This Week in Sport: 13th – 19th July 2020

Before we get into this week’s events, Fixture would like to pay tribute to the legendary Jack Charlton. A hero and staple of English and Irish football for over forty years, he will be missed. 

Another unmissable week of sporting action begins at Wembley Stadium where Oxford United and Wycombe Wanderers will thrash it in the EFL League One play-off Final. The group stages in this unique MLS season continue this week with Philadelphia Union’s tie against Inter Miami headlining the festivities on Tuesday. It will be Arsenal’s turn to test their mettle against the league’s best on Wednesday as they welcome Liverpool to the Emirates. 

Away from the onslaught of football this week comes some exciting golf in the shape of The Memorial Tournament on the PGA Tour, taking place at Muirfield Village Golf Club. The Windies’ tour of England continues on Friday as they meet their hosts on Day 2 of the 2nd Test. Super Rugby fans will be treated to a titanic clash on Saturday as the Hurricanes face the Blues, whilst Sunday’s action is headlined by Manchester United’s meeting with Chelsea in the FA Cup Semi-final. 

Monday 13th July 6:30PM GMT – Football: Oxford United v Wycombe Wanderers

Oxford United face Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley in the League One play-off Final on Monday 13th July at 6:30PM GMT.

It’s been 21 years since Oxford United played in the second tier of English football. Now they’re just one game away from returning. The Us have been dominant all season, losing just five games between mid-September and the end of the season. This has been due in large part to striker Matty Taylor, who has scored 13 league goals. 

However, a Wycombe win would see the Wanderers achieve second-tier football for the first time in club history. They had a mixed end to the season, winning just five of their final fifteen games. Despite this, they dominated Fleetwood in their play-off Semi-final, winning 6-3 on aggregate. 

Both teams are determined to reach the hallowed heights of the Championship, so expect a Final to remember. 

Tuesday 14th July 2:30AM GMT (Wednesday 15th) – Football: Philadelphia Union v Inter Miami

In the MLS, Philadelphia Union take on Inter Miami at Orlando’s ESPN Wide World of Sport Complex on Wednesday 15th July at 2:30AM GMT.

Philadelphia will be desperate to get back out on the pitch after making a perfect return, winning their opening game 1-0 against NYC FC. Union had to withstand an onslaught of pressure in that first outing, so manager Jim Curtin will be delighted to have recorded the clean sheet and will be hoping for a similarly resolute display on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Miami’s comeback didn’t go as planned as, despite leading for much of the second half, they were dealt a blow very late on as a 97th minute strike from Orlando City’s Nani ensured Inter remained pointless after their opening game. Can Inter Miami get off the mark in Group A, or will Philadelphia protect their perfect record?

Wednesday 15th July 7:15PM GMT – Football: Arsenal v Liverpool

Arsenal host Premier League champions Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday 15th July at 7:15PM GMT.

After Sunday’s crushing derby day defeat, Arsenal will return to action looking to get their Europa League bid back on track. A make or break week for the Gunners’ season begins on familiar territory as they welcome Liverpool to the Emirates, with the champions arguably having taken their foot off the pedal having wrapped up the league with so many games spare. So much so, Jurgen Klopp’s side have dropped more points in the six games played since the resumption than the 29 played before the mid-season hiatus. 

Arsenal will look to capitalise on this to fuel their own ambitions, which now centre around securing qualification for the Europa League. Who will prevail is this meeting of Premier League giants?

Thursday 16th July 1:00PM GMT – Golf: The Memorial Tournament

The PGA Tour continues with the Memorial Tournament at the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. The event begins on Thursday 16th July at 1:00PM GMT.

There is tremendous excitement surrounding the commencement of the Memorial Tournament on Thursday, not least because the legendary Tiger Woods is finally making a long-awaited return to action. The 15-time major winner has enjoyed great success at this particular competition, having recorded a record five wins, with the last coming back in 2012. 

Attempting to prevent Tiger from notching a sixth win will be a field packed with talent, including last year’s winner Patrick Cantlay who will be looking to become the first player to retain the title since Tiger Woods in 2000. You won’t want to miss a minute of the action this weekend!

Friday 17th July 10:00AM GMT – Cricket: England v West Indies (Day 2, 2nd Test)

The Second Test between England and the West Indies continues at Old Trafford on Friday 17th July at 10:00AM GMT.

After last week’s electrifying initial Test in Southampton, England and Windies’ cricketers will convene in Manchester to thrash it out once more in the 2nd Test. In what was a marvellous exhibition of Test cricket, the West Indies ultimately cruised to victory last week on the south coast, leaving England with plenty to chew on ahead of this week’s match. 

Their shining light from last week’s display was Shannon Gabriel, who tore through England’s batting order at will, taking nine wickets in the match. Will the tourists reign supreme once more or can England defend their home wicket and restore some pride from the series? 

Saturday 18th July 7:05AM GMT – Rugby Union: Hurricanes v Blues

Super Rugby Aotearoa continues with the Hurricanes hosting the Blues at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Saturday 18th July at 7:05AM GMT.

