Best Sports on TV and Stream this Weekend (August 4-7, 2023)
While Formula 1 takes a break and the NBA and NFL seasons are still in their summer slumbers, the European soccer season makes its roaring comeback this weekend, with the English Community Shield match kicking off a mouthwatering season of action.
Elsewhere, there is the return of social media megastar Jake Paul to the boxing ring, the beginning of the knockout round of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and much more. We have a truly special weekend lined up for us, so let’s check out what we have in store.
ATP Tour: Mubadala Citi Open (July 31st - August 6th)
This week, the tennis tour makes its way to the hard courts, with the US Open just under a month away. The Mubadala Citi Open in Washington, DC, is the first chance for players to test their abilities at a big hard-court tournament in the States since before the clay-court season, and there are plenty of big names lining up to stake their claim to be one of the dark horses for the US Open.
World number 9 Taylor Fritz is undoubtedly the favorite for the title, showing excellent form on hard courts in the past few years. He just won the title at the Atlanta Open, beating tricky Australian Aleksandar Vukic in the final, and will be coming to DC filled with confidence.
Ranked 12th in the world, Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime is the main man looking to stop Frtiz from winning the trophy and stake his own claim to be a man to watch at the final Grand Slam of the year. His combination of accurate serving and powerful groundstrokes should be a fearsome match for anyone this week, and he will have high hopes of being triumphant.
A more heartwarming victory would come if tennis legend Andy Murray could follow up his encouraging performances on the grass courts with a deep run here. After a series of horrific injuries and career-saving surgeries, Murray has never quite reached the levels of his peak, where he was part of the ‘Big 4’ alongside Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
He is desperately trying to get back inside the top 32 to be seeded at the biggest tournaments, and this week could be his chance to move up in the rankings if he does well.
FIFA Women’s World Cup: Japan vs. Norway (August 5th)
After some fantastic performances all throughout the group stage, Japan cemented their status as one of the dark horses for the World Cup trophy with a 4-0 demolition of Spain in their final group game to top Group C and set up a round-of-16 clash with pre-tournament contenders Norway.
The Norwegians have had a strong team for years, but they finished second to Switzerland in Group A after only recording 1 win in 3 games. Something’s not quite clicking for them at the moment, and they’re going to have to find answers fast after drawing and losing their last two games.
The Japanese team has been imperious, with 11 goals scored and none conceded in their 3 group games, and if they carry on their dominant form against Norway, be sure to see them considered one of the favorites for the trophy.
➡️ WOMEN'S WORLD CUP ON TV & STREAM
Boxing: Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz (August 5th)
The boxing world has been split on the Jake Paul story in recent years, with the former Disney channel and current YouTube star making a name for himself in the sport by fighting social media stars, former NBA players, and retired MMA stars. His most impressive win was undoubtedly a points win over UFC legend Anderson Silva, who was known for his striking and has also had a few boxing bouts since his retirement from the Octagon.
However, Silva was 47 at the time of that win, and when Paul stepped up to finally face a legitimate boxer in Tommy Fury, the younger brother of heavyweight king Tyson, he was defeated by split decision in a chastening loss that showed how far he still has to go.
He has since claimed that he wants a rematch, and he still has his sights set on a world title belt, but this weekend he goes back to old ways and takes on retired UFC fighter Nate Diaz, albeit a far bigger star than any he had taken on before. This feels like a step back for Paul’s ambitions, but there’s no denying that this is a bigger fight in terms of PPV potential than any other he has had up to now.
He will be the favorite to stop a 38-year-old Diaz, but Diaz was famed in the Octagon for his durability and iron chin, so if this fight goes into the later rounds, he could spring an upset and down Paul for the second fight in a row. Whatever happens, it’ll be an exciting spectacle.
➡️ JAKE PAUL VS. NATE DIAZ ON TV & STREAM
FA Community Shield: Arsenal vs. Manchester City (August 6th)
And finally, the return of the English soccer season is here with the FA Community Shield clash between last year’s standout teams, Arsenal and Manchester City. The Community Shield usually takes place between the winner of the Premier League and the winner of the FA Cup, but considering Manchester City won both on route to a historic treble, the runner-up of the Premier League (Arsenal) gets the chance to kick off the showpiece event instead.
Arsenal will be looking to exact revenge on a City side that demolished them 4-1 in April to continue their run to the title, and will also be looking to show their fans that they have learned from their chastening collapse last season when they looked in prime position to claim their first PL title for almost 20 years.
Their $131 million purchase of West Ham starlet Declan Rice was a statement to show that they really mean business and they want to stay at the top of the league after their surprise breakout year last year.
However, they do come up against an absolute machine in Manchester City, having won the Champions League along with their domestic double last season. City has lost stars Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez, and rumors are circling around Bernardo Silva and Kalvin Phillips, just to name two. However, their team is still one of the best we’ve seen in English soccer, and they will rightly be considered favorites for this clash.
➡️ FA COMMUNITY SHIELD ON TV & STREAM
Author: Dan Anderson