By Dylan Bettencourt
Sports Editor
PICK OF THE SPORT: Manchester City will be praying that lowly Everton can defeat Arsenal in this weekend’s Premier League action.
Pep Guardiola and his men are currently five points behind league leaders Arsenal, who still have a game in hand.
And this weekend, the entire blue half of Manchester will be hoping the new-manager boost for Everton can spring an upset.
Sean Dyche was appointed the new Everton manager after Frank Lampard got the sack last week.
Everton sit in 19th spot on the table – only winning three games in their 20 played so far. The Merseyside club needs a miracle.
But in football anything is possible, and Arsenal will still be looking over their shoulder despite being in red hot form.
Everton taking on Arsenal will kick the weekend off at 2.30 pm on Saturday, live on DStv channel 203.
When City take to the field against tricky opponents Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, they will know the Arsenal result – but will that affect them?
Spurs currently occupy fifth spot in the standings and are still in with a chance of qualifying for the Uefa Champions League.
However, City need to win and have the capacity to bulldoze anything or anyone that stands in their way.
Spurs will be without their manager, Antonio Conte, who took time off for his gallbladder to be removed earlier this week.
City and Spurs will end the weekend on Sunday at 6.30 pm, live on DStv channel 203.
- There is only one United Rugby Championship match this weekend – but it’s a big one. The Sharks host the Stormers in Durban on Saturday.
To the rest of the world, it’s just another URC match, but to South African fans, it’s like an olden days Currie Cup final. Natal versus the Western Province. Two of the most respected coaches in the URC are involved. The reserved and measured Neil Powell up against the flamboyant John Dobson. A match too close to call.
The fixture will kick off at 2 pm on Saturday, live on DStv channel 201 and 211.
- It will be a historic upset if any of the three Six Nations matches go against the forecasts. Ireland should beat Wales, but don’t laugh off Warren Gatland’s Wales just yet. Leigh Halfpenny has withdrawn due to a back spasm, and now we’ll never know if it’s a disaster or a blessing for Wales.
They kick off at 4.15 pm on Saturday afternoon.
England should beat Scotland. But how organised will Steve Borthwick’s England be? In addition to the eight changes in the England line-up, we will find out if Marcus Smith at number 10 and skipper Owen Farrell at centre works. That game kicks off right after at 6.45 pm.
France will beat Italy – unless the French fall asleep halfway through the second half. And if New Zealander Kieran Crowley has given his Italian team one thing, it’s a fighting spirit. The final fixture takes place on Sunday at 5 pm.
This weekend is not a braai with a huge rump steak and beer – this is rugby with a tender fillet steak and a robust red on the side.
All the action will be live on DStv channel 201 and 211.
- Orlando Pirates host runaway league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday afternoon.
Sundowns are on a 14-match winning streak and sit pretty at the top of the table with a 21-point lead.
Pirates are in fourth spot and go into the fixture as massive underdogs, but a win could take them level on points with Richards Bay in second spot.
The game kicks off at 3.30 pm on Saturday, live on DStv channel 202.
Pictured above: Manchester City take on Tottenham Hotspur
Image source: Manchester City
