This Week in Sport: 24th February – 1st March 2020
Another jam-packed week of sporting action lies in wait, starting with Premier League action on Monday as Liverpool look to defend their unbeaten record against strugglers West Ham United. Two NHL heavyweights lock horns on Tuesday with the Tampa Bay Lightning playing host to the Toronto Maple Leafs. There is an unmissable mid-week Champions League clash as Real Madrid welcome Manchester City to the Bernabeu. The Honda Classic gets underway on the PGA Tour this Thursday, before the LA Clippers thrash it out with the Denver Nuggets in the NBA. Saturday’s action is headlined by the start of second Test match between New Zealand and India, whilst football fans are treated to another instalment of El Clásico to round off the week.
Monday 24th February 8:00PM GMT – Football: Liverpool v West Ham
In the Premier League, Liverpool host West Ham United at Anfield in Liverpool.
Though these two sides are currently separated by 52 Premier League, there is plenty on the line for both teams on Monday night. Whilst Liverpool look to continue their march to unbeaten Premier League glory, West Ham unfortunately find themselves in a fight to avoid relegation, having won just one of their last nine Premier League outings. The east-London-based outfit have struggled to keep team’s at bay this year, conceding 45 goals already. Unfortunately for David Moyes, Liverpool have averaged over two goals per game this season, and their fearsome front three will be looking to bolster their tallies on Monday night.
Tuesday 25th February 12:00AM GMT (Wednesday 26th) – Ice Hockey: Tampa Bay Lightning v Toronto Maple Leafs
The Tampa Bay Lightning face the Toronto Maple Leafs in a vital NHL match at the Amalie Arena in Tampa.
Tampa Bay Lightning will look to extend their impressive recent run of form as they welcome Atlantic Division rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs, to the Sunshine State. The Lightning have relished the home comforts of the Amalie Arena this term, winning 11-straight games on their home rink. However, both outfits faltered to disappointing losses at the weekend and will be desperate to return to winning ways on Tuesday. Supporters can expect plenty of goals in this showpiece affair, with the two sides tied for most goals scored with 219 apiece. Make sure you don’t miss a minute of what could be one of the games of the season!
Wednesday 26th February 8:00PM GMT – Football: Real Madrid v Manchester City
The Champions League Round of 16 continues as Real Madrid take on Manchester City to the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid.
Two of Europe’s most exciting teams will go head-to-head on Wednesday night as they both seek to gain an advantage in this Round of 16 tie. Real Madrid were the competition’s most successful team last decade, winning the prestigious title four times. However, Los Blancos’ era of dominance came to an end last term, as they were eliminated by a superior Ajax side at this very same stage. Meanwhile, Man City’s dream of a first Champions League title was also cut short last term at the hands of eventual runners-up Tottenham Hotspur. Both sides will be looking to put the record straight this time round and return to the summit of European football, but first, they must contend with Wednesday’s electrifying matchup.
Thursday 27th February 1:00PM GMT – Golf: The Honda Classic
On the PGA Tour, the Honda Classic begins at the PGA National Golf Club in Palm Beach Springs, Florida.
The PGA Tour moves eastward to Florida for the Honda Classic. With six of the top twenty players in the world in the field, it’s going to be a memorable event. Leading the field is world number two, and hometown hero, Brooks Koepka. Koepka comes off a 43rd place finish at the Genesis Invitational two weeks ago but has the homefield advantage. Following a compelling edition of the event last year, world number 114 Keith Mitchell will be in Palm Beach to defend his title. The Honda Classic has often proven to be an unpredictable and exciting event. Be sure you don’t miss a single swing of this compelling competition.
Friday 28th February 3:30AM GMT (Saturday 29th) – Basketball: Los Angeles Clippers v Denver Nuggets
In the NBA, the Los Angeles Clippers face the Denver Nuggets at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The battle at the top of the Western Conference continues. In what will be a battle for second place, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will look to lead the Clippers past the Nuggets. Combining for 49 points a game, the two offseason acquisitions are some of the best in the west. However, they are being aided by excellent seasons from Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell. On the other side of the ball, the Nuggets continue to preach the benefits of a deep rotation. Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray lead a dangerous Denver side that shouldn’t be underestimated. With better seeding come the playoffs on the line, it’s going to be an excellent match.
