WEEK AHEAD: A brilliant week of sport sees the beginning of the Ashes, the final Grand Prix of a pulsating season and the conclusion of the Champions League and Europa League group stages.
Premier League action to get things underway on Monday, with under-fire manager Rafa Benitez seeking some respite after his Everton side were outclassed in the Merseyside Derby, when Arsenal visit Goodison at 20:00 (Sky Sports). In the NFL, form team the New England Patriots are up against the Buffalo Bills as the race for the play-offs begins to heat up.
On Tuesday, Man City travel to RB Leipzig (17:45) and Liverpool are away to AC Milan (20:00) with both sides safe in the knowledge that they have already secured promotion and top spot in their groups. Catch both games live on BT Sport. Later in the evening there’s a big event to look forward to as play get underway in the first Test of the 2021/22 Ashes series from The Gabba in Brisbane. The action begins at 23:00 on Sky Sports.
The Champions League group stage concludes on Wednesday and Chelsea and Man United are already assured of qualification, but both need a positive result to ensure they finish on top of their groups. The Blues face Zenit St Petersburg in a 17:45 kick-off, while United welcome Young Boys to Old Trafford at 20:00 on BT Sport. Day 2 from Brisbane gets underway from the slightly later time of 23:30.
In Thursday’s Europa League 17:45 kick-offs Rangers face Lyon, while Leicester go into a crucial tie with Napoli knowing that a draw will be enough to secure qualification. At 20:00 West Ham take on Dynamo Zagreb, while Celtic, who have already exited the competition, face Real Betis. In the Conference League, Tottenham need a win against group leaders Rennes. The first Test continues at 23:30, but if you fancy something harder hitting there’s always the Pittsburgh Steelers v Minnesota Vikings from 01:20 on Sky Sports.
Watford’s confidence will be buoyed by a good performance against Chelsea recently and they make the short journey to Brentford for a 20:00 Friday kick-off (Sky Sports).
Saturday’s Premier League action begins with Man City v Wolves at 12:30 on BT Sport. The later clash between Norwich and Man United (17:30, Sky Sports) will make for interesting viewing as the Red Devils begin to settle down to life with Ralf Rangnick at the wheel. In the Ashes the final day of the first Test draws to a close from 23:30 on BT Sport. By this point England’s resolve is likely to have been soundly tested as they look to overcome their poor record at The Gabba, a ground where they have won only two Test matches since 1945.
On Sunday, Abu Dhabi is the scene of what could be one of the greatest finales to a F1 Drivers’ Championship in some time, as Lewis Hamilton seeks to chase down long-time leader Max Verstappen. Don’t miss a lap, by tuning into Sky Sports from 13:00. Newcastle’s situation is getting desperate and Leicester are not the sort of opposition that Eddie Howe would have been hoping for, when they match up at 14:00 on Sky Sports. Crystal Palace v Everton follows on the same channel at 16:30. There’s still no end to the action however, as we head State-side for the Chicago Bears v Green Bay Packers (01:20, Sky Sports), followed by a big fight live (02:00, Sky Sports) from Madison Square Garden as former unified lightweight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko steps into the ring against Richard Commey.