The Blues suffered their first loss of the Super Rugby Aotearoa tournament last week, falling 26-15 to the Crusaders. However, the Blues, who are having one of their best seasons in recent years, are ready to bounce back. They have already beaten the Hurricanes once and will be eager to do so again.

For their part, the Hurricanes come into this rematch on a two-game winning streak. Last week, they were able to hold off the Highlanders to record a 17-11 win. Sitting at 2-2 on the season, they are in prime position to put pressure on the Blues. However, they will be mindful of the 30-20 loss they suffered to the side back in round one.

With everything that’s at stake, this is going to be a must-watch match. 

Sunday 19th July 5:00PM GMT – Football: Manchester United v Chelsea

At Wembley, Manchester United and Chelsea face off in the FA Cup Semifinals on Sunday 19th July at 5:00PM GMT.

These two Premier League heavyweights will lock horns for the fourth time this season, with a FA Cup Final awaiting the winner. Man United have had the measure of Chelsea this term, winning each of their previous three meetings. Furthermore, United are one of the form teams in the country right now, making Chelsea’s task that much harder. 

However, last time these two sides met in a FA Cup clash at Wembley, Chelsea dispatched the Red Devils 1-0 in the final to lift the trophy for an eighth time. With both sides still competing on three fronts this term, they will be desperate to pick up some silverware, but who will come out on top to book their place in next month’s final?

Other sporting highlights from around the globe

Honourable mentions around the globe start with top flight action from Spain’s La Liga as Villarreal meet Real Sociedad on Monday evening at Estadio de la Cerámica. Both teams will be in action once more on Wednesday evening as Villarreal travel to Real Madrid whilst Real Sociedad host Sevilla. Champions League-chasing Atletico Madrid also have a midweek fixture to contend with as they take on Getafe, before returning home to face Real Sociedad at the weekend. A crucial leg in the race for top four sees Sevilla entertain Valencia in the final La Liga clash of the week. 

The condensed MLS season continues all week long, starting with an intriguing clash on Monday in the shape of LA Galaxy v Portland Timbers. Thursday sees D.C. United lock horns with New England Revolution, before Real Salt Lake face Minnesota United FC later in the week. Though it’ll not be played at its righteous home on the west coast, the Los Angeles derby will be as fiery as ever as LAFC meet LA Galaxy on Saturday to conclude the week’s MLS action. 

Games continue to come thick and fast in the Premier League, not least for Manchester United who will be in action three times in the space of seven days. Their hectic week starts on familiar territory as they welcome Southampton to Old Trafford, before travelling to the capital to take on Crystal Palace later in the week ahead of Sunday’s pivotal showdown with Chelsea. Before Sunday’s FA Cup Semi-final, Chelsea have Premier League matters to contend with, namely their meeting with strugglers Norwich City on Tuesday. Two teams still in the hunt for European football go toe-to-toe on Thursday evening with Leicester City playing host to Sheffield United. The Foxes will return to the limelight on Sunday for another mouth-watering affair against Tottenham Hotspur. 

A most trying of weeks for Arsenal will conclude with an FA Cup Semi-final date with Manchester City on Saturday evening. 

Four of the top ten teams in the EFL Championship are in action on a blockbuster Tuesday night of football which will see West Brom host Fulham and Cardiff City entertain Derby County. Two more play-off-chasing teams will meet on Wednesday night as Nottingham Forest take to the field with Swansea City. Derby County return to action on Saturday to take on Premier League-bound Leeds United. 

There is plenty still to play for in the Serie A and Atalanta will look to keep up their impressive season as they take on a relegation-threatened Brescia side who have won just one of their last 17 top flight outings. Two Italian heavyweights will flex their muscles on Sunday night as Roma welcome Inter Milan to Stadio Olimpico. 

We have reached the Quarter-final stages of the NWSL Challenge Cup, which get underway on Friday. 

Please continue to show your support for the Round Britain Row as the athletes enter their fifth week on the water! Elsewhere, there is some women’s tennis to watch out for as the Progress Women’s Tour Championships gets underway on Tuesday and plays out all week long. On the European Tour, the Euram Bank Open begins on Thursday and will be contested across the weekend. There are four unmissable AFL fixtures this week including: Geelong Cats v Collingwood, GWS Giants v Brisbane Lions, Fremantle v West Coast Eagles and Essendon v Western Bulldogs. Meanwhile, in the NRL, the Roosters lock horns with the Raiders on Thursday before the Rabbitohs and the Knights face-off on Saturday. 

One of the most prestigious events on the PDC Tour gets underway this week as the Betfred World Matchplay begins on Saturday. West Indies’ tour of England continues with the 2nd Test which will play out all week long. More Super Rugby action this week comes in the shape of Waratahs v Brumbies and Chiefs v Highlanders. Two key events in the world of motorsport will play out this weekend, namely the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix and the Spanish MotoGP. Finally, the Sumo Wrestling July Tournament begins on Sunday, so don’t miss out on the action!

A week of world class sport awaits. Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!