Weekend Round-up: Cricket, Rugby, Football

Sports lovers will be spoilt for choice again this weekend -lots of action from Friday to Sunday.

The Proteas will kick off the sporting weekend in a must-win ODI match against England at Newlands this afternoon. The South Africans will have to recover from the humbling 7-wicket defeat in the second ODI – which now leaves them needing to win all three of the remaining matches to take the 5-match series. The first ODI in Johannesburg was rained out without a single ball being bowled.

Having not been named in the original ODI squad, Herschelle Gibbs was probably sipping on his Old No. 7 when he got the call to join the team, replacing the injured Jacques Kallis. The total of 250 runs that the Proteas managed to collect with the bat in the previous game was far from enough – Gibbs & Co. will have to do a lot better this time around.

Test bowler Morne Morkel has also been called up – I don’t see him cracking a place in the starting lineup though – but his lankiness will probably be useful for delivering drinks.

Prediction: South Africa to win a tight game.

Date: 27 November 2009

Time: 14h30

The Springboks play their last game of the End Of The Year Tour when they take on a very good Irish team in Dublin on Saturday. The Irish have a rugby team that can beat any team on their good day – and they will definitely give the exhausted Boks something to talk about on the flight back home.

Coach Peter De Villiers has made some changes – introducing BJ Botha at tighthead and moving skipper John Smit to hooker – in an attempt to strengthen a Bok scrum that seems to be stuck in reverse gear of late. The other notable change is the introduction of the blonde Wynand Olivier at inside centre – replacing Adi Jacobs – a decision that many biased (and unbiased) journalists will applaud.

The Irish media has been going at the Boks all week, even going as far as labeling the World Champs as “thugs”. We all know the Boks are physical side – and yes Bakkies has admitted that he enjoys inflicting a bit of pain on the opposition – but most of it is done within the limits of the laws- so the Irish will have to bring it and stop whining.

Prediction: Whew! Tough one – but I’ll pick the Springboks to shave it by 6 points – hopefully Morne Steyn will bring his kicking shoes.

Date: 28 November 2009

Time: 16h30

Last but not least – there’s a lot of FOOTBALL coming up this weekend – it’s going to be hard to keep up. (To donate a PVR – click HERE) On the local front – there’s no time to cry over milk that was spilt on Wednesday for the teams that are huffing and puffing- trying to catch up with log leaders Supersport United.

The current PSL holders will entertain Bloemfontein Celtics at Loftus this Saturday – and another win will send a clear message to the rest of the teams – that is if they haven’t read between the lines already. You have to respect Gavin Hunt and his troops- not the flashiest of teams but they sure know how to get those results- “with way less effort”.

Abroad – three very interesting derbies are going down this weekend in the English Premiership and the Spanish La Liga.

The Merseyside Derby will see Everton clashing with their troubled neighbours Liverpool – expect no cookies and tea in that party. Liverpool have recently exited from the Champions League – a competition they generally do well in – but nothing will cheer their fans up more than grabbing all three points at Goodison Park. There’s no grey area in Merseyside this weekend- just RED or BLUE.

Date: 29 November 2009 (Sunday)

Time: 15h30

Next on the list is the London Derby – log leaders Chelsea visiting Arsenal at the Emirates stadium. Chelsea is on devastating form – scoring goals from all angles – but third placed Arsenal will be a tough nut to crack.

Frank Lampard is still doubtful for the match – but Chelsea will use any of their other quality midfield players should he not pass the fitness test.

Date: 29 November 2009

Time: 15h30

Prediction: Everton 2 – Liverpool 2 / Chelsea 2 – Arsenal 1

And then – the biggest sporting event this weekend – well according to me anyway – the Spanish derby between top teams Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Camp Nou. Affectionately named “El Classico” – this is one not to miss for all football fans – what the heck – even for non-football fans.

Real Madrid have had their best start since 1991 – collecting 28 points out of a possible 33 – but Barca are right on their tails trailing by a single point.

Leo Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovich missed the midweek Champions League game against Inter Milan due to injuries – and are still doubtful for the big derby.

Barca proved that they can be just as creative without one of the best creators in the world – but the football fan in me desperately wants Messi to be back for this one.

Prediction: Barcelona 3 – Real Madrid 2

Date: 29 November 2009

Time: 20h00

Now I’ve noticed that Brown Shuga has found a new pastime – making fun of my predictions -so please drop your thoughts and back me up here- and also make your own predictions so I don’t feel like the only citizen of Loserville on Monday.