This Week in Sport: 11th – 17th November 2019
Another week of must-see sport is upon us. Two of the hottest teams in the NFL go head-to-head as the San Francisco 49ers face the Seattle Seahawks. The very best in men’s tennis end the season at the ATP Finals. Two playoff-hungry teams go head-to-head in the NBA as the Houston Rockets play the Los Angeles Clippers. The Nedbank Golf Challenge starts, marking the last regular season event of the European Tour. Gloucester and Stade Toulousain open the European Rugby Champions Cup and the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals face off in the NHL.
Monday 11th November 1:15AM GMT (Tuesday 12th) – American Football: San Francisco 49ers v Seattle Seahawks
In the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers host the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Monday Night Football presents a thrilling rivalry match between two NFC powerhouses. The 49ers are the only undefeated team left in the NFL at 8-0. The team has the league’s best defence and the second-best rushing offense. However, they must contend with the 7-2 Seahawks and the MVP-calibre performance of Russell Wilson. The Seahawks are the 5th best offense in the league and Wilson has been phenomenal this year. He’s thrown twenty-two touchdowns and only a single interception. Don’t miss it.
Tuesday 12th November 2:00PM GMT – Tennis: Nitto ATP Finals Day 3
The season-ending Nitto ATP Finals continue at the O2 Arena in London.
There will be four games on offer today at the O2 arena featuring some of the sport’s heavy hitters. Novak Djokovic will once more endear himself to the O2 crowd after a scintillating performance is his first outing at this year’s edition. The Serb dropped just three games in his 2-0 win over Italian Matteo Berrettini and Djokovic will be hoping for a similarly straightforward day in East London on Tuesday. World number three Roger Federer will also take to the courts of the O2 on Tuesday. No one has enjoyed more success at this competition than the Swiss superstar who will be looking to notch a seventh Finals title this week.
Wednesday 13th November 12:30AM GMT (Thursday 14th) – Basketball: Houston Rockets v Los Angeles Clippers
In the NBA, the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers face off at the Toyota Center in Houston.
The Rockets and Clippers will fight for a position in a competitive Western Conference. It will first and foremost be a superstar battle between James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. However, it will also see Russell Westbrook face Paul George after they both left Oklahoma City Thunder during the offseason. Though the season is young, both teams have playoff contention in mind - they have each built squads containing some of the league’s very best players. This is a thrilling match you won’t want to miss.
Thursday 14th November 6:00AM GMT – Golf: Nedbank Golf Challenge
On the European Tour, the Nedbank Golf Challenge gets underway at the Sun City resort in South Africa.
The Nedbank Golf Challenge represents the last opportunity to earn points before the end-of-season World Tour Championship. Only the top 60 eligible golfers will contend next week’s championship, making it all to play for in South Africa. Bernd Wiesberger has a comfortable lead at the top of the standings but can expect fierce competition at Sun City. The number of points available has also increased, making the event all the more lucrative. This is a tournament you won’t want to miss.
Friday 15th November 7:45PM GMT – Rugby Union: Gloucester v Stade Toulousain
A new season of the European Rugby Champions Cup begins as Gloucester face Stade Toulousain at Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester.
After an excellent domestic 2018-19 campaign, Gloucester look to rectify their disappointing Champions Cup of last term. They finished bottom of their pool last season and will be desperate to avoid a repeat performance. Standing in there way are the French giants, Stade Toulousain. They were Semi-finalists last year, as well as Top 14 champions. They will serve as a good litmus test as to whether Gloucester are ready to contend in Europe. The Champions Cup is always exciting so don’t miss this match.
Saturday 16th November 12:00AM GMT (Sunday 17th) – Ice Hockey: Bruins v Capitals
The Boston Bruins face the Washington Capitals at TD Garden in Boston as the NHL season continues.
The Bruins and Capitals are two of the early frontrunners in this young NHL season. Matches like these will be vital come the playoff picture at the end of the season. However, Boston are having to deal with a slate of injuries that is putting them at a disadvantage. The Capitals have moved away from the speed embraced by most of the league to build a gritty, hard-fighting team. With different philosophies and similar season expectations, you won’t want to miss this match.
Sunday 17th November 2:00PM GMT – Tennis: Nitto ATP Finals Day 8
The Nitto ATP Finals come to an end at the O2 Arena in London.
There will be two finals to watch out for on Sunday, as the doubles and singles champions will be crowned at the O2 Arena. Reigning singles champion Alexander Zverev will be hoping to get the opportunity to defend his title on Sunday after the world number 7 defeated Novak Djokovic at last year’s edition. Meanwhile, there will be plenty of entertainment from the final of the doubles format, which will precede the main event. Last year’s losing finalists Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut will return to the O2 Arena hoping to go one better, as the French pair look to round off what has been a very successful year.
Other sports highlights from around the globe
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the tennis and the ATP World Tour, with action coming from the Nitto ATP Finals all week long. There is also plenty of football to watch out for this week as the international break starts in earnest. Plenty of World Cup qualifiers will be contested, whilst England meet Montenegro and Kosovo in Euro 2020 qualification and Brazil host Argentina in an international friendly edition of the Clásico del Atlántico. Action on the PDC Tour comes in the shape of the Grand Slam of Darts, which will conclude on Sunday evening. This week’s cricket sees India face Bangladesh in the 1st Test, whilst the Melbourne Stars meet the Adelaide Strikers in the WBBL. Meanwhile, the World Para-Athletics Championships will provide plenty of sporting excellence all week long, with the Dubai-based event concluding on Friday. The Los Angeles Clippers meet the Toronto Raptors in the NBA as Kawhi Leonard faces off with his former employers. This week’s NCAA College Football action sees Georgia travel to Auburn and Baylor take on Oklahoma. Rugby fans have plenty to watch out for across the next seven days, including Racing Metro 92 versus Saracens and La Rochelle versus Exeter Chiefs in the Champions Cup. There is another International Test Match tour in Rugby League as Papua New Guinea entertain Great Britain at Port Moresby. Sunday’s NFL schedule is headlined by two mouthwatering clashes as the Baltimore Ravens take on the Houston Texans and the Philadelphia Eagles welcome the New England Patriots to Lincoln Financial Field. This week’s offerings from the world of motorsport include the Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix and the Valencia MotoGP. The November Tournament continues at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center, the final major Sumo Wrestling tournament of the year is sure to be an unmissable event.
A week of world class sport awaits. Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by NFL, ATP Tour, Houston Rockets, Sun City Resort, Gloucester Rugby, Boston Bruins
Written and information correct on 11th November at 10pm GMT