This Week in Sport: 28th October – 3rd November 2019
Another scintillating week of sport lies in wait, starting with action from the BNP Paribas WTA Finals. Tuesday sees the inaugural RugbyX competition take place at the O2. The Carabao Cup continues this week with some mouth-watering ties. There is also plenty of golf on offer with the commencement of the WGC-HSBC Champions. England’s cricketers are in T20 action on Friday as they face New Zealand. The final act of the Rugby World Cup will play out on Saturday as England and South Africa battle it out for the Webb Ellis Trophy. Finally, the United States Grand Prix will be contested on Sunday at the Circuit of the Americas.
Monday 28th October 10:30AM GMT – Tennis: WTA Finals
The season-ending WTA Finals continue at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in Shenzhen.
Get ready for another day of elite women’s tennis. Today, Karolina Plíšková faces Elina Svitolina and Bianca Andreescu plays Simona Halep. This year’s WTA Finals is widely touted as one of the best in recent memory. Andreescu versus Halep will be a battle of Grand Slam winners after Halep’s continued brilliance and Andreescu’s phenomenal breakout year. These 2019 stars meet for the first time. Meanwhile, Plíšková against Svitolina is a rematch of last year’s WTA Finals first round. Can Svitolina repeat her WTA Finals success? Don’t miss today’s action.
Tuesday 29th October 3:30PM GMT – Rugby Union: RugbyX
The first RugbyX tournament takes place at the O2 Arena in London
There is much excitement surrounding the RugbyX event which will feature the world’s best Rugby Sevens teams battling it out for the maiden title. This latest modification of the sport sees two teams of five play out a ten minute match on an indoor half-size pitch. With no half-time and no line-outs, there will be plenty of high-octane clashes involving some of the world’s most explosive players. Fixtures include England versus Ireland and Argentina versus France, with the day’s action culminating in the men’s and women’s finals. This is a unique sporting event you won’t want to miss.
Wednesday 30th October 7:30PM GMT – Football: Liverpool v Arsenal
Liverpool host Arsenal for a Carabao Cup fixture at Anfield
Liverpool are having a dominant season. They are unbeaten in the Premier League and performing well in the Champions League. Now they have a chance to continue the pursuit for a domestic sweep. They will face Arsenal, a team they beat 3-1 back in August. Arsenal will look to build consistency in cup play after a slightly inconsistent start to the season. The Gunners will look to Mesut Özil, who has recently been out of the team, to help them take down the giants that are Liverpool. Don’t miss this exciting match.
Thursday 1st November 12:00AM GMT – Golf: WGC-HSBC Champions
The final World Golf Championship event, the HSBC Champions, gets underway at the Sheshan Golf Club in Shanghai.
The World Golf Championships come to an end in Shanghai. The HSBC Champions sees 78 of the best players on the PGA, European and Asian Tours compete for the title. Can Brooks Koepka continue his amazing 2019 and secure his second WGC title? Will Xander Schauffele defend his 2018 title at the event? Justin Rose makes his 2020 PGA Tour debut at the event; can he start his campaign with a win? This is a thrilling tournament you won’t want to miss.
Friday 2nd November 1:00AM GMT – Cricket: New Zealand v England (1st T20I)
England continue a tour of a New Zealand with a T20I fixture at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Eoin Morgan will look to lead England to a strong start in the T20 portion of their New Zealand tour. They will be helped by the absence of New Zealand captain Kane Williamson. England hasn’t seen T20 action since May but will look to come back strong under new coach Chris Silverwood. New Zealand will have revenge on their mind, looking to avenge their World Cup Final loss. Both sides have named talented squads and an all-out battle can be expected.
Saturday 2nd November 9:00AM GMT – Rugby Union: Rugby World Cup Final - England v South Africa
England and South Africa face off in the Rugby World Cup Final at Yokohama’s Nissan Stadium.
After two equally impressive World Cup campaigns, these two proud sporting nations will finally cross paths in the World Cup Final at International Stadium Yokohama. England qualified for this showpiece affair after dispatching a below par New Zealand side who were inferior on the day to a dominant England team. Meanwhile, South Africa overcame Wales in the other gruelling Semi-final, setting up a tantalising final. Whilst England will be eyeing their second World Cup title, the South Africans can equal New Zealand’s record of three championships with a win on Saturday. Who will come out on top in the showpiece event of this year’s World Cup?
Sunday 3rd November 7:10PM GMT – Formula One: United States Grand Prix
The F1 season continues with the US Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.
Champion elect Lewis Hamilton will look to secure his sixth Drivers’ Championship on Sunday as the United States Grand Prix gets underway. Despite winning the Mexico GP for the third straight year, Hamilton failed to clinch the title on account of Mercedes teammate Valterri Bottas finishing third. However, no one has won this particular race more times the Englishman who will be full of confidence travelling to Texas where he will hope to become the outright second most successful driver in F1 history.
Other sports highlights from around the globe
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the ATP World Tour with action from the Rolex Paris Masters coming all week long. What could prove to be a pivotal Game 6 in the MLB World Series takes place on Tuesday with a potential Game 7 on Wednesday. The Carabao Cup Round of 16 also plays out this week with eight exciting ties, including Manchester City versus Southampton and Aston Villa versus Wolves. Chelsea and Manchester United will also meet at Stamford Bridge in the Round of 16 as the Premier League giants face off for the second time this term. In the MLS, the Cup Conference Finals will get underway as four teams battle it out for a spot in next week’s final, including Los Angeles FC and Seattle Sounders who will lock horns at Banc of California Stadium. Australia entertain Sri Lanka in the conclusion of their T20I series. There is plenty more cricket for fans to sink their teeth into at the weekend, as England continue their tour of New Zealand, India host Bangladesh in the 1st T20I, whilst Australia take on Pakistan also in the 1st T20I. In the NBA, the Milwaukee Bucks face the Toronto Raptors. In the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers will travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals where they’ll look to extend their impressive start to the campaign. The New England Patriots will look to tighten their stranglehold on the AFC East as they take on the Ravens in Baltimore, whilst the Kansas City Chiefs do battle with Minnesota Vikings. There is Premiership Rugby action too with Northampton Saints taking on Harlequins at Franklin’s Gardens. Two heavyweights of the NCAA College Football game will meet in an epic contest this weekend as Florida welcome Georgia to the TIAA Bank Field. Premier League fans will be treated to another full fixture list next weekend, with Tottenham’s trip to Everton headlining the action. Meanwhile, Manchester City will look to keep the pressure on Liverpool as they welcome Southampton to the Etihad whilst Crystal Palace entertain a high-flying Leicester City side. One of the jewels in the crown of the Athletics calendar also takes place at the weekend as the New York City Marathon gets underway. In Boxing, Sergey Kovalev defends his light heavyweight title against Canelo Alvarez. The week concludes with an unmissable offering from the world of MotoGP as the Malaysian Grand Prix is contested at the Sepang International Circuit.
A week of world class sport awaits. Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
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Photos by WTA Tennis, RugbyX, Liverpool, PGA Tour, ICC Cricket, England Rugby, Formula 1
Written and information correct on 27th October at 10pm GMT