearance during the game. Giannis will be eager to avenge the loss Lebron handed him last year. The All-Star Game is always full of thrilling action so be sure to tune in.
Other sporting highlights from around the globe
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NBA where there are plenty more exciting games taking place. The Dallas Mavericks host the Utah Jazz on Monday before the Philadelphia 76ers entertain the LA Clippers the following day. There are three massive games on Wednesday as the Utah Jazz play the Miami Heat, the Indiana Pacers meet the Milwaukee Bucks and the Denver Nuggets face the LA Lakers. The Clippers are back in action on Thursday as they travel to face the Celtics in Boston. There is action on the WTA Tour this week in the shape of the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy. In men’s tennis, the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament continues throughout the week. India’s tour of New Zealand continues this week as the two nations battle it out in the 3rd ODI, with New Zealand currently leading the series 2-0. Staying with cricket, the Australia Tri-Nation Women’s T20 Final will play out on Wednesday as Australia take on India. England’s men will face South Africa twice more this week in the 2nd and 3rd T20I’s. There is plenty of Super League action to watch out for this week, with Wigan Warriors’ meeting with the Toronto Wolfpack headlining the action. The Premiership Rugby season also continues this week as Gloucester Rugby host Exeter Chiefs. Elsewhere, the World Athletics Indoor Tour takes us to Glasgow for the Muller Indoor Grand Prix. Two London teams are involved in important Premier League matches at the weekend as Tottenham take on Aston Villa and Arsenal entertain Newcastle United.
A week of world class sport awaits. Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by ABN AMRO, Houston Rockets, England Cricket, The Genesis Invitational, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Washington Capitals, NBA All-Star
Written and information correct on 9th February at 10pm GMT