For most of the sporting world, life goes back to normal this week as football hungry hordes immerse themselves in their love and joy – the English Premier League. Even though I complain about football, deep down I am excited as well. I wish there was a blockbuster on the menu for the opening weekend but we will have to make do with the London derby featuring Crystal Palace and Tottenham as the weekend’s most anticipated game. If you are looking for the upset, expect a bold showing from Swansea who host reigning champions Manchester United down in Wales.
Personally, I will be far more interested in the rugby with the Four Nations kicking off in Sydney on Saturday night. The Wallabies v the All Blacks is one of sport’s greatest rivalries. The Wallabies at home, with a new coach at the helm who happens to be an Aussie and three Tests against the Lions under their belt already should mean this is their best chance of beating the All Blacks in many years. South Africa should do it comfortably against the Argentinians in South Africa although the Pumas will be better when they play at home later in the tournament.
It is also a huge weekend in Australian Rules Football as the finals approach with seven of the nine games crucial to the make-up of the finals. The Hawks look like good things on Friday night against Collingwood and I think the Tigers will get over the top of Carlton in Saturday’s crucial match-up. With golf, rugby league and baseball to add to the mix this looks like another weekend stuck in front of the TV for Big Jim.
Good luck and good punting.