Saturday 29th February 10:30PM GMT (Friday 28th) – Cricket: New Zealand v India
India’s tour of New Zealand concludes at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch with the second Test between the two sides.
With the first Test between the two sides being a comprehensive victory for New Zealand, this second Test will be a must-watch to see if India can fight back. The tour as a whole has been very even. India swept the opening T20 series before New Zealand responded by sweeping the subsequent ODI series. In the first Test, India really struggled, failing to pass 200 in either innings and New Zealand easily secured the 10 wicket victory. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson led by example, scoring 89 in the first innings whereas Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Kyle Jamieson all caught the eye with the ball. India will really have to improve in all departments to fight back in the second Test. Don’t miss this final match between these sides.
Sunday 1st March 8:00PM GMT – Football: Real Madrid v Barcelona
Real Madrid welcome rivals Barcelona to the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid for a La Liga edition of El Clásico.
Two of the biggest club sides in world football will thrash it out for more than just bragging rights on Sunday evening, as Real Madrid and Barcelona tussle for top spot in La Liga. Sunday’s visitors have had the better of this fixture in recent years and have lost just one of their last ten meetings with Los Blancos. The Catalonian giants returned to the summit of Spain’s top tier last weekend, after their bitter rivals faltered to a 1-0 defeat at Levante. However, a win for Madrid on Sunday will see them replace Barca as the league’s front-runners, demonstrating just how pivotal this fixture is. Madrid have failed to win this prestigious fixture since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure in 2018, but can they grab a much-needed win on Sunday?
Other sporting highlights from around the globe
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the ATP and WTA World Tour’s, with plenty of unmissable events taking place this week. In the Men’s game, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and Abierto Mexicano Telcel both play out this week. Meanwhile, the Women will be competing in the Qatar Total Open, where world number one Ashleigh Barty will headline the star-studded field. There is also plenty more cricket to enjoy - Australia meet South Africa on Wednesday for the 3rd T20 of the series, before India and New Zealand’s women meet in a pivotal T20 World Cup clash. England will face Pakistan and West Indies in the same competition this week, whilst Australia and South Africa’s men lock horns once again on Saturday in the 1st ODI. There is another typically hectic week of NBA action, starting with Tuesday’s offering from Toronto as the Raptors host the Milwaukee Bucks. The Utah Jazz take on the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, before the Bucks return to action on Friday to battle it out with the OKC Thunder. The weekend’s NBA action begins with a cross-Conference clash as the Celtics meet the Houston Rockets, whilst Sunday’s offering sees the Clippers take on the Philadelphia 76ers and the Denver Nuggets host the Raptors. Meanwhile, the Players Championship Snooker begins on Monday in Southport, with the final taking place on Sunday. The UEFA Champions League continues this week, with Chelsea facing Bayern Munich and Napoli entertaining Barcelona on Tuesday, before Lyon take on Juventus the following day. There is also a heavyweight clash in the Europa League on Thursday as FC Porto welcome Bayer Leverkusen to the daunting Estádio do Dragão. In the Premier League, Norwich City play Leicester City to commence the weekend’s top-flight action. The weekend sees the Final of the Carabao Cup, with surprise contenders Aston Villa challenging defending champions Manchester City. Meanwhile, Chelsea Women meet Arsenal Women at City Ground in Nottinghamshire on Saturday for the FA Women’s League Cup Final. Thursday is an exciting day for cycling fans as the UCI track Cycling World Championships begins in Berlin, with the festivities concluding on Sunday. Sale Sharks are in Premiership Rugby action on Friday as they travel to Kingsholm Stadium to take on Gloucester, whilst Bath take on Bristol Bears on Sunday. The next round of the World Rugby Men’s Sevens Series takes place in Los Angeles and gets underway on Saturday. The Toronto Wolfpack will look to pick up their first Super League win of the season as they welcome St Helens to the Halliwell Jones Stadium. The exciting Sydney SailGP will take place on the final weekend of the Australian Summer, with world-class teams battling it out for the win.
A week of world class sport awaits. Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by Liverpool Football Club; Tampa Bay Lightning; Manchester City; The Honda Classic; LA Clippers; BLACKCAPS; FC Barcelona
Written and information correct on 23rd February at 10pm GMT