WEEK AHEAD: Expect unrelenting drama as World Cup reaches its final week!
MONDAY
After a sometimes jaw-dropping three weeks, the World Cup final is in sight and beckoning to the superstars of the football world. As saddening as it is, there is plenty of other sport to keep us occupied for the next four years while we wait for the next tournament.
Starting on Monday, the England Test cricket team take on Pakistan in the Second Test beginning at 05:00 on Sky Sports. Will they be able to recreate the heroics of the last encounter? The break was entertaining, but it was also long, and the Championship finally returns with Sunderland taking on West Brom at 20:00 on Sky Sports. For NFL fans, there is a clash between Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots at 01:15. Catch it on Sky Sports.
TUESDAY
Tuesday kicks off with the continuation of the England v Pakistan Test at 05:00 on Sky Sports before the first of two World Cup semi-finals get underway at 19:00 on ITV it’s ARGENTINA v CROATIA.
WEDNESDAY
Ordinarily, it would be an underwhelming Wednesday with just one showing, but the calibre of the event makes up for the lack of others. The second World Cup semi-final between FRANCE v MOROCCO will be shown at 19:00 on ITV and set up the biggest football match of the year for Sunday afternoon.
THURSDAY
Thursday is busier with the Mauritius Open teeing off at 08:30 (Sky Sports) and entertaining for much of the day before the evening gets going with the World Darts Championship at 19:00 (Sky Sports). Rangers take on Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership at 20:00 on Sky Sports, and the NFL throws up another huge tie in Seattle Seahawks v San Francisco 49ers at 01:15 (Sky Sports).
FRIDAY
The Mauritius Open continues on its second day on Friday at 08:30 (Sky Sports), before the World Darts Championship kicks off at 12:00 (Sky Sports). Birmingham face Reading in the Championship at 20:00 (Sky Sports).
SATURDAY
Saturday sees the continuation of the Pakistan v England Test, with the third Test of the series getting underway at 05:00 (Sky Sports). The World Darts Championship keeps rolling at 12:00 (Sky Sports), and the Scottish Premiership presents a coming together of Aberdeen and Celtic at 12:30 on Sky Sports. The World Cup’s penultimate game kicks off with the third-place playoff (15:00, BBC), and BT Sport throws up one of the highlights of the rugby European Cup with Lyon facing Saracens at 15:15. Saturday evening offers us a good watch with Norwich v Blackburn in the Championship at 17:30 (Sky Sports).
SUNDAY
The final day of the week starts much like the last, with Pakistan v England getting started at 05:00 on Sky Sports. Luton v Millwall then graces Sky Sports at 12:00 at the same time as the World Darts Championship continues (12:00, Sky Sports). The day football fans have been anticipating for the last year finally arrives, with the Qatar 2022 World Cup Final kicking off at 15:00 on ITV and BBC. Whatever happens, it is sure to be a cracker. Closing out the evening and a vibrant week, Harlequins take on Racing 92 in the European Cup at 17:30 on BT Sport.
