After a huge weekend of sport last week, with Leon Edwards retaining his UFC welterweight belt against Kamaru Usman, Man City breezing through to the FA Cup semi-finals, and Carlos Alcaraz winning the prestigious Indian Wells tournament to become the number one-ranked tennis player in the world, just to name a few. So many sports are heading toward the end of their respective seasons, and the tension is building every week. Let’s take a look at this weekend’s top matchups and clashes.

Tennis: Miami Open (March 22nd-April 2nd)

The Miami Open, one of the most highly anticipated tennis tournaments of the year, is about to commence this week in Miami, Florida. The tournament will showcase some of the world's top tennis players competing for the title in the men's and women's singles and doubles events.

This year's tournament promises to be an exciting spectacle, with tennis giants like Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff all set to participate. Alcaraz, the world's top-ranked player, enters the tournament as the favourite, having just won the Indian Wells Masters tournament last week. Tsitsipas, on the other hand, is a strong player overall, but will be looking to make a statement on the hard courts before the clay season begins.

In the women's singles event, Swiatek, the current world number one, will be looking to build on her recent success at the Qatar Open. However, she faces stiff competition from other top-ranked players, including Gauff and Jessica Pegula.

UPCOMING TENNIS ON TV & STREAM

Euros Qualifying: France - Netherlands (March 24th)

After the thrilling drama of the World Cup a few months ago, international soccer moves on to the highly anticipated European Championship 2024 Qualifying stage. The match between France and Netherlands is set to take place this weekend, marking the first round of matches for this qualifying event. Fans and analysts alike are eagerly awaiting this clash of two of Europe's footballing powerhouses, as both teams look to secure their spot in the tournament.

France, the beaten World Cup finalists, will be looking to bounce back from their agonizing loss to Argentina and resume their dominant form on the international stage. Led by star player Kylian Mbappe, the French team boasts an impressive roster of talent and will be a formidable opponent the plucky Dutch squad.

On the other hand, the Netherlands will be looking to bounce back after also losing to Argentina in the World Cup, but at the quarter-final stage. The Dutch team features a number of outstanding players, including Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt, and will be hoping to make a statement in this qualifying campaign against a tough opponent.

EURO QUALIFIERS ON TV & STREAM

NBA: 76ers @ Warriors (March 25th)

This weekend's NBA showdown between the Golden State Warriors and the Philadelphia 76ers promises to be an electrifying battle between two teams that are looking to better their standing in their respective conferences before the playoffs. Fans of both teams can expect a high-energy contest filled with breathtaking plays and intense competition.

The Warriors, powered by the dynamic duo of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, have showcased their lethal shooting skills and exceptional ball movement throughout the season. Draymond Green's defensive prowess and playmaking abilities have also contributed significantly to the team's success. The Warriors' depth and experience will be crucial in this matchup against the talented 76ers squad, although they have been struggling of late, losing three of their last four games.

Philadelphia, on the other hand, boasts a formidable frontcourt led by MVP candidate Joel Embiid. The Cameroonian center has been unstoppable, dominating both ends of the court with his offensive finesse and defensive presence. The 76ers have also seen impressive performances from Tobias Harris and a revitalized James Harden, whose well-rounded skill set has elevated the team's overall play.

As the two teams clash, basketball enthusiasts should keep an eye on the individual matchups, particularly between Curry and Harden. Additionally, the battle in the paint between Embiid and Green will be a key factor in determining the game's outcome.

NBA ON TV & STREAM

NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning @ Boston Bruins (March 25th)

Finally, the NHL match-up between the Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning taking place this Saturday promises to be a thrilling battle on the ice. Both teams are well-matched, with a history of intense rivalry, making for a captivating spectacle that has the potential to get fiery.

The Bruins have been in excellent form this season, with a fantastic record of 53 wins and 11 losses, putting them in first place in the Eastern Conference standings and already qualified for the playoffs. Their formidable defensive line and powerful offense have seen them score 265 goals and concede just 150, making them a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the ice.

The Lightning, meanwhile, have also been in fine form, sitting at third place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 42 wins and 23 losses. Their high-powered offense, led by star player Steven Stamkos, has seen them score an impressive 248 goals this season. However, their defense has been leaky, and the talented Boston attack could have plenty of space to exploit.

NHL ON TV & STREAM

Author: Dan Anderson

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