This Week in Sport: 4th April − 10th April 2022

Manchester United's Kevin De Bruyne celebratesThe first full week of April is an incredibly exciting prospect for sports fans. On Monday, Kansas take on North Carolina in the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship Final. The following day, Pakistan go up against Australia in a one-off T20 game. Wednesday will see an exciting Champions League first leg meeting between defending champions Chelsea and Real Madrid. 

Later in the week, on Thursday, the 86th edition of the Masters begins as players descend on Augusta National. Friday sees Connacht take on Leinster in a hotly anticipated Champions Cup round of 16 matchup.

The weekend is also packed with exciting sport. Aintree provides a familiar venue for the Grand National on Saturday and Manchester City go up against Liverpool in an important Premier League meeting on Sunday.

 

NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship: Kansas v North Carolina

Monday 4th April 2:20AM (5th) GMT/8:20PM Local Time

Caesars Superdome, New Orleans

After an intense month of knockout competition, Kansas will go up against North Carolina in this year’s NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship final. Will UNC’s tight semi-final against Duke stand them in good stead? Or, will Kansas take the NCAA title for the fourth time?

Official Site: NCAA 

News: CBS Sports 

Blog: Rock Chalk Talk 

Blog: Tar Heel Blog 

Statistics: NCAA 

Podcast: March Madness 365 

 

Cricket: Pakistan v Australia

Tuesday 5th April 3:30PM GMT/8:30PM Local Time

Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

After Pakistan took the win over Australia in the pair’s ODI series 2-1, the visitors find themselves with an opportunity to make amends as they take on Pakistan in a one-off T20 match. Can Babar Azam’s side put on another impressive performance or will Australia bounce back from their ODI defeat and take the win? 

News: NDTV 

Statistics: ESPN Cricinfo 

Podcast: The Grade Cricketer  

Merchandise: Pakistan 

Merchandise: Australia 

News: Inside Sport 

 

UEFA Champions League: Chelsea v Real Madrid

Wednesday 6th April 7PM GMT/8PM Local Time

Stamford Bridge, London

Real Madrid travel north to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in the first leg of the pair’s Champions League quarter-final tie. Chelsea will be hoping to repeat last year’s performance against the Marid based outfit having taken the win 3-1 on aggregate in the semifinals.

Official site: UEFA

News: Express 

Games: UEFA

Podcast: Official UEFA Champions League Podcast 

Statistics: UEFA 

Videos: YouTube

 

Golf: Masters Tournament

Thursday 7th April 12PM GMT/8PM Local Time

Augusta National Golf Course, Augusta

The world’s best golfers will tee it up at Augusta National on Thursday, all hoping to get their 72 hole Masters campaigns off to a strong start. Just over a year after his horrific car accident, will Tiger Woods return to the tree lined fairways and magnolia surrounded greens of Augusta, or will the wait for fans continue?

Official site: Masters 

News: PGA Tour 

Fantasy: Masters 

News: National Club Golfer 

Podcast: No Laying Up 

News: NBC Sports

 

European Rugby Champions Cup: ​​Connacht Rugby v Leinster Rugby

Friday 8th April 7PM GMT/8PM Local Time

Galway Sportsgrounds, Galway

Connacht play host to Leinster in the first leg of their Champions Cup round of 16 tie. This all Irish derby marks the start of what will be an incredibly compelling weekend of Champions Cup action, which teams will come out on top?

Official Site: Champions Cup 

Fantasy: Superbru 

News: The EggChasers Rugby Podcast 

News: Irish Times 

Statistics: EPC Rugby  

Videos: Youtube 

 

Jump Racing: The Grand National

Saturday 9th April 4:15PM GMT/5:15PM Local Time

Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool

First run in 1839 the Grand National is a handicap steeplechase run over a distance of 4 miles and 2 and a half furlongs. It is the most valuable jump race in Europe and one that owners, jockeys and trainers are all desperate to win.

News: Racing Post 

Videos: Racing TV

News: BBC Sport 

Podcast: The Final Furlong

Betting: Bet365   

News: Telegraph

 

Premier League: Manchester City v Liverpool

Sunday 10th April 3:30PM GMT/4:30PM Local Time

City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester

With Manchester City and Liverpool sat 1st and 2nd in the Premier League table respectively, this late season match could be decisive in determining who wins this year’s title. Their last meeting saw a 2-2 draw. Who will win?

Merchandise: Manchester City

Merchandise: Liverpool 

News: BBC Sport

Statistics: Premier League

Fantasy: Fantasy Premier League

Videos: Premier League

 

Photo by: Manchester City

Written and information correct on 3rd April 2022 at 10pm GMT

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