Dylan Bettencourt
PICK OF THE SPORT: After a stoppage for the Queen’s funeral and an international break, Premier League football is back with a bang.
➤ Football fans have been deprived of blockbuster action during September as the death of Queen Elizabeth II saw fixtures being postponed. After that, an international break left fans only wanting more.
To start the new month, fans are in for a weekend of thrilling action both locally and internationally.
In Premier League action the weekend kicks off with a North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
Only one point separates the neighbours with Arsenal sitting at the top and Spurs occupying third spot.
Both teams are in incredible form with the bragging rights so important this early in the season.
Arsenal will host Spurs on Saturday afternoon with kickoff set for 1.30pm, live on DStv channel 203.
And there is only one thing better than one derby, two derbies. As if the North London derby was not enough, the Manchester derby takes place on Sunday.
While the clash in Manchester may not be as closely contested, Manchester United are a team on the rise and will look to upset their noisy neighbours.
Manchester City on the other hand will need a win if they want to climb to the top of the table but United last tasted defeat in the Premier League back in the second week of August.
Two of the biggest derbies in English football in one weekend is a rare occasion and fans will undoubtedly be treated to edge of the seat action.
The Manchester derby is set for 3pm on Sunday afternoon with the action live on DStv channel 203.
➤ The MTN8 semi-finals are set for this weekend with Orlando Pirates taking on Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday. Kaizer Chiefs face AmaZulu on Sunday.
In form Pirates take on a Sundowns team that are not up to full speed just yet, which presents a unique opportunity for the Soweto giant to cause an upset.
It is only the first leg of the ties but both the Soweto giants perhaps go into their fixtures as favourites to get the upper hand before the second-legs at the end of the month.
Pirates take on Sundowns at 3.30pm on Saturday afternoon with Chiefs hosting AmaZulu at the same time on Sunday.
Both MTN8 semi-finals will be live on DStv channel 202.
➤ Formula 1 makes a return after two weeks and this weekend Max Verstappen could be crowned champion once again.
Verstappen won his first drivers championship in Abu Dhabi in the final race of the season last year but this time he could do it in Singapore with several races left. If the Red Bull driver wins and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finishes seventh or lower on Sunday, Verstappen will be champion again.
The race is set for 2pm on Sunday afternoon with the race live on DStv channel 215.
➤ With test rugby taking a break for some weeks, the United Rugby Championship steps into the spotlight for the second week. As the URC involves teams from both Europe and South Africa this is the time when local teams, and especially local players who are not seen in the national team, can shine.
Last week Evan Roos scored a spectacular try for the Stormers and the Bulls’ Chris Smith clearly showed that he has matured enormously and could very well be backup at flyhalf for Handré Pollard in the end of the year Bok-tour to Europe.
Bulls vs Connacht, Loftus Versfeld, Friday 6.30pm
Cardiff vs Lions, Cardiff Arms Park, Friday 8.30pm
Stormers vs Edinburgh, Cape Town Stadium, Saturday 2pm Dragons vs Sharks, Rodney Parade Newport Saturday 8.30pm All the URC action will be live on DStv channel 211.
Image source: @GettyImages
