This Week in Sport: 7th – 13th October 2019
Get ready for some unmissable sport. The undefeated San Francisco 49ers host the Cleveland Browns in the NFL. The top talent in men’s tennis compete at the Shanghai Masters. Wales look to continue their impressive Rugby World Cup campaign against Fiji. Golf’s Rolex Series returns as the European Tour continues with the Italian Open. Baseball’s Championship Series gets underway for what will be an unmissable series. St Helens and Salford clash in the Super League Grand Final. Japan looks to finish the Rugby World Cup pool stage undefeated as they face Scotland.
Monday 7th October 12:15AM GMT (Tuesday 8th) – American Football: San Francisco 49ers v Cleveland Browns
In the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers host the Cleveland Browns at Levi’s Stadium.
Coming off their bye week, San Francisco are the last undefeated team in the NFC. They will look to go 4-0 against a strong Cleveland side. Though 2-2, the Browns have improved as the season has progressed. They also come off a dominant win over their divisional rivals, the Ravens. Their biggest asset has been second-year running back Nick Chubb. However, will his dominance continue against a team that has had such a good run defence? Can the 49ers maintain their best start in years?
Tuesday 8th October 4:30AM GMT – Tennis: Rolex Shanghai Masters Day 3
The ATP’s Shanghai Masters continue at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai.
The early stages of the Shanghai Masters continues. With many of the top names in men’s tennis in contention, it’s sure to be an exciting tournament. Can Novak Djokovic defend his 2018 title and win his fifth overall at the tournament? Roger Federer has only won three titles this year, can he bounce back and win big in Shanghai? Andy Murray performed well in Beijing last week, can he make a repeat performance here? Or will one of the sports’ young stars pull off a win?
Wednesday 9th October 9:45AM GMT – Rugby Union: Wales v Fiji
Wales and Fiji play a crucial game in the Rugby World Cup at Ōita’s Showa Denko Dome.
Fiji will be looking to become the first team to defeat Wales at this year’s World Cup when the two nations meet at Oita Stadium on Wednesday morning. Fiji currently sit third in Pool D having won just once so far, and they cannot afford to lose against a Welsh side who currently reside two points clear of them in the standings. With a win on Wednesday, Wales will return to the top of the pool as they begin to turn their attentions to the knockout stages.
Thursday 10th October 8:00AM GMT – Golf: Italian Open Day 1
The European Tour’s Rolex Series continues with the Italian Open at Olgiata Golf Club in Rome.
The fifth Rolex Series event of the 2019 Race to Dubai plays out this week as the Italian Open begins on Thursday morning at Olgiata Golf Club in the Italian capital. In this 76th edition of the famous tournament, some of the world’s greatest players will battle it for the lion’s share of the $7 million purse. Home crowd favourite Francesco Molinari will be part of the star-studded field this week, with the Italian eyeing his third title at this competition, having last reigned supreme back in 2016.
Friday 11th October TBC - Baseball: National League Championship Series Game 1
The Championship Series begins in the MLB.
After the National League Divisional Series conclude earlier in the week, we are in for a thrilling edition of the NLCS. Will the Los Angeles Dodgers contend for their third National League pennant in a row? Or will it be the Washington Nationals playing in their first NLCS since 1981, back when they were the Montreal Expos? Can Atlanta’s young core come through? Or will they fall to the St Louis Cardinals, who worked so hard to get here? The continuation of an incredibly competitive NL postseason is something you won’t want to miss.
Saturday 12th October 5:00PM GMT – Rugby League: Super League Grand Final - St Helens v Salford
St Helens and Salford face off at Old Trafford in the Super League Grand Final.
The showpiece of this Super League season will take place at Old Trafford on Saturday when St Helens will battle it out with Salford for the coveted trophy. Whilst St Helens will be competing for their sixth Super League title, Salford will be making their first ever Grand Final appearance which could prove to be a crucial factor on the day. However, having defeated Wigan in the Preliminary Final, Salford have already upset the odds and they will hope to cap off what has been a remarkable year for the club with a win on Saturday night. In their way will be a St Helens side who ran away with the league this year, winning 26 of 29 games.
Sunday 13th October 10:45AM GMT – Rugby Union: Japan v Scotland
Japan and Scotland play a vital Rugby World Cup match at the Nissan Stadium in Yokohama.
In a pool featuring Ireland, few imagined that Japan would go 4-0. However, the tournament hosts come into their final game on the edge of doing just that. Backed by their enthusiastic fans, Japan have shone. For Scotland however, this is a must-win match. If all goes well, they can challenge for a place in the knockout stage in this final game. They will have to contend with a feisty Japanese offence. Can Scotland stop Japan’s momentum and continue their tournament run?
Other sports highlights from around the globe
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the WNBA. The Connecticut Sun and Washington Mystics will play a potentially series-deciding Game 4 on Tuesday. If it is needed, Game 5 will be played on Thursday. In the MLB. The League Divisional Series continue until Thursday. The League Championship Series occupy the weekend. In cricket, the second Test between India and South Africa begins in Pune. The Caribbean Premier League concludes with the Final on Saturday. The World Artistic Gymnastics Championships continue in Stuttgart. In darts, the BoyleSports World Grand Prix continues in Dublin. The ATP Shanghai Masters runs until Sunday while the pool stage of the Rugby World Cup concludes in Japan. England against France and South Africa versus Canada are some of the highlights. There is plenty of NFL to enjoy - the Patriots hosts the Giants on Thursday and the Rams host the 49ers on Sunday. While in college football, LSU will face Florida. The F1 season continues in Japan. There is plenty of football action as well. The Netherlands face Northern Ireland in Euro 2020 qualifying while Germany host Argentina in a friendly.
A week of world class sport awaits. Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
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Photos by NFL, Shanghai Masters, Welsh Rugby Union, European Tour, MLB, Super League, Japan Rugby
Written and information correct on 6th October at 10pm GMT