SBS Weekend sport preview

SBS World News Radio: There's plenty of sporting action to get excited about this weekend, as John Baldock reports.

SBS Weekend sport previewSBS Weekend sport preview

SBS Weekend sport preview Source: AAP

There's plenty of sporting action to get excited about this weekend with the NRL season now underway.

As John Baldock reports, there's also the A-League, Super Rugby, and international cricket.

There's a blockbuster A-League match to look forward to tonight when third-placed Brisbane Roar takes on the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Although the Roar has been boosted by the signing of Socceroos forward Tommy Oar, he won't be available to play after only flying in from Europe three days ago.

But the match could go a long way to deciding the title, and Roar coach John Aloisi believes his side's impressive home record could be the key.

"We've got the best home record in the league and we want to keep on improving on that. And the last 6 games we've got four at home starting off with a big one tonight its a massive game for both teams and we're looking forward to it."

In the English Premier League this weekend, the big match sees Arsenal and Tottenham take part in one of the most important North London Derbies of recent years.

Both sides suffered defeats in mid-week and must win if they are to get back into title calculations.

Leaders Leicester City are away at Watford holding a three point lead over Spurs, and a six point lead on the third placed Gunners.

In Italy, leader Juventus travels to play Atalanta -- holding a three-point advantage over second-placed Napoli, which welcomes Chievo.

And in Spain, Barcelona's stranglehold at the top shows no signs of loosening when the Catalans visit struggling Rayo Vallecano.

Second-placed Atletico Madrid is also on the road at Valencia, hoping it can close the six point gap to Barcelona which also has a game in hand.

The National Rugby League is back as Round One continues over the weekend.

The reigning Premier Cowboys start the defence of thier title against the Sharks tomorrow night in Townsville.

Also in action tomorrow are the Raiders who begin their campaign at home to the Panthers and the Wests Tigers welcome the Warriors.

Tonight the Manly Sea Eagles and Bulldogs do battle at Brookvale and the match will be new Manly coach Trent Barrett's first match in charge.

He's itching for the season to get underway.

"I wish it would hurry up and come round. It seems like a lifetime since we started pre-season but my final delivery and messages need to be spot on for the team between now and the game, but its up to the boys now."

On Sunday the Roosters and Rabitohs meet and the Titans will face the Knights.

The Monday match is the Storm against the Dragons.

Australia's cricketers are in South Africa for a three match T20 series against South Africa as a warmup for the World Cup in India later this month.

The shortest form of the game hasn't been high on the agenda for Australia in recent years due to the predominance of Test and One Day cricket.

And the recent home defeat to India 3-0 highlighted Australia's need to improve.

But there were reasons for those defeats according to head coach Darren Lehmann.

"The schedule's been hard for us to put our best T20 team out but we've given young guys an opportunity which I'm really pleased about. I think the hardest thing over there is adapting to conditions really quickly, obviously we' go from South Africa to India. Hopefully south Africa are thinking the same thing and they make the wickets as close to India as they possibly can."

The opening match of the 3 match series takes place in Durban in the early hours of tomorrow.

In Super Rugby its round two this weekend, with the Crusaders and Blues kicking off tonight in New Zealand.

That match will be followed by a big match between Australian sides the Brumbies and Waratahs with both sides looking to make it two wins from two to start the season.

Tomorrow Queensland welcomes the Western Force.

And in women's golf this weekend the leading players in the world will be battling it out for the Champions event in Singapore.

Excitement is also building about the Olympics in Brazil where women's golf will make its debut.

There is however growing concern about the Zika virus.

The world number two player is South Korea's Inbee Park.

I've heard the news about the Zika virus and we just don't know exactly how it is right now and what the situation will be cause it's still six months away and It's tough because if the situation gets really really worse I don't know if it's going to be the place to hold Olympics but hopefully it stays down and hopefully it's ready to play golf.

Australia's rising star Minjee Lee will be looking to improve on her world number 16 ranking in Singapore, but the tournament favourite will be New Zealand's World number one Lydia Ko.

And finally tennis in Australia will be dominated by the first round Davis Cup tie between Australia and the United States at Melbourne's Kooyong tennis club.

The tie will conclude on Sunday.

 

 


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