Weekend Sport Preview

SBS Radio News: There is another big weekend of sport ahead, including football's A-League, Australia's opening Four Nations Rugby League match against Scotland and Formula One in Mexico.And then there is horseracing's Derby Day in Melbourne, World Series baseball and, of course, all the basketball.

Weekend Sport PreviewWeekend Sport Preview

Weekend Sport Preview

In the A-League reigning premier Adelaide United travels to Melbourne City, looking to take advantage of the home side's crowded schedule.

Melbourne City only qualified for the FFA Cup final after a tense semifinal win against the cross-town rival Melbourne Victory on Tuesday night.

The three-day turnaround could well be an advantage to Adelaide, which has won the last two meetings between the sides.

Australia's Rugby League team has its first Four Nations match against Scotland in the early hours of Saturday morning in Hull.

Compared to England and New Zealand, the Scots represent little more than a training run for coach Mal Meninga's team.

But North Queensland fullback Michael Morgan says the players do not feel that way.

Morgan will start the match against Scotland on the bench, but, asked if any players in the side would underestimate their opponents, he was quick to respond.

"If you get to pull on the Australian jersey, you want to be giving it your all and give a hundred per cent, so I think that, in itself, shows that there won't be any complacency at all, because it's not a right to wear this jersey, you have to earn it and respect it when you do get it. So, no-one's going to be wanting to get it and turn up with the wrong attitude."

In horseracing action, the Victoria Derby takes place on Saturday afternoon at Flemington, with over a million dollars in prize money on offer in the big race.

Favourite Sacred Elixir was given an excellent draw, giving its rivals more reason to be concerned.

Beach Life is also a popular choice for the race, but its trainer, Ciaron Maher, agrees being drawn on the inside barrier gives the favourite an even better chance to win.

"Sacred Elixir looks very hard to beat, looks in great order and is shaping up well for the race, drawing the pole. It's going to be very hard to beat. But, you know, he's (Beach Life is) realistically probably a top five chance, and I'm pretty happy with him."

In World Series baseball, the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs will continue their series over the weekend, with Games 3 and 4 taking place on Saturday and Sunday in Chicago.

The Cubs levelled the series with a 5-1 win in Game 2 in Cleveland.

Here is how ESPN described the moment the historic series became tied at one win apiece.

"Broke his bat, grounded to shortstop. Russell to Rizzo, and this is going back to Wrigley on Friday. Back to even."

The Cubs have provided the feel-good factor just by reaching the best-of-seven series for the first time since 1945.

If they continue their momentum from Game 2, they can edge closer to ending a 108-year wait to win baseball's biggest prize.

Cleveland, however, has not won the World Series either since 1948.

In Formula One racing, Britain's Lewis Hamilton will look to keep his title challenge against teammate and standings leader Nico Rosberg alive at the Mexico Grand Prix this weekend.

The gap is now 26 points between the pair, while Australia's rising star Daniel Ricciardo is in third place on the ladder.

The Red Bull driver Ricciardo says it is going to be difficult for Hamilton to catch Rosberg with just three races remaining.

"I think he's in a better position now to win it. It's going to take a bit more from Lewis (Hamilton). I think Lewis needs to win all the races and Nico has to have maybe one bad race. But it's going to be exciting. But I think Nico can do it."

Also this weekend, the National Basketball League continues, with the Sydney Kings looking for revenge against the Brisbane Bullets after losing to them earlier this season.

That match is at 3pm on Sunday in a game you can see on SBS.

 


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