Dylan Bettencourt
PICK OF THE SPORT: A shot at redemption doesn’t come around that often, but for Liverpool it has come twice in the space of one week.
➤ A failing Liverpool side had the chance to lift their season last week Sunday when they took on league leaders Arsenal but instead it was further heartache as the Reds suffered defeat.
And now just a week later Liverpool have been afforded another opportunity to show their strength when they take on Manchester City on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp and his side head into the fixture at Anfield with all the momentum after defeating Rangers 7-1 in the Uefa Champions League on Wednesday.
City however battled to maintain a 0-0 draw against FC Copenhagen on Tuesday night.
Pep Guardiola and his City team sit second on the table and will hope the Gunners fail to win in their game against Leeds.
The win in Scotland may have been exactly what Liverpool needed to kick start their season but a 9-0 win over Bournemouth earlier in the season looked to do the same and failed.
Despite a negative result midweek, City chose to rest star stiker Erling Haaland who will be relishing a chance to prove himself against Liverpool after a disastrous performance against them in the Community Shield before the season began.
The must win game for both sides will round the Premier League weekend off at 5.30pm on Sunday, with the game live on DStv channel 203.
➤ As if the Liverpool Manchester City game was not enough football entertainment, the El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona is set for Sunday.
While the infamous rivalry is not what it once was, tensions seem to have picked up between the sides who find themselves level on points at the summit of the standings.
Both teams suffered draws in the Champions League and will look for some respite by claiming the top of the leaderboard come Sunday evening.
Fans will have to switch between the two major football games on Sunday as El Clasico kicks off at 4.15pm on Sunday, live on DStv channel 204.
➤ The big rugby question this week! Can the Emirates Lions keep surprising the experts and keep up their giant killing performance? This weekend the Joburg team host Ulster – and it is possibly their biggest test in the United Rugby Championship so far. Reportedly Jaque Fourie, a former Springbok legend, has made a huge difference as Lions defensive coach supporting the very attacking Lions coach, Ivan van Rooyen. Go Lions!
The Stormers face the Ospreys and they are certainly the favourites. If they don’t drop the ball, and there is nothing to say that they will, they should get a pretty big win. But rugby is a funny old game and balls get dropped all the time. This is still no gimme.
Expect the Sharks to respond positively after the way they got handed their collective ass on a plate by Johnny Sexton and Leinster last week. They do have the advantage of playing at Kings Park Stadium, known as the Shark tank, when they face Glasgow Warriors. But, in truth, the Shark Tank has not been a fortress for a while.
Who knows what the Bulls will do when they travel to Munster? The Bulls, often a frustrating team, may end up playing a dominant match that leaves Munster no space to move, or they may play like last week – as if they have no plan and don’t care that they don’t. Don’t hold your breath.
Ospreys vs Stormers, Friday 8.35pm
Lions vs Ulster, Saturday, 2pm
Sharks vs Glasgow Warriors, Saturday, 4.05pm
Munster vs Bulls, Saturday 8.35pm
Pictured above: Darwin Nunez celebrating against Manchester City
Image source: @DarioAS
